Kirstie Alley, who starred in several films and television series for over four decades, has passed away. She was 71.
The Emmy-winning actress’s two children announced the news, noting she died from cancer. They also confirmed to People that their mother passed away on Monday.
In a statement to the magazine, Alley’s two children said they are “sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce, and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered.”
It is also shared that the “Cheers” actress “was surrounded by her closest family,” adding that she “fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead,” as per the publication.
The same statement also says, “As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.”
Kirstie Alley’s two children also posted the statement on her official social media accounts.
In one part of the announcement, they recalled the “Look Who’s Talking” actress’s “zest and passion for life,” alongside her “children, grandchildren, and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating.” They noted that these “were unparalleled,” adding that they also leave them “inspired to live life to the fullest just as she did.”
Elsewhere in the statement, which serves as the caption of the post, Alley’s two children expressed their gratitude to the “incredible” doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center. They also thanked everyone for their “love and prayers,” before asking the public to respect their privacy “at this difficult time.”
Variety recalled in a recent report that Kirstie Alley began her career in the film industry in 1982. It noted that she starred in several more films and series in the following years, including the 1987 hit comedy “Summer School,” where she played opposite Mark Harmon.
The publication continued that the actress joined the cast of “Cheers” when she replaced Shelley Long during the same year. She won her first Emmy for the role years later, and another win for a different material in 1994.
Some of the other prominent titles she worked on include “Veronica’s Closet,” “Fat Actress,” and “Look Who’s Talking,” in which she co-starred with John Travolta.
As for her more recent works on screen, Kirstie Alley competed in “Dancing With The Stars” and came in second in 2011. She also had her own show, “Kirstie,” which ran for one season.
In 2016, the Emmy-winning actress, whom Variety said to have worked steadily over the years, joined the cast of “Scream Queens” for its second season. She also appeared as Baby Mammoth on the seventh installment of “The Masked Singer" earlier this year.