CNN
–
Kristi Alley, a star of the big and small screen known for her Emmy-winning roles on such films as “Cheers” and “Look Who’s Talking,” has died after a brief battle with cancer, her children True and Lily Parker said. announced about him. social media.
She was 71 years old.
“We are saddened to announce that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, which was recently diagnosed,” the statement read.
“She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with the never-ending joy of her life and the certainty of whatever adventures lie ahead,” the family’s statement continued. ” the family’s statement continued. “As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more wonderful mother and grandmother.”
“Our mother’s zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren and her many animals, not to mention the eternal joy of her creations, were unmatched and allowed us to live life to the fullest,” the statement said. inspire as he did,” the statement said.
Christy Alley’s Sexy Spin on ‘DWTS’
A representative for Ellie confirmed to CNN via email on Tuesday that she had been diagnosed with colon cancer before her death.
A two-time Primetime Emmy Award winner, Alley was born in 1951 in Wichita, Kansas.
After a breakthrough role in 1982’s “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” he had roles in 1984’s “Blind Date” and 1987’s “Summer School” opposite Mark Harmon.
That same year, Ellie would follow Shelley Long to the lead role opposite Ted Danson in the latter part of the TV classic sitcom “Cheers,” which premiered in 1982. Ellie first appeared in 1987, playing the strong and independent bar manager Rebecca Howe. Acclaimed show until it ended in 1993.
After winning an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for “Cheers” in 1991 and another for Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Special for 1994’s “David’s Mother,” she starred in the late ’90s series “Veronica’s.” Achieved TV success again with “Closet”. ”, which earned her another Emmy nod.
Christy Alley’s life in pictures
Additionally, Ellie starred in several memorable films, such as the “Look Who’s Talking” films, 1990’s “Madhouse” and 1999’s “Drop Dead Gorgeous” with Alan Barkin.
In 2005, Ellie co-wrote and starred in the Showtime comedy “Fat Actress” before moving into reality TV.
She appeared on “Kirsty Alley’s Big Life” in 2010, was a contestant on season 12 of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” the following year, and in 2018 was runner-up on season 22 of the British version of “Celebrity Big Brother”. . In 2022. , she competed in season 7 of Fox’s “The Masked Singer.”
Although he had an impressive body of work, the latter part of his career was marked by Alley’s tendency to stir up controversy, Especially through social media.
In a 2007 interview, Ellie said that she was proud of the fact that she had no inhibitions.
“I’ve always felt that if someone asks me something, they want a real answer,” Ellie told Good Housekeeping. “I think there’s something about being from Kansas, too. People usually think I’m from New York. The only similarity between New Yorkers and Midwesterners is that what you see is what you get.
Christie Alley looks back on her ‘Cheers’ years (2005).
John Travolta, who worked with Ellie on the 1989 hit “Look Who’s Talking” as well as two sequels, wrote Instagram On Monday, “Kirsty was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had. I love you Kirsty. I know we will see each other again. ”
Jamie Lee Curtis — who worked with Ellie on episodes of TV’s “Scream Queens” in 2016 — shared a statement on Facebook to pay tribute to the late actress, writing, “She was a wonderful comic foil on @tvscreamqueens and Was a beautiful mama bear. Her real life. She helped me buy things for my family that year for Christmas. We agreed to disagree on some things but had a mutual respect and connection. Sad news.”
Josh Gad tweeted, “My heart is broken for Kirsty and her family. Was it her brilliance in ‘Cheers’; Or his magnetic performance in the ‘Look Who’s Talking’ franchise, his smile was always contagious, his laugh was always contagious and his charisma was always iconic. RIP.”
Ellie’s “Cheers” co-star Ted Danson explained deadline He saw Ellie in an episode of the show while on a plane before learning of her death.
“I was on the plane today and did something I rarely do. I watched an old episode of ‘Cheers,'” Danson told the outlet. “It was the episode where Tom Berenger proposes to Kirstie, who keeps saying no, even though she desperately wants to say yes. Truly brilliant. Her ability to play a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown was moving and hysterically funny.
“He made me laugh 30 years ago when he shot that scene, and he still makes me laugh today. As soon as I got off the plane, I heard that Kirsty had died. I’m so sad and so grateful for all the times he made me laugh,” Danson added. “I send my love to her children. As they well know, their mother had a heart of gold. I will miss him. ”
Another “Cheers” star, Rhea Perlman, told CNN in a statement that she and Ellie became instant friends on the “Cheers” set.
“Kirsty was a unique and wonderful person and friend. The joy of being her was endless,” Perlman said. “When she joined the cast of Cheers we became friends almost immediately. She loved children and my children loved her too. We had bedrooms at his house, along with a treasure hunt that he built. He threw massive Halloween and Easter parties and invited the entire crew of the show and their families. She wanted everyone to feel included. She loved her children with all her heart. I have never met anyone remotely like him. I feel so grateful to have known him. I will miss him very much. ”
“Baywatch” actor Parker Stevenson, who was married to Ellie from 1983 to 1997 and is the father of her two children, also paid tribute to her on social media. In an Instagram post, a representative for the actor confirmed it to be Stevenson, he wrote: “Kirsty, I am so grateful for our years together, and for two incredibly beautiful children and now our grandchildren. You will be missed. ”
