Kirstie Alley died after a brief battle with cancer, her children announced on social media. Alley was a two-time Primetime Emmy Award winner for her role on “Cheers” She also starred in films like “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” and “Look Who’s Talking” Alley was married to her second husband, Parker Stevenson, from 1983 to 1997. She also appeared in the cult classic “Drop Dead Gorgeous” with Denise Richards and Kelly Preston in 1999. She was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999 and won a People’s Choice Award in 1997 for “Veronica’s Closet” for Favorite Female New Television Series. She is survived by her two children, True and Lillie Parker, and her husband Parker Stevenson. She had been diagnosed with colon cancer prior to her death, a representative for Alley confirmed to HLN on Tuesday. The actress was born in Wichita, Kansas, and died at the age of 71, according to a statement from her family on her social media site, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. “She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead,” the family’s statement read. “As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother,” the statement continued. “Our mother’s zest and passion for life were unparalleled and leave us inspired to live life to the fullest just as she did,” said the statement from Alley’s daughter, True Parker, who is also a star of the hit TV show “Dancing with the Stars” The couple was married for more than 20 years and have two children together, True, 5, and Lillian, 4. Alley is also survived by a husband, Peter Stevenson, and a daughter, Lillian Parker, 3. She has a son, True Jr., and a step-daughter, Lilli Parker, both of whom are also stars of the TV series “The Goldbergs” and the movie “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” The actress is also the mother of a son named True Jr. and daughter-in-law, Lillies Parker, 2. She won an Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series in 1991 for ‘Cheers’ and another for lead Actress in a miniseries or special for 1994’s “David’s Mother” Alley also won a Emmy for her performance in the TV movie “Madhouse” in 1991. Her husband, Burt Reynolds, won a best actor Emmy for his role in “Evening Shade” in 1994. She appeared in several films, including “Blind Date” in 1984 and “Summer School” with Mark Harmon in 1987. Alley also appeared on “The Godfather” in the early ’90s, playing the role of Rebecca Howe, a bar manager on the hit NBC TV show. Her second hit show, “The Veronica” debuted in 1997 and won her another Emmy nod in 1998.
Kirstie Alley, the actress who starred in the TV series “Cheers” and the film “Veronica’s Closet,” has died at the age of 71.
