Remembering Kirstie Alley: The 'Cheers' star's life and career in photos

Eve CrosbieDec 6, 2022, 19:14 IST

Kirstie Alley, best known for her role in the sitcom "Cheers," died at the age of 71 on Monday.NBC/Getty Images

Kirstie Alley died at age 71 from cancer, her family confirmed in a statement posted to Twitter.
The actor was best known for her roles in the sitcom "Cheers" and the film "Look Who's Talking."

Kirstie Alley was born on January 12, 1951, in Wichita, Kansas, to parents Robert Deal Alley and Lillian Alley.

Kirstie Alley at a photo shoot at her home in Los Angeles, California, in 1970.Brad Elterman/FilmMagic/Getty Images

She got her first taste of fame by appearing as a contestant on game shows "Match Game" and "Password Plus" before deciding to give acting a go.

She made her movie debut in 1982 in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan."

Kirstie Alley as Lieutenant Saavik and William Shatner as Admiral James T. Kirk in the movie, "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" (1982).CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

The same year, she met her second husband, Parker Stevenson, in a bar. The couple wed in 1983. She was previously married to her high-school sweetheart.

Kirstie Alley and Parker Stevenson in 1982, a year before they wed.Betty Galella/Getty Images

She then starred in the 1985 ABC miniseries "North and South" opposite Patrick Swayze. She wrote in her memoir that the two had an "immediate attraction" but did not pursue an affair as they were both married.

Patrick Swayze and Kirstie Alley in "North and South."ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images

She then starred in the 1985 ABC miniseries "North and South" opposite Patrick Swayze. She wrote in her memoir that the two had an "immediate attraction" but did not pursue an affair as they were both married.

Two years later, she starred opposite Mark Harmon in the hit comedy "Summer School," which grossed over $35 million in the United States.

Kirstie Alley and Mark Harmon in "Summer School."Paramount Pictures

Alley then landed her breakthrough role in the smash hit NBC sitcom "Cheers" in 1987. She was cast as the replacement for Shelley Long and remained with the show until its 11th and final season.

The cast of "Cheers" pose for a portrait in Los Angeles, California.Aaron Rapoport/Getty Images

Alley then landed her breakthrough role in the smash hit NBC sitcom "Cheers" in 1987. She was cast as the replacement for Shelley Long and remained with the show until its 11th and final season.

In 1989, Alley starred with John Travolta in "Look Who's Talking," which was followed by two sequels in 1990 and 1993. She later described Travolta as the "greatest love" of her life, even though they were not romantically involved.

John Travolta and Kirstie Alley in "Look Who's Talking."TriStar Pictures/Getty Images

In 1989, Alley starred with John Travolta in "Look Who's Talking," which was followed by two sequels in 1990 and 1993. She later described Travolta as the "greatest love" of her life, even though they were not romantically involved.

After two nominations for her work on "Cheers," in 1988 and 1990, she finally won an Emmy in 1991.

Kirstie Alley at the 43rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 1991.Jim Smeal/Getty Images

Alley and Stevenson would later divorce in 1997 but welcomed son True in 1992 and daughter Lillie in 1995, both via adoption following a devastating miscarriage.

Kirstie Alley with children Lillie Price and William True in 2010.Jim Spellman/Getty Images

She won a second Emmy for the 1994 television film "David's Mother."

Kirstie Alley attends the 46th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 11, 1994.Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Alley received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in 1995 for her contributions to the film industry.

Kirstie Alley received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1995.Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

From 1997 to 2000 she starred in the sitcom "Veronica's Closet" alongside Kathy Najimy and Lorri Bagley.

Kirstie Alley, Kathy Najimy, and Lorri Bagley in a publicity photo for "Veronica's Closet."NBC/Getty Images

She competed and came second on the 12th season of "Dancing With the Stars" in 2011.

Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy on "Dancing With the Stars."Adam Taylor/Getty Images

She made her final television appearance seven months ago when she appeared on season seven of "The Masked Singer" as Baby Mammoth.

Host Nick Cannon and Kirstie Alley in "The Masked Singer."FOX/Getty Images

An ultimate guide to the 25 best holiday movies of all time

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Remembering Kirstie Alley: The 'Cheers' star's life and career in photos

Kirstie Alley was born on January 12, 1951, in Wichita, Kansas, to parents Robert Deal Alley and Lillian Alley.

She got her first taste of fame by appearing as a contestant on game shows "Match Game" and "Password Plus" before deciding to give acting a go.

She made her movie debut in 1982 in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan."

The same year, she met her second husband, Parker Stevenson, in a bar. The couple wed in 1983. She was previously married to her high-school sweetheart.

She then starred in the 1985 ABC miniseries "North and South" opposite Patrick Swayze. She wrote in her memoir that the two had an "immediate attraction" but did not pursue an affair as they were both married.

Two years later, she starred opposite Mark Harmon in the hit comedy "Summer School," which grossed over $35 million in the United States.

Alley then landed her breakthrough role in the smash hit NBC sitcom "Cheers" in 1987. She was cast as the replacement for Shelley Long and remained with the show until its 11th and final season.

In 1989, Alley starred with John Travolta in "Look Who's Talking," which was followed by two sequels in 1990 and 1993. She later described Travolta as the "greatest love" of her life, even though they were not romantically involved.

After two nominations for her work on "Cheers," in 1988 and 1990, she finally won an Emmy in 1991.

Alley and Stevenson would later divorce in 1997 but welcomed son True in 1992 and daughter Lillie in 1995, both via adoption following a devastating miscarriage.

She won a second Emmy for the 1994 television film "David's Mother."

Alley received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in 1995 for her contributions to the film industry.

From 1997 to 2000 she starred in the sitcom "Veronica's Closet" alongside Kathy Najimy and Lorri Bagley.

She competed and came second on the 12th season of "Dancing With the Stars" in 2011.

She made her final television appearance seven months ago when she appeared on season seven of "The Masked Singer" as Baby Mammoth.