The news was confirmed by the artist's relatives on social media.
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| Kirstie Alley |
Kirstie Alley, 71, died Monday night after losing her battle with illness, according to her family and management.
"We are so devastated to inform you that our beautiful, feisty, and loving mother has died away following a fight with newly diagnosed cancer," Alley's daughters, True and Lillie Parker, said in a statement posted on Alley's social media.
"She was surrounded by her closest relatives and battled valiantly, leaving us with the confidence of her unending delight in life and whatever adventure was ahead." "As legendary as she was on television, she was an even better mother and grandmother," the caption continues.
The advertisement, which earned hundreds of likes on Alley's Instagram account, conveys the actress's family's thanks to the physicians and nurses at Moffitt Cancer Center for their treatment.
"Our mother's excitement and love for life, her children, grandkids, and numerous animals, not to mention her unending delight of creating, was unrivaled and motivated us to live life to the fullest just as she did." We appreciate her love and prayers and ask that you respect our privacy at this difficult time. With everlasting love, True and Lillie Parker," the text finishes.
Born in Wichita , Kansas, Alley attended State University before dropping out and moving to Los Angeles.
His first television appearances were as a game show contestant, on "The Match Game" in 1979 and "Password" in 1980.
He made his film debut in 1982's "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan."
The biggest boost in his career was achieved in 1989 when he starred in the film " Look Who's Talking" and the sequels "Look Who's Talking Too" (1990) and "Look Who's Talking Now" (1993).
The actress starred opposite Ted Danson as Rebecca Howe on “Cheers,” NBC 's beloved Boston bar sitcom, from 1987 to 1993. She joined the show at the height of its popularity after the star's departure Original Shelley Long .
She won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the role in 1991. She also won a second Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie in 1993 for playing the lead in the CBS TV movie “ David's mother ”.
Alley portrayed a fictionalized version of herself in the Showtime comedy "Fat Actress" in 2005.
In recent years, he's featured on a number of reality series, including "Dancing With the Stars."
Reactions in Hollywood over Kirstie Alley's death
After the actress's passing, the outpouring of love was immediate. The actor John Travolta, who co-starred with Alley in the popular late-80s picture, was among the first to express his sadness at the news.
"One of the most special connections I've ever had was with Kirstie." Kirstie, I adore you. "I know we'll cross paths again," Travolta said on Instagram.