Kirstie Alley, the popular actress, died in 2022 at the age of 71. Her family took to their Instagram page to reveal the devastating news that she had lost her battle with cancer.
Her family gave further details of Kirstie’s final hours in a lengthy statement which was truly heartbreaking to read.
During her career, Kirstie Alley won two Emmy Awards and became famous for her role in the television series Cheers. She was a darling on Dancing With the Stars and starred in many hit movies.
There were ups and downs throughout her life. Born in Wichita, Kansas on January 12, 1951, she overcame obstacles in her life. After graduating from Kansas State and Kansas University with an acting degree, she attended Wichita Southeast High School. Despite her early struggles with drugs, Kirstie was able to leave Kansas for California to pursue her acting ambitions.
She said, “The truth about how I escaped from Kansas is high,” recalling her adventure. I was completely drugged. My dream would never have come true if I hadn’t been drugged.”
Her goal was to become an actress, so despite obstacles and doubts, she moved to California. She overcame people’s fears about her aspirations by becoming successful in Hollywood after starting her career as an interior decorator.
After a difficult period of experimenting with drugs and hanging out with the wrong crowd, a tragic event occurred in 1981. Her parents’ vehicle was hit by a drunk driver causing serious injuries. Her father was seriously injured and her mother died. It was a terribly trying time for Kirstie.
The cause of the accident Kirstie wanted to apologize for years after it happened. The drunk driver understood Kirsty’s reason for not wanting to talk, but they still wanted to apologize and say how sorry they really were.
Kirsti’s life changed after she lost her mother. She joined the Church of Scientology, went to rehab, and gave up drugs. She got her first major acting role in 1982. Her role as Saavika in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan brought her fame.
A few years later, she played Gloria Steinem in the TV movie A Bunny’s Tale. She co-starred with the well-known Patrick Swayze in the 1985 miniseries North and South, in which she had a modest role.
After a few minor roles, Kirsti’s big break came in 1987 when she was cast as Rebecca Howe in the TV series Cheers. She won accolades for the role, including an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
After her departure from Cheers in 1993, she continued to excel in big business. She starred in TV shows like Veronica’s Closet or The Last Don and won another Emmy for the movie David’s Mother.
Her roles in Look Who’s Talking and Drop Dead Gorgeous were equally popular. In 2012, she appeared on the television program Dancing with the Stars, where she showed a new side of herself. She even returned to the All-Star competition.
In her private life, Kirstie was happy with Parker Stevenson, her second husband. After their marriage in 1983, they adopted a daughter, Lillie, and a son, William.
Unfortunately, they divorced in 1997.
Kirstie was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2017. She spoke candidly, admitting that the bacterial infection that caused her hospitalization resulted in significant weight gain.
“I wouldn’t eat two cookies if I were making cookies,” she elaborated. I would eat twelve cookies! And I really lost my mind… I started consuming twelve grape drinks every day. I ate a huge amount of sugar!”
But even before that, Kirstie struggled with her weight. She mentioned that she gained forty to fifty pounds during one summer in 2004. “To be honest, I had no idea how fat I was until I saw it in the tabloids,” she said. “Damn, girl, you’re fat,” I exclaimed.
Perhaps this experience served as the impetus for her comedy series Fat Actress, which debuted a year after she revealed her weight gain. The show was loosely based on the life of Kirstie, who played the lead role. It focused on a Hollywood star whose weight loss was widely discussed in the tabloids.
Co-creator Brenda Hampton stated in 2004 that she thought Kirstie’s issues would resonate with many women in the nation. Finding love and losing weight can be difficult for anyone, but being in the spotlight is much more difficult.
Kirstie decided to seek help from Jenny Craig, a weight loss program. She gradually lost weight and worked for three years to restore balance. She lost a remarkable 75 pounds as a result of the program and has served as a spokesperson for Jenny Craig since 2007.
Kirstie gained weight again when she joined Dancing With The Stars in 2011, reaching 230 pounds at the start of the season. However, by the end of the competition, she had lost more than a hundred kilos. She put a lot of effort into being successful on the dance floor.
But other viewers of the show reprimanded her. Some even speculated that she starved herself or had surgery to lose weight. Responding to the tweet, Kirstie wrote: “NO surgery, NO flippin lasers, NO barfing, NO starving… Oh my gosh… my produce, organic food, dancing .”
She starred in the TV movie You Can’t Take My Daughter in 2020, which was her last appearance.
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Kirstie Alley’s family has announced the tragic news that she died aged 71 from cancer on Monday 5th December 2022. They said she had a short battle with colon cancer and that her malignancy was only recently discovered.
In a statement, the family acknowledged their loss and thanked everyone for their support. They highlighted Kirstie’s love of life, family, and animals while praising her as a fantastic grandmother and mother. They sought privacy during this difficult time and praised the medical staff at Moffitt Cancer Center for their care.
Kirstie’s ex-husband Parker Stevenson posted a touching tribute on Instagram, thanking her for their time together and their lovely family.
He concluded by stating that Kirstie will be missed.
Scientologist Alley never left her home in Clearwater, Florida in the last years of her life.
A TRIBUTE TO JOHN TRAVOLTA IS TOUCHED
“He’s over Los Angeles,” an insider informed OK Magazine. “She happily disappeared into a quiet life in Clearwater, where she can also be more open about her faith.”
“Kirstie hasn’t worked in over a year and she’s fine with it,” another insider said. “He has no plans to return to Hollywood.
Many people shared their respect for Alley on social media after learning of her passing. John Travolta, who starred with Alley in 1989’s Look Who’s Talking and its two sequels, was one of those who did.
The Grease actor lost Kelly Preston, his wife, to cancer in 2020. In July 2020, Kelly Preston, Travolta’s wife, died of cancer at the age of 57.
On Instagram, Travolta commented: “I love you Kirstie.” “I know we’ll see each other again.
The two have had a wonderful relationship over the years. Alley said during her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother that she once had a crush on John Travolta.
“Maybe he’d make a good husband.” “I almost left and married John,” she remarked. “I loved him and I still do,” she thought to herself. And I would have married him if I hadn’t. I was no longer married. Besides, I would fly.”
In 2018, Kirstie discussed her relationship with John more. She claimed that it was a mutual feeling and that they fell in love. However, she noted that turning down a romantic offer was one of the hardest things she’s ever had to do. She made it clear that she did not want to cheat on her husband, so their relationship was neither romantic nor sexual.
Jamie Lee Curtis, her friend and former co-star in the 2016 horror series Scream Queens, also expressed her views on social media. Curtis remembered Kirstie as a kind person in real life and a fantastic comedic companion on the show. She spoke of how Kirstie assisted her in choosing Christmas presents for her family. Curtis admitted that while they didn’t always agree, they still respected each other and were connected. The news saddened her.
After Kirstie Alley died at age 71, revelations by her family revealed a touching portrait of her final moments, highlighting her battle with colon cancer and the precious memories she left behind. Known for her remarkable contributions to television and film, Kirsti’s journey from the ups and downs of fame to her quiet summers in Clearwater, Florida, includes a life rich in both trials and triumphs.
From her Emmy Award-winning role on “Cheers” to her heartfelt performance on “Dancing with the Stars,” her enduring legacy still resonates with fans and colleagues alike. Tributes to John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis highlight the deep bonds and mutual respect shared across the entertainment industry. As we remember Kirstie, let us remember her spirit of resilience, her love of family and animals, and the warmth she brought to all she met. Her story is a testament to the power of love, determination, and the indomitable human spirit.