Kirstie Alley, who will forever be remembered for her role on the hit television show Cheers, has passed away at the age of 71. Her family announced the sad news yesterday that Kirstie died after a brief battle with colon cancer that she only “recently discovered” she had. Colon cancer is known as the “silent killer” because the symptoms often take longer to present themselves than in other cancers. Her family’s statement on social media read:
“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. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.”
Kirstie was receiving treatment at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa Bay, Florida before she passed.
While Alley will always be most remembered for her role as the manager of the bar on Cheers, she was also known for being an active member of the Church of Scientology and for getting into public arguments with other celebrities.
John Travolta, who had been tied to Kirstie romantically in the past, was one of the first to give a tribute to the late actress:
“Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had. I love you Kirstie. I know we will see each other again.”
Ted Danson, who played the head bartender on Cheers, said he was on a plane watching an episode of Cheers where Kirstie’s character was proposed to by Tom Berenger. Dansen said:
“Her ability to play a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown was both moving and hysterically funny. She made me laugh 30 years ago when she shot that scene, and she made me laugh today just as hard. As I got off the plane, I heard that Kirstie had died. I am so sad and so grateful for all the times she made me laugh. I send my love to her children. As they well know, their mother had a heart of gold. I will miss her.”
Rest in peace, Kirstie. You will be missed!