Cheers star, Kirstie Alley, passes away at 71 after a short battle with cancer

Kirstie Alley, the star of Drop Dead Gorgeous and Cheers has passed away at 71. True and Lillie Parker, Alley's children, revealed that the actress had passed away from cancer. Additionally, she passed away on Monday, True and Lillie said in a statement to PEOPLE. They stated, "We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce, and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered. 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." Furthermore, the children recalled that their mother's "zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren, and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating, were unparalleled and leave us inspired to live life to the fullest just as she did." In addition, the Moffitt Cancer Center's "incredible team of doctors and nurses" were also praised. In closing, True and Lillie thanked Alley's fans, "We thank you for your love and prayers and ask that you respect our privacy at this difficult time." [caption id="attachment_69026" align="aligncenter" width="2500"] Image: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images file[/caption] Alley's Instagram page also posted the statement.

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Following the announcement, John Travolta, Alley's friend, and former co-star paid the actress a tribute on social media. "Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I've ever had. I love you Kirstie," he wrote with a photo of the late actress. "I know we will see each other again." "Oh Kirstie, Rest in Peace," Valerie Bertinelli wrote on Twitter as she sent her condolences. Moreover, Alley's most recent Instagram video was published in September, the same month she announced she would be joining Cameo and inviting her followers to request "funny or sincere" messages from her using the platform. Since then, her Cameo page has been deleted. [caption id="attachment_69027" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Image: Jason Kempin/Getty Images[/caption] For those unaware, Kirstie Alley shot to prominence when played Rebecca Howe on NBC's Cheers. She won the Golden Globe for best actress and the Emmy for outstanding lead actress for her performance in the Boston-based series in 1991. In 1994, she went on to win her second Emmy for the role of Sally Goodson in David's Mother. Additionally, Alley acted in movies like Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), Summer School (1987), Look Who's Talking (1989), It Takes Two (1995), and Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999). She also appeared on television shows like Veronica's Closet (1997–2000), Fat Actress (2005), Kirstie (2013–2014), and Scream Queens (2015–2016). On another note, her life was documented in 2010 in the A&E reality television program Kirstie Alley's Big Life. Additionally, she participated in season 7 of The Masked Singer in 2022 and season 12 of Dancing with the Stars in 2011. Lastly, in recent years, Alley faced criticism from those who believed she made controversial political statements, particularly regarding the Jan. 6, 2001, rebellion and the war in Ukraine.