Kirstie Alley's official cause of death is revealed as tributes from John Travolta, Ted Danson, and more pour in
Kirstie Alley, star of Cheers, Veronica’s Closet, and the Look Who’s Talking movies, has died. She was 71.
The tragic news broke late on Monday night, and her children have revealed that her cause of death was colon cancer, something she was only recently, and privately, diagnosed with.
In a statement to People, her children William True Stevenson and Lille Stevenson said, “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.”
“Our 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,” they concluded.
Kirstie was of course best known for here role as Rebecca on Cheers, and later starring in her own sitcom Veronica’s Closet, but she also made a name for herself in film. She played the iconic Vulcan character Savic in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and hit it big in the rom-com arena with Look Who’s Talking and Look Who’s Talking Too, opposite fellow Scientologist John Travolta.
Travolta, and many of her other co-stars are posting tributes to the late actress today. “Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had,” the Pulp Fiction star wrote on his Instagram, including a cuddly picture of the two. “I love you Kirstie. I know we will see each other again.”
In statements to Deadline, her Cheers costars Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, and Rhea Perlman all gushed about their love for the rare and beautiful talent that was Kirstie.
“I was on a plane today and did something I rarely do. I watched an old episode of Cheers,” Danson told the outlet. “It was the episode where Tom Berenger proposes to Kirstie, who keeps saying no, even though she desperately wants to say yes. Kirstie was truly brilliant in it. 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,” he concluded.
Kelsey Grammer kept his statement brief, telling the outlet, “I always believed grief for a public figure is a private matter, but I will say I loved her.”
Rhea Perlman stated, “Kirstie was a unique and wonderful person and friend. Her joy of being was boundless. We became friends almost instantly when she joined the cast of Cheers. She loved kids and my kids loved her too. We had sleepovers at her house, with treasure hunts that she created. She had massive Halloween and Easter parties and invited the entire crew of the show and their families. She wanted everyone to feel included. She loved her children deeply. I’ve never met anyone remotely like her. I feel so thankful to have known her. I’m going to miss her very, very much.”
Even Kirstie’s exhusband, Parker Stevenson, with whom she shares William and Lille, paid tribute to his ex-wife on Instagram.
“Dear Kirstie,” he began, sharing a pic of them cuddling in happier days. “I am so grateful for our years together, and for the two incredibly beautiful children and now grandchildren that we have. You will be missed. With love, Parker.”
In her later career, Kirstie became the face of Jenny Craig, famously showing off her weight loss in a bikini on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show. She also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother UK, where she avoided answering any questions posed about Scientology.
