The Life and Career of Kirstie Alley: A Look Back

Kirstie Alley, the beloved American actress who recently passed away at the age of 71, was best known for her roles in the television series Cheers and the films Look Who's Talking and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Her impressive career spanned over four decades, during which she won two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. In this blog post, we will take a look back at the life and career of Kirstie Alley, from her early days as a Broadway dancer to her long-lasting impact on Hollywood.

Early Life and Career

Kirstie Alley was an American actress and comedian born on December 12, 1950, in Wichita, Kansas. Growing up, she was heavily involved in theater and participated in many plays and productions. In 1972, Alley began her professional career in Los Angeles, California, when she appeared in an episode of The Bob Newhart Show. She later starred in the classic comedy series Cheers, where she played the beloved Rebecca Howe from 1987 to 1993.

In addition to her successful television career, Alley also had a successful film career. She starred in Look Who's Talking in 1989 and two sequels; Look Who's Talking Too in 1990 and Look Who's Talking Now in 1993. In 1996, she won a Golden Globe Award for her performance in the television movie The Last Don. Other notable films include Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999) and Deconstructing Harry (1997).

In addition to her acting work, Alley was also a successful businesswoman. In 1994, she founded the company Organic Liaison, which produces organic and natural health products. She was also the spokesperson for Jenny Craig, a popular weight loss program.

Kirstie Alley will be remembered as an iconic comedic actress and a savvy businesswoman. Her legacy will live on through her many classic films and television appearances.

Later Work

Kirstie Alley continued to stay active in Hollywood for the remainder of her career. In 2012, Alley starred alongside Jada Pinkett Smith in the movie For Richer or Poorer. In 2014, she appeared in the romantic comedy Showtime with Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson and then reprised her role as Rebecca Howe in a 2019 reboot of Cheers titled Cheers: A Toast to 20 Years.

In recent years, Alley kept busy appearing in television commercials and shows like Dancing With the Stars, Scream Queens, and The Masked Singer. She even hosted her own talk show, Kirstie Alley's Big Life, which aired on A&E from 2010-2011. She also created Organic Liaison's weight loss system in 2009 and was a vocal advocate for Scientology.

Alley was an incredibly talented actress who brought laughter to millions of people across the world. Her larger-than-life presence will be remembered by her fans and colleagues alike.

Personal Life

Kirstie Alley had a colorful life that was full of highs and lows. She was born on December 12, 1950, in Wichita, Kansas, and was raised in a conservative Christian family. Her parents were Robert and Lillian Alley, and she had two siblings.

Kirstie attended college at Kansas State University and then moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. She made her acting debut in the 1978 movie Star Trek: The Motion Picture. She went on to appear in several other movies and television shows, but her most significant success was playing Rebecca Howe on the NBC sitcom Cheers. She won two Emmy Awards for her performance.

Kirstie also had a very personal life as well. She was married three times and had two adopted children, William True and Lillie Price. She advocated for adoption rights and participated in several charitable causes.

Kirstie Alley died at age 71 on December 5th, 2022, after a long illness. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, acting talent, and passion for helping others.