The illness that cost actress Kirstie Alley her life at age 71

Actress Kirstie Alley died at age 71 from an unexpected illness that advanced quickly: colon cancer. On December 5, 2022, her children Lillie and True said goodbye to their mother.

They released a statement afterward, in which they announced their mother's death and its cause: "recently discovered" cancer. The illness had been in an advanced stage when the actress was diagnosed.

The actress was known for her roles in films like 'Look Who's Talking' and sitcoms like 'Cheers' and 'Veronica's Closet.'

Her children, William True and Lillie Parker, announced the death of the star through her own Instagram account. Their message is hard to read without getting emotional.

Photo: @kirstiealley / Instagram

"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," her children wrote.

"As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother," William True and Lillie Parker say. The actress had adopted the two children when she married fellow actor Parker Stevenson.

The actress's children also expressed their gratitude to the "incredible team of doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center for their care." In this famous clinic in Florida, Kirstie Alley's disease was treated.

Kirstie Alley rose to fame in the 80s when she gave life to Rebecca Howe, the owner of the most iconic bar on television: 'Cheers'. The NBC sitcom went around the world and inspired many great comedies of the 90s.

Rebecca was the new, on-and-of-again love interest of the bartender of 'Cheers,' Sam Malone. This role was played by Ted Danson.

Kirstie Alley shared the screen and friendship with stars like Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, and Kelsey Grammer. The series was on the air for eleven seasons and Rebecca Howe arrived in the sixth.

Kirstie Alley was nominated for five Emmy awards for her role as Rebecca. She won just one, in 1991.

Obviously, the series 'Cheers' was a turning point in the career of Kirstie Alley. She instantly became a Hollywood star.

In 1989, she was part of the successful movie 'Look Who's Talking.' She got into the skin of Mollie Jensen, a single mother (whose son was voiced by Bruce Willis) with John Travolta as her romantic interest.

Critics trashed the film, but it was such a blockbuster (grossing almost $300 million, having cost $7.5 million) that it would get two sequels.

John Travolta was one of the first to say goodbye to Kirstie Alley after the news of her death came out. He wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram.

"Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had.
I love you Kirstie. I know we will see each other again."

Photo: @johntravolta / Instagram

Kirstie Alley was born in Wichita, Kansas, in 1951 and stayed there until she was 30. Working as an interior designer, one day she decided to try her luck in Hollywood.

Within a few months of arriving in Hollywood, she landed a role in 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

Her feline gaze, her imposing presence, and her recognizable voice, in addition to her undeniable talent, led Kirstie Alley to stardom.

In recent years, Kirstie Alley mostly made the news for her support of Donald Trump. They had a famous exchange on Twitter where he said she was a "strong and intelligent" woman. The actress would later claim that she was blacklisted in Hollywood for supporting Trump.

Beyond the ideological and political, the legacy of Kirstie Alley as a comedic actress remains monumental in Hollywood.