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Kirstie Alley has died. The famed actress was 71.
Her children — son William “True” Stevenson, 30, and daughter Lillie Price Stevenson, 28 — announced the news Monday evening with a statement shared via their mother’s social media accounts, saying she “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,” the statement read.
“We are grateful to the incredible team of doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center for their care.”
Alley shared her children with Parker Stevenson, to whom she was married from 1983 to 1997. The actress was first married to Bob Alley from 1970 to 1977.
The statement described Alley, who would have turned 72 next month, as an “incredible, fierce and loving mother.”
“As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother,” her kids gushed.
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“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 expressed gratitude for her fans’ love and prayers, and asked for “privacy at this difficult time.”
Alley found fame playing Rebecca Howe in the NBC sitcom “Cheers” from 1987 to 1993 — a role for which she received an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe, both in 1991.
She went on to star in dozens of movies and television shows, including “Drop Dead Gorgeous,” “Veronica’s Closet,” “It Takes Two,” “Sibling Rivalry,” Shoot to Kill,” “Loverboy,” “Runaway” and the “Look Who’s Talking” franchise, just to name a few.
Her longtime friend and “Look Who’s Talking” co-star, John Travolta, was among the first to pay tribute to the late star.
“Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had,” the actor and fellow Scientologist, 68, wrote on Instagram just after news broke. “I love you Kirstie. I know we will see each other again.”
Alley earned 76 acting credits during her career.
