From ‘Cheers’ to ‘It Takes Two’
Kirstie Alley has made a name for herself with a successful career in the TV industry – but she’s also made headlines in her personal life.
The actress was born in 1951 to parents Robert Deal Alley and Lillian Alley. Kirstie grew up in Kansas with her two siblings, Colette and Craig, before moving to Los Angeles after her sophomore year.
After initially working as an interior designer, Kirstie made a number of appearances on game shows including match game and Password Plus. She later transitioned to a career in Hollywood — specifically in sitcoms like Cheers, Veronica’s closet, Kirstie and more.
Over the years the scream queens Alum also spoke candidly about her life off screen. In 2015, Kirstie defended her belief in Scientology and praised the church’s practices.
“I think that no matter what path people choose, people must always have the goal of becoming more and more conscious,” she said in an interview with Howard Stern, noting that she had attained the OT-7 level in the Church’s hierarchy of achievements. “It means you got rid of all the things that would cause you to behave in an aberrated way that you didn’t want.”
That Look who’s talking star added: “It’s a level of consciousness. It’s an achievement.”
Kirstie also got involved Leah Remini‘s public decision to leave Scientology two years ago. In response to Remini’s claims of how she was shunned by the controversial church, Kirstie opened up about her own experience.
“She left religion and was very critical,” Kirstie explained at the time. “It’s just some kind of water under the bridge. Nothing is going on and nothing has been going on for years. I didn’t avoid them, but when a lot of people reject you, at some point you have to ask, ‘What do I do?’ I mean, I would have asked myself that too.”
The Emmy-winning actress, who shared son William and daughter Lillie with ex-husband Parker StevensonShe claimed her children had also joined Scientology. “It was her decision,” she said. “It really helped them a lot, so that’s good.”
Before her death, Kirstie reflected on the legacy she wanted to leave her family.
“I would say I would start [my grandchildren] out [by watching my show] cheers. I was very proud of it David’s motherwhich was drama just because I’d never done anything like it,” she said StarTrek.com in 2016. “I guess anytime — I’m one of those actors who likes to do things I’ve never done before.” So if someone asks me, ‘What about it?’ When my first feeling is, ‘Oh, why did you choose me for this?’ Then I kind of go – because then you have to be a little braver, I think – ‘All right, I’ll try.’”
In December 2022, Kirstie’s children issued a statement announcing their deaths.
“We are saddened to announce that our incredible, wild and loving mother has passed away after a only recently discovered battle with cancer,” they said in a letter posted to their late mother’s Instagram. “She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great vigour, leaving us reassured of her never-ending zest for life and all the adventures ahead. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.”
The social media message continued, “The zest for life and passion of our mother, her children, grandchildren and their many animals, not to mention their everlasting joy in creating, was unparalleled and inspires us to live life to the fullest, like she did. ”
Keep scrolling for a look back at Kirstie’s life in photos:
Recognition: Paramount TV/Kobal/Shutterstock
Kirstie Alley Through the Years: From “Cheers” to Mother of Two and Beyond
Kirstie Alley has made a name for herself with a successful career in the TV industry – but she’s also made headlines in her personal life. The actress was born in 1951 to parents Robert Deal Alley and Lillian Alley. Kirstie grew up in Kansas with her two siblings, Colette and Craig, before moving to Los Angeles after her sophomore year. After initially working as an interior designer, Kirstie made a number of appearances on game shows including match game and Password Plus. She later transitioned to a career in Hollywood — specifically in sitcoms like Cheers, Veronica’s closet, Kirstie and more. Over the years the scream queens Alum also spoke candidly about her life off screen. In 2015, Kirstie defended her belief in Scientology and praised the church’s practices. “I think that no matter what path people choose, people must always have the goal of becoming more and more conscious,” she said in an interview with Howard Stern, noting that she had attained the OT-7 level in the Church’s hierarchy of achievements. “It means you got rid of all the things that would cause you to behave in an aberrated way that you didn’t want.” That Look who’s talking star added: “It’s a level of consciousness. It’s an achievement.” Kirstie intervened as well Leah Remini‘s public decision to leave Scientology two years ago. In response to Remini’s claims of how she was shunned by the controversial church, Kirstie opened up about her own experience. “She left religion and was very critical,” Kirstie explained at the time. “It’s just some kind of water under the bridge. Nothing is going on there and nothing has been going on for years. I didn’t avoid her, but when a lot of people reject you, at some point you have to ask yourself, ‘What am I? I do?’ I mean, I would have wondered that too.” The Emmy-winning actress, who shared son William and daughter Lillie with ex-husband Parker StevensonShe claimed her children had also joined Scientology. “It was her decision,” she said. “It really helped them a lot, so that’s good.”
[jwplayer hoA6czgX-zhNYySv2]Before her death, Kirstie reflected on the legacy she wanted to leave her family. “I would say I would start [my grandchildren] out [by watching my show] cheers. I was very proud of it David’s motherwhich was drama just because I’d never done anything like it,” she said StarTrek.com in 2016. “I guess anytime — I’m one of those actors who likes to do things I’ve never done before.” So if someone asks me, ‘What about it?’ When my first feeling is, ‘Oh, why did you choose me for this?’ Then I kind of go — because then you have to be a little braver, I think — ‘All right, I’ll try.'” In December 2022, Kirstie’s children announced their deaths in a statement. “We are saddened to announce that our incredible, wild and loving mother has passed away following a battle with cancer that was only recently discovered,” they said in a letter posted to their late mother’s Instagram. “Surrounded by her closest family, she fought with great vigour, leaving us with an assurance of her never-ending zest for life and all the adventures to come. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.” The social media message continued, “The zest for life and passion of our mother, her children, grandchildren and her many animals, not to mention hers eternal joy in creating were unparalleled and inspire us to live life to the fullest, just as she did.” Scroll on for a look back at Kirstie’s life in photos:
Recognition: Paramount TV/Kobal/Shutterstock
1970
Kirstie was married to a high school sweetheart Bob Alley from 1970 to 1977.
Recognition: Paramount TV/Kobal/Shutterstock
1980s
In 1982, Kirstie made her film debut in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan as Lieutenant Saavik. She ultimately did not reprise the role in future sequels, but continued to appear in films such as Another chance, blind date and Run away.
On the small screen, Kirstie starred in roles Masquerade, North and South and The hitchhiker.
Recognition: Julie Marks/AP/Shutterstock
1990s
The TV personality found success in her professional life after starring on the side Markus Harmon in summer school. Kirstie joined the cast of NBC’s hit sitcom cheerswhere she appeared as Rebecca Howe from 1987 to 1993.
In 1989, Kirstie was cast opposite John Travolta in Look who’s talking. The costars continued to collaborate with Look who is also speaking and look who is speaking now! She also performed Sibling rivalry, it takes two, drop dead gorgeous and Toothless.
Recognition: At/Shutterstock
1990s
After her time on Cheers, Kirstie was nominated for multiple Emmys. She won in 1991 and later received another award for the 1994 film David’s mother.
The Last Don actress received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1995.
Recognition: Henry Lamb/Photowire/BEI/Shutterstock
2013
That Without any trace Alum was reunited with cheers costar Rhea Perlman in her sitcom Kirstie. The show also included Michael Richardspremiered in 2013 and was discontinued the same year.
Kirstie continued to appear in shows on the small screen, including Hot in Cleveland, The Middle, Time Crashers, Scream Queens, The Goldbergs and Season 22 of Celebrity Big Brother.
Recognition: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
2022
Before her death, Kirstie appeared in season 7 of The Masked Singer as a baby mammoth. She was eliminated in the eighth episode.
https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/kirstie-alley-through-the-years-from-cheers-to-it-takes-two/ From ‘Cheers’ to ‘It Takes Two’