Remembering Kirstie Alley: The 'Cheers' star's life and career in photos
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Eve CrosbieDec 6, 2022, 19:14 IST
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Kirstie Alley was born on January 12, 1951, in Wichita, Kansas, to parents Robert Deal Alley and Lillian Alley.
She got her first taste of fame by appearing as a contestant on game shows "Match Game" and "Password Plus" before deciding to give acting a go.
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She made her movie debut in 1982 in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan."
The same year, she met her second husband, Parker Stevenson, in a bar. The couple wed in 1983. She was previously married to her high-school sweetheart.
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She then starred in the 1985 ABC miniseries "North and South" opposite Patrick Swayze. She wrote in her memoir that the two had an "immediate attraction" but did not pursue an affair as they were both married.
Two years later, she starred opposite Mark Harmon in the hit comedy "Summer School," which grossed over $35 million in the United States.
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Alley then landed her breakthrough role in the smash hit NBC sitcom "Cheers" in 1987. She was cast as the replacement for Shelley Long and remained with the show until its 11th and final season.
In 1989, Alley starred with John Travolta in "Look Who's Talking," which was followed by two sequels in 1990 and 1993. She later described Travolta as the "greatest love" of her life, even though they were not romantically involved.
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After two nominations for her work on "Cheers," in 1988 and 1990, she finally won an Emmy in 1991.
Alley and Stevenson would later divorce in 1997 but welcomed son True in 1992 and daughter Lillie in 1995, both via adoption following a devastating miscarriage.
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She won a second Emmy for the 1994 television film "David's Mother."
Alley received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in 1995 for her contributions to the film industry.
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From 1997 to 2000 she starred in the sitcom "Veronica's Closet" alongside Kathy Najimy and Lorri Bagley.
She competed and came second on the 12th season of "Dancing With the Stars" in 2011.
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She made her final television appearance seven months ago when she appeared on season seven of "The Masked Singer" as Baby Mammoth.