Stunned Hollywood stars including John Travolta, Parker Stevenson and Kelsey Grammer reacted as news spread Monday of Kirstie Alley’s death.
The “Cheers” and “Veronica’s Closet” actress died at 71 after a brief battle with a recently diagnosed cancer, her children True and Lillie Parker shared on the star’s verified Instagram account.
“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,” they wrote. “As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.”
Her “zest and passion for life … were unparalleled and leave us inspired to live life to the fullest just as she did.”
Kirstie Alley dies at 71:‘Cheers’ and ‘Look Who’s Talking’ star battled undisclosed cancer
Travolta, Alley’s longtime friend and co-star (“Look Who’s Talking Now”), shared a glam pic of the actress in a strapless white dress, pearls and tousled hair.
“Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had,” he wrote on Instagram. “I love you Kirstie. I know we will see each other again.”
Her “Cheers” castmate Kelsey Grammer told USA TODAY in a statement, “I always believed grief for a public figure is a private matter, but I will say I loved her.”
Alley’s ex-husband, “The Hardy Boys” star Parker Stevenson, wrote that he was “so grateful for our years together, and for the two incredibly beautiful children and now grandchildren that we have” and shared a throwback photo of the couple. “You will be missed.”
Jamie Lee Curtis, who starred with Alley in TV’s “Scream Queens” in 2016, called her “a great comic foil” on the series and “a beautiful mama bear in her very real life.”
Referencing their political differences, Curtis noted they “agreed to disagree about some things,” but celebrated their “mutual respect and connection.”
Ever Carradine credited Alley for helping start her career.
“She told me I was funny every single day on Veronica’s Closet, and I believed her,” Carradine tweeted. “She threw the best parties and gave the parakeets as our wrap gift.”
Tim Allen, who co-starred alongside Alley in 1997’s “For Richer or Poorer,” called her a “sweet soul.”
“Sad, sad news,” Allen wrote on Twitter. “Prayers for all her family.”
Rhea Perlman, who starred in “Cheers,” said in a statement to USA TODAY that Alley was “a unique and wonderful person and friend.”
“Her joy of being was boundless,” Perlman said. “We became friends almost instantly when she joined the cast of Cheers. She loved kids and my kids loved her too. We had sleepovers at her house, with treasure hunts that she created.”
Perlman also starred in Alley’s TV Land series “Kirstie.”
Perlman recalled the “massive Halloween and Easter parties” Alley would throw and invite the “entire crew of the show, and their families. She wanted everyone to feel included.” She concluded: “She loved her children deeply. I’ve never met anyone remotely like her. I feel so thankful to have known her. I’m going to miss her very, very much.”
“I can’t believe you’re gone,” tweeted Kristin Chenoweth, who starred with her in TV Land’s “Kirstie.” “I will see you again someday.”
And journalist Megyn Kelly remembered Alley as “a beautiful, brave, funny and beloved woman.”
Contributing: Laura Trujillo
Story Credit: usatoday.com