Kirstie Alley, the Emmy-winning actress who starred in the hit sitcom Cheers and played Saavik in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, passed away at the age of 71 on Monday due to a short battle with cancer. Her death was confirmed by a statement released by her children on social media.
"We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered," Alley's children True and Lillie wrote in a statement.
"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. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother."
They also thanked the doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center and asked for privacy during their difficult times. You can check their full statement here:
Besides her iconic role as Rebecca Howe in Cheers, she is also known for her TV roles in shows such as Veronica's Closet, Kirstie, and Scream Queens. She also competed in reality shows such as Dancing with the Stars, Big Brother, and The Masked Singer as well as starred in her own series Kirstie Alley's Big Life.
She made her big screen debut in 1982 when she played Saavik in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan although she didn't reprise the role in subsequent films. She also starred in films such as Summer School, Look Who's Talking and its sequels, Village of the Damned, It Takes Two, and Drop Dead Gorgeous.
Several figures in Hollywood paid tribute to the late actress on social media including her co-stars such as John Travolta, William Shatner, John Ratzenberger, Jamie Lee Curtis, and many more.
The actress is survived by her son William True Stevenson, daughter Lillie Stevenson, and one grandson.
Also Read: Star Trek Movies Officially Moving to HBO Max
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