Kirstie Alley dead at 71 after battle with cancer

Alley rose to fame playing Rebecca Howe on "Cheers" and later went on to movie success.

By Ben Whedon

Published: December 5, 2022 8:30pm

Updated: December 5, 2022 9:13pm

Actress Kirstie Alley died on Monday at the age of 71.

The "Cheers" actresses' children announced her death on Alley's Twitter account, 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," they continued. "As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother."

Alley rose to fame playing Rebecca Howe on "Cheers" and later went on to movie success, making her film debut in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan in which she played Vulcan Starfleet Lieutenant Saavik.

Alley became a Scientologist in 1979 and was a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump.