Kirstie Alley passes away at 71
By Kieran Burt.
Kirstie Alley, the award winning actress best known for her appearance in the 1982 film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, has passed away aged 71 from cancer.
Her family posted a statement to her Twitter account, saying that her passion for life, her children, grandchildren and her animals, as well as her joy of creating leave them inspired.
The Kansas born star played Lt. Saavik, a Vulcan Starfleet Officer aboard the USS Enterprise.
She didn’t return for the third Star Trek film due to a breakdown in negotiations between her and Leonard Nimoy over her salary. As a result, Robin Curtis would take over the character in future films.
The actress would also have roles in the 1980s and 1990s comedy Cheers, in the Look Who’s Talking franchise and the sitcom Veronica’s Closet.
Alley would win an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her role in Cheers, where she played bar manager Rebecca Howe.
Tributes from cast and crew mates have flooded in for the actress.
William Shatner offered his condolences on Twitter, saying he is “Saddened to hear of the passing of @kirstiealley. Condolences to her family and friends.”
Picard showrunner Terry Matalas expressed that Alley would always be Lt. Saavik in her eyes.
The Cheers actor Ted Danson, who plays the misogynistic bar owner Sam Malone, told Deadline, “I was on a plane today and did something I rarely do. I watched an old episode of Cheers,
“It was the episode where Tom Berenger proposes to Kirstie, who keeps saying no, even though she desperately wants to say yes. Kirstie was truly brilliant in it.” He adds.
“Her ability to play a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown was both moving and hysterically funny. She made me laugh 30 years ago when she shot that scene, and she made me laugh today just as hard.
“As I got off the plane, I heard that Kirstie had died. I am so sad and so grateful for all the times she made me laugh. I send my love to her children. As they well know, their mother had a heart of gold. I will miss her.”
Alley was an avid Trump supporter, appearing on Fox Nation with Tucker Carlson.
Donald Trump posted his condolences on Truth Social, saying “Kirstie was a great person who truly loved the USA. She will be missed!”
