Kirstie Alley in Van Nuys, California, in 1991.
Kirstie Alley's life in pictures
Kirstie Alley in Van Nuys, California, in 1991.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Updated 2:20 PM EST, Tue December 6, 2022

Beloved TV and film actress Kirstie Alley died at the age of 71, after a brief battle with cancer. A two-time Primetime Emmy Award winner, Alley rose to fame for her performances in the TV show "Cheers" and the film "Look Who's Talking."

After winning the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series in 1991 for "Cheers" and another for lead actress in a miniseries or special for 1994's "David's Mother," she again found TV success in the late '90s with series "Veronica's Closet," which scored her another Emmy nod.

Alley made her foray into reality TV starting in 2010 with "Kirstie Alley's Big Life" and continued appearing in a number of other shows, including "Dancing With the Stars," and later "The Masked Singer." This time late in her career was also marked by Alley's penchant for candor that occasionally stirred controversy, especially through social media.

Kirstie Louise Alley was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1951.
Kirstie Louise Alley was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1951.
Mondadori Portfolio/Everett Collection
Alley with her future second husband Parker Stevenson in Aspen, Colorado, in 1979. The couple was married from 1983 to 1997 and share two children.
Alley with her future second husband Parker Stevenson in Aspen, Colorado, in 1979. The couple was married from 1983 to 1997 and share two children.
Paul Harris/Getty Images
From right, Alley appears alongside Leonard Nemoy, DeForest Kelley and William Shatner in the movie "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." The role marked Alley's feature film debut.
From right, Alley appears alongside Leonard Nemoy, DeForest Kelley and William Shatner in the movie "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." The role marked Alley's feature film debut.
CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
Alley poses with Gloria Steinem during the filming of the ABC TV movie "A Bunny's Tale," in 1985.
Alley poses with Gloria Steinem during the filming of the ABC TV movie "A Bunny's Tale," in 1985.
Donna Svennevik/Walt Disney Television Photo Archive/Getty Images
George Wendt, Alley, and Ted Danson in a scene in the hit NBC TV show "Cheers." Alley, who joined the cast in 1987, played the role of Rebecca Howe, which catapulted her to stardom.
George Wendt, Alley, and Ted Danson in a scene in the hit NBC TV show "Cheers." Alley, who joined the cast in 1987, played the role of Rebecca Howe, which catapulted her to stardom.
Ron Tom/NBCUniversal Photo Bank/Getty Images
John Travolta, director Amy Heckerling, and Alley on set of the hit film "Look Who's Talking," which was released in 1989.
John Travolta, director Amy Heckerling, and Alley on set of the hit film "Look Who's Talking," which was released in 1989.
TriStar Pictures/Everett Collection
John Larroquette and Alley in a scene from the 1990 film "Madhouse."
John Larroquette and Alley in a scene from the 1990 film "Madhouse."
Orion Pictures/Everett Collection
Alley and Burt Reynolds share a laugh backstage at the Emmy Awards in Pasadena, California in 1991. Both won awards for best acting in a comedy series, Alley for "Cheers" and Reynolds for "Evening Shade."
Alley and Burt Reynolds share a laugh backstage at the Emmy Awards in Pasadena, California in 1991. Both won awards for best acting in a comedy series, Alley for "Cheers" and Reynolds for "Evening Shade."
Reed Saxon/AP
Alley is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991.
Alley is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991.
Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images
Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen star in the 1995 film "It Takes Two" with Steve Guttenberg and Alley.
Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen star in the 1995 film "It Takes Two" with Steve Guttenberg and Alley.
Moviestore/Shutterstock
Alley in a scene of the TV show "Veronica's Closet." Alley played the title character in her second hit television show, which debuted in 1997.
Alley in a scene of the TV show "Veronica's Closet." Alley played the title character in her second hit television show, which debuted in 1997.
Everett Collection
In 1998, Alley won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Female in a New Television Series for her role in "Veronica's Closet."
In 1998, Alley won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Female in a New Television Series for her role in "Veronica's Closet."
Fred Prouser/Reuters
Alley, right, joins her fellow "Cheers" cast mates John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer, Ted Danson, George Wendt and Rhea Perlman to celebrate Danson's induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999.
Alley, right, joins her fellow "Cheers" cast mates John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer, Ted Danson, George Wendt and Rhea Perlman to celebrate Danson's induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999.
Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images
Alley appeared in the 1999 cult classic "Drop Dead Gorgeous" with Denise Richards.
Alley appeared in the 1999 cult classic "Drop Dead Gorgeous" with Denise Richards.
K Wright/New Line/Kobal/Shutterstock
Alley and actress Kelly Preston, second from right, march against the American Psychiatric Association in San Francisco in 2003.
Alley and actress Kelly Preston, second from right, march against the American Psychiatric Association in San Francisco in 2003.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
John Travolta reunites with Alley in an episode of her critically acclaimed Showtime series "Fat Actress" in 2005.
John Travolta reunites with Alley in an episode of her critically acclaimed Showtime series "Fat Actress" in 2005.
Kobal/Shutterstock
Alley poses with her children Lillie and True at a press event in California in 2005.
Alley poses with her children Lillie and True at a press event in California in 2005.
London Entertainment/Shutterstock
Alley onstage to present at the 2007 TV Land Awards.
Alley onstage to present at the 2007 TV Land Awards.
Fred Prouser/Reuters
Alley embraces fashion designer Zang Toi after walking the runway at the Zang Toi show during New York Fashion Week in 2011.
Alley embraces fashion designer Zang Toi after walking the runway at the Zang Toi show during New York Fashion Week in 2011.
Allison Joyce/Reuters
Maksim Chmerkovskiy dances with Alley during her appearance as a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2011. Alley came in second place and competed on a second season of the show in 2015.
Maksim Chmerkovskiy dances with Alley during her appearance as a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2011. Alley came in second place and competed on a second season of the show in 2015.
Adam Taylor/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Images
Alley attends a signing for her book "The Art of Men" in Los Angeles in 2012.
Alley attends a signing for her book "The Art of Men" in Los Angeles in 2012.
Araya Doheny/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Alley sings with Patricia Heaton in an episode of the ABC series "The Middle."
Alley sings with Patricia Heaton in an episode of the ABC series "The Middle."
Michael Ansell/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Images
Nick Cannon and Alley react during Alley's unmasking on "The Masked Singer" earlier this year.
Nick Cannon and Alley react during Alley's unmasking on "The Masked Singer" earlier this year.
FOX/Getty Images