Comic Actress Kirstie Alley Dies of Cancer at Age 71

Look Who’s Talking Star Kirstie Alley Passes Away at 71

Kirstie Alley, a film and television actress who possessed remarkable comic talents, died of colon cancer this past Monday.

Kirstie Alley died of colon cancer on Monday. She was one of the most prolific actresses of the 1980’s and early 1990’s. She was known mostly for her hilarious romantic (and some not so romantic) comedies but also co-starred in the 1982 science fiction film sequel, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan as well as the 1984 sci-fi thriller, Runaway where she played opposite Tom Selleck. In 1987, Alley appeared in the Mark Harmon summer comedy, Summer School, as Harmon’s character’s love interest. It was Alley’s role in 1989’s  Look Who’s Talking opposite John Travolta, however, that solidified the actress’s talent as a truly special comedic actress who proved to delight audiences throughout the duration of her career.

Two sequels to Look Who’s Talking were made with Alley: Look Who’s Talking Too and Look Who’s Talking Now. Alley’s presence in a film usually signified that the movie at hand would be hysterically funny. In 1990, Alley appeared in legendary comic film director Carl Reiner’s terrifically funny movie, Sibling Rivalry. She starred in that picture opposite heavy-hitting performers such as Bill Pullman, Carrier Fisher and Sam Elliott.

Alley also made her mark in television with her role as Rebecca Howe on “Cheers” where she co-starred with Ted Danson. That show ran for several years. Alley had replaced Shelley Long on it. Alley also spoofed her image when she gained weight later in her career with the spoof, “Fat Actress,” which had 7 episodes in 2005. She was also known on T.V. for her work on “Scream Queens” and she appeared on a season of the wildly popular, “Dancing with the Stars.”

Kirstie Alley also appeared in a supporting role in a Woody Allen movie in 1997 called Deconstructing Harry. Her most loved film roles may have been in the Look Who’s Talking pictures but there’s one movie that her fans love quite a bit that doesn’t get the credit it deserves to get. That picture is 1995’s hilarious Olsen Twins comedy, It Takes Two where Alley played opposite Steve Guttenberg. Despite just a $19 million domestic gross, it boasts one of Alley’s best CinemaScore grades: a straight “A.” The original Look Who’s Talking also earned an “A” but Sibling Rivalry got just a “B+” CinemaScore despite opening decently at the box-office.

Over the years, Kirstie Alley managed to always keep her personality interesting and she sporadically made the covers of certain celebrity magazines. While fans will remember her for her work in “Cheers” and Look Who’s Talking, I am reminded of her courage and determination to be who she truly was in the public eye even when she wasn’t at her most attractive. Her sense of humor always shone through. She will be missed.

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