Kelsey Grammer reflects on the passing of his friend and Cheers co-star Kirstie Alley

Months on from the sudden passing of actress Kirstie Alley, her close friend and Cheers co-star Kelsey Grammer has delivered a touching tribute to the star while sharing some of the special memories he shared with her.

Alley, 71, died following a private battle with cancer on Monday, December 5, 2022, triggering an outpouring of grief from both fans and celebrities alike.

Now during a recent appearance on The Rachael Ray Show, Grammer has reflected on Alley’s life and the time he shared with her, describing the late actress as “radiant”.

“I loved Kirstie,” Grammer said.

“She was always beautiful. She just had that thing about her. She was a radiant human being and that came through her.

“She knew how to love. She was so honest in her emotions all the time.”

Grammer recalled an incident when he “got in trouble with the law” and how Alley was there to help and offer support.

“She showed up,” he said.

“She was one of the only ones who really showed up to be supportive and that was magnificent.

“She always made me laugh. Everything she did made me giggle. The first time I went to her house there were lemurs living on the property and I thought, only in Kirstie’s world.”

The entertainment world was rocked by the sudden death of Alley in 2022 after her children confirmed the devastating news in a statement issued to social media.

 

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Her two children, daughter Lillie Parker, and son True described their mother as “incredible, fierce, and loving” while announcing her passing to the world.

“To all our friends, far and wide around the world,” the statement read.

“We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce, and loving mother has 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. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.

“We are grateful to the incredible team of doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center for their care.

“Our mother’s zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating, were unparalleled and leave us inspired to live life to the fullest just as she did.

“We thank you for your love and prayers and ask that you respect our privacy at this difficult time.”

Alley enjoyed an acting career that spanned more than three decades with appearances in film such as Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan in 1982, Village of the Damned in 1995, Deconstructing Harry in 1997, and the 1994 television film David’s Mother, for which she received her second Emmy award.

Her breakout role, and the one which she is best known for, came in 1987 when she was cast as Rebecca Howe for the NBC hit show Cheers.

She received a Golden Globe for Best Actress and and an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in 1991 for her work on the series.

On November 10, 1995, Alley’s contribution to film was recognised with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.