Kirstie Alley Mourned By ‘Cheers’ Co-Stars, Jamie Lee Curtis and More: “She Was Such a Dynamite”

Soon after the news broke of Kirstie Alley‘s unexpected passing, Hollywood took to social media to mourn the late Cheers star, who died at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer, which was only recently discovered, according to a statement shared by her family yesterday (Dec. 5).

In a statement to Deadline, Alley’s former Cheers co-star Ted Danson, who played Sam Malone on the long-running sitcom, said he was on a plane earlier in the day when he watched an old episode of their show. In the episode, Tom Berenger’s character proposes to Alley, who keeps saying no, despite wanting to say yes.

“Kirstie was truly brilliant in it. 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,” Danson told Deadline. “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.”

Kelsey Grammer, who played Dr. Frasier Crane on the show, told the outlet, “I always believed grief for a public figure is a private matter, but I will say I loved her.”

Meanwhile, Rhea Perlman, who played Cheers‘ Carla Tortelli, remembered Alley as a “unique and wonderful person and friend,” per Deadline.

She continued, “Her joy of being was boundless. We became friends almost instantly when she joined the cast of Cheers. She loved kids and my kids loved her too. We had sleepovers at her house, with treasure hunts that she created. She had massive Halloween and Easter parties and invited the entire crew of the show and their families. She wanted everyone to feel included. She loved her children deeply. I’ve never met anyone remotely like her.  I feel so thankful to have known her.  I’m going to miss her very, very much.”

Jamie Lee Curtis, who worked with Alley in the 2016 horror-comedy series Scream Queens, also paid tribute to her former co-star on social media.

“She was a great comic foil in @tvscreamqueens and a beautiful mama bear in her very real life,” she wrote. “She helped me buy onesies for my family that year for Christmas. We agreed to disagree about some things but had a mutual respect and connection. Sad news.”

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Under Curtis’ post, Selma Blair commented, “She was such a dynamite. Sad news indeed. May her memories be a blessing. Love.”

Tim Allen wrote on Twitter, “A sweet soul pass on in Kristie Alley. Sad, sad news. Prayers for all her family,” while Kristin Chenoweth wrote in her own post, “I love you, Kirstie. I will see you again someday. I can’t believe you’re gone.”

Jackée Harry called Alley an “undeniable talent who brought joy to many,” before remembering her “warm, hilarious spirit.”

She added, “RIP, luv. You were one of a kind.”