Early Life and Education
Kirstie Louise Alley was born in Wichita, Kansas, on January 12, 1951. Born Roman Catholic, she graduated from Wichita Southeast High School in 1969. Following graduation, she attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, from September 1969 to May 1970, studying pre-law and interior design. Alley moved to Los Angeles at 19 to study interior design and explore entertainment job options.
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| January 12, 1951 | Birth | Wichita, Kansas |
| June 1969 | High school graduation | Wichita, Kansas |
| September 1969 | Enrollment at Kansas State University | Manhattan, Kansas |
| May 1970 | Departure from university; move to Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA |
Breakthrough in Film
Alley’s first major screen role occurred in 1982 when she portrayed Lieutenant Saavik in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. At age 31, this role provided national visibility, despite her decision not to reprise the character in later installments. Following that performance, she secured roles in several high‑profile films during the 1980s and 1990s, showcasing versatility across genres from science fiction to romantic comedy.
| Year | Film Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan | Lt. Saavik |
| 1989 | Look Who’s Talking | Mollie Jensen–Ubriacco |
| 1990 | Oscar | Rita |
| 1992 | Look Who’s Talking Too | Mollie Jensen–Ubriacco |
| 1994 | It Takes Two | Rachel McCann |
| 1999 | Drop Dead Gorgeous | Peggy Ann Steingold |
By age 38, Alley had appeared in five major films, collectively grossing over $300 million worldwide by the end of 1994. Her work in Look Who’s Talking (1989) alone accounted for approximately $295 million at the box office.
Television Career and Achievements
Alley’s television career officially launched in 1987 when she joined the cast of Cheers as Rebecca Howe at age 36. Between September 24, 1987, and May 20, 1993, she appeared in 142 episodes. Her performance earned her both an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy in 1991, at age 40.
| Show | Years Active | Episodes | Role | Awards (Year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheers | 1987–1993 | 142 | Rebecca Howe | Emmy (1991), Golden Globe (1991) |
| Veronica’s Closet | 1997–2000 | 66 | Veronica Chase | Nominated Golden Globe (1998, 1999) |
| Kirstie Alley’s Big Life |
2010 | 8 | Herself | — |
| The Masked Singer | 2022 | 1 | Herself | — |
During her 13‑year television career (1987–2000), Alley headlined two sitcoms and starred in a reality series, appearing before an estimated cumulative audience of over 100 million American households.
Personal Life and Family
Alley’s personal life featured two marriages and a close‐knit family of four direct descendants. She first married Robert “Bob” Alley on July 23, 1971, at age 20; they divorced on March 15, 1977. In October 1983, at age 32, she married actor Parker Stevenson in Kansas City, Missouri. The couple adopted two children: William True Stevenson on January 8, 1992, when Alley was 40, and Lillie Price Stevenson on February 11, 1994, at age 43. Alley and Stevenson divorced on January 22, 1997.
| Relationship | Partner | Marriage Dates |
|---|---|---|
| First marriage | Robert “Bob” Alley | July 23, 1971 – March 15, 1977 |
| Second marriage | Parker Stevenson | October 21, 1983 – January 22, 1997 |
| Child | Birth Date | Adoption/Birth |
|---|---|---|
| William True | January 8, 1992 | Adopted (1992) |
| Lillie Price | February 11, 1994 | Adopted (1994) |
| Grandchild (son of William) | June 2016 | Biological |
Alley celebrated becoming a grandmother in June 2016, when her son William True welcomed a son of his own. She frequently cited her roles as mother and grandmother as her proudest achievements.
Advocate, Business, and Health Issues
Alley openly discussed her weight loss and addiction throughout her career. At 55 years old, she finished a 12-week voluntary program for cocaine abuse in 2006. In March 2010, at 59, she began a national weight-loss venture focussing on organic diets and supplements.
| Year | Venture/Advocacy | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Public disclosure | Overcame cocaine addiction |
| 2010 | Weight‑loss company launch | Organic meal plans and supplements |
| 2012 | National seminars | Body positivity and self‑acceptance |
Alley held over 50 lectures in 30 U.S. cities by 2012, reaching 10,000 people. Despite public scrutiny of weight fluctuations (128-181 lbs in her 50s), she promoted holistic health, focussing on both physical and mental well-being.
Final Years and Legacy
In early 2022, at age 71, Alley made a one‑night return to television on The Masked Singer (aired February 9, 2022), surprising audiences with her enduring charisma. Just 10 months later, on December 5, 2022, she passed away at 71 after a battle with cancer that lasted fewer than three months. At the time of her death, her net worth was estimated at $60 million, derived from 56 film credits and 216 television appearances over a 40‑year span.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 9, 2022 | The Masked Singer appearance |
| September 1, 2022 | Diagnosis of cancer (approximate) |
| December 5, 2022 | Death at age 71 |
Alley has over 80 film and television credits from 1982 to 2022, generating over $600 million in box-office income and over $1 billion in syndicated television revenue. Three major victories and five nominations are her career awards.
FAQ
When was Kirstie Alley born?
She was born in Wichita, Kansas, on January 12, 1951.
When did she pass away?
She died on December 5, 2022, at the age of 71.
What was her breakout role?
Her breakout screen role was as Lieutenant Saavik in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982).
How many children did she have?
She adopted two children: William True Stevenson in 1992 and Lillie Price Stevenson in 1994.
What awards did she win?
She won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe in 1991 for her role on Cheers.
Where did she study after high school?
She attended Kansas State University from September 1969 to May 1970.
When did she star on Cheers?
She starred on Cheers from September 1987 through May 1993.
What business did she start in 2010?
In March 2010, she launched a weight‑loss company focused on organic meal plans.
