Kirstie Alley death updates — Cheers star dies at 71 after private cancer battle as tributes flood in
KIRSTIE Alley has died at age 71 after a short battle with her "recently discovered" cancer, her family announced.
The Cheers actress was "surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength," her children wrote in a social media .
"As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother."
Kirstie won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe for her role as Rebecca Howe in Cheers.
Tributes to the star are pouring in now from fans and former costars, as actor John Travolta on Instagram that "Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had."
Read our Kirstie Alley blog for more updates...
Kirstie Alley’s kids
In October 1992, Kirstie Alley and her then-husband Parker Stevenson adopted their first son together.
William 'True' Stevenson is Kirstie's only son and the first of her two children.
In 1995, Kirstie and Parker added another member to their family with the adoption of their daughter Lillie Stevenson.
Prior to welcoming True and Lillie, the late Cheers actress suffered a miscarriage in 1990.
Last night True and Lillie confirmed their mother’s passing via social media with a
Kirstie had colon cancer
A rep for Kirstie Alley revealed the star had colon cancer before she died Monday, .
The 71-year-old was receiving treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.
Her children said Kirstie "only recently discovered" the cancer.
Broadway star pays tribute to Kirstie
Broadway star and actress Kristin Chenoweth made a for the late Alley.
She posted several photos of herself with Kirstie over the years both on and off stage.
Kristin wrote: "I love you, Kirstie. I will see you again someday. I can’t believe you’re gone.";
The broadway star appeared on Kirstie's 2013 sitcom, Kirstie, which premiered on TV Land.