Cheers star Kirstie Alley dies, after battle with cancer

American film and TV actress Kirstie Alley has died.

Alley, the star of 1980s sitcom Cheers and the Look Who’s Talking films, along with a string over other TV and film hits, was 71.

Her children, True and Lillie Parker, confirmed Alley’s death in a statement on Tuesday afternoon Australian time.

“We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered,” they said in a statement.

“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.”

The siblings also thanks the “incredible team of doctors and nurses” at Florida’s Moffitt Cancer Centre.

Alley’s manager Donovan Daughtry also confirmed the death in an email to The Associated Press.

Alley had numerous other film and TV credits from the 1980s and 1990s, Village of the Damned and Deconstructing Harry (1997), and 1999’s Drop Dead Gorgeous.

She won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her role as Rebecca Howe in Cheers, and earned further nominations for her starring role in another sitcom, Veronica’s Closet.

Alley’s second Emmy came in 1994 for the television film David’s Mother.

In their statement on Tuesday, her children remembered Alley’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”.

They also thanked her fans.

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

-more to come

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