Ted Danson leads ‘Cheers’ cast tributes to Kirstie Alley after her death
Ted Danson and several other “Cheers” stars are remembering their co-star Kirstie Alley following her death on Monday.
“I was on a plane today and did something I rarely do. I watched an old episode of ‘Cheers,’” Danson, who played Sam Malone in the beloved series, said in a statement to People.
“It was the episode where Tom Berenger proposes to Kirstie, who keeps saying no, even though she desperately wants to say yes.”
Danson then gushed about the “truly brilliant” late actress, saying her ability to portray Rebecca Howe was “both moving and hysterically funny.”
“As I got off the plane, I heard that Kirstie had died,” Danson, 74, revealed.
“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.”
![Kirstie Alley.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/pagesix.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/ted-danson-kirstie-alley-cheers-44.jpg)
Read more of our Kirstie Alley coverage on Page Six:
- Kirstie Alley’s ex-husband Parker Stevenson posts tribute after her death
- Kirstie Alley was diagnosed with colon cancer before death
- ‘I love you’: John Travolta pays tribute to ‘special’ Kirstie Alley
Alley was also remembered by Kelsey Grammer, who portrayed Dr. Frasier Crane on “Cheers.”
“I always believed grief for a public figure is a private matter, but I will say I loved her,” the actor, 67, told People in his own statement.
Advertisement
![Ted Danson and Kirstie Alley.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/pagesix.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/ted-danson-kirstie-alley-cheers-47.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=388)
![Ted Danson and Kirstie Alley.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/pagesix.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/ted-danson-kirstie-alley-cheers-48.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=878)
![Ted Danson and Kirstie Alley.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/pagesix.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/ted-danson-kirstie-alley-cheers-46-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=394)
Rhea Perlman also mourned her late co-star, calling her a “unique and wonderful person and friend.”
“Her joy of being was boundless,” the 74-year-old actress, who played Carla Tortelli in the sitcom, told the outlet. “We became friends almost instantly when she joined the cast.”
Advertisement
![The cast of "Cheers."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/pagesix.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/ted-danson-kirstie-alley-cheers-49.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=510)
![The cast of "Cheers."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/pagesix.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/ted-danson-kirstie-alley-cheers-45.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=875)
Perlman shared that her kids “loved” Alley and their family would have sleepovers at the “Veronica’s Closet” actress’s home.
“She had massive Halloween and Easter parties and invited the entire crew of the show and their families. She wanted everyone to feel included,” the “Matilda” actress added.
Advertisement
![Kelsey Grammer and Kirstie Alley filming "Cheers."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/pagesix.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/ted-danson-kirstie-alley-cheers-50.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=878)
![Rhea Perlman and Kirstie Alley filming "Cheers."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/pagesix.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/ted-danson-kirstie-alley-cheers-51.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=384)
![The cast of "Cheers" filming.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/pagesix.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/ted-danson-kirstie-alley-cheers-52.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=795)
“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.”
Alley died at age 71 following a short battle with cancer, according to her son, William “True” Stevenson, 30, and daughter, Lillie Price Stevenson, 28, who announced the news of their mother’s death on her social media accounts on Monday.