Kirstie Alley, the actress who played Rebecca Howe on "Cheers," has died. He'd get the occasional line, but he typically just sat nearby Norm and Cliff while they did all the talking. She also worked on that series' scripts and had a long and impressive career making people laugh. In the episode "Adventures in Housesitting," Rebecca agreed to house-sit for Mr. Sheridan (only to lose his dogs), and the character returned again in "For Real Men Only" when Rebecca threw a retirement party for one of the character's business associates. She was Ms. Robin Elizabeth Bishop in the 1987 film Summer School, and played Gladys Leeman in Drop Dead Gorgeous, which came out in 1999. She was hardworking, occasionally selfish, very neurotic, and eventually got romantically involved with Sam, but it didn't last. Sad, sad news. Ratzenberger had small roles in blockbusters Superman, Superman II and The Empire Strikes Back. December 6, 2022 / 10:51 AM / CBS Boston BOSTON - Members of the iconic show "Cheers" are mourning the death of actress Kirstie Alley, who died following a brief battle with cancer. Wright played a politician named Jim Fleener on a two-episode arc called "Strange Bedfellows" in 1986. The Church of Scientology called her a beloved member and said she will be missed. The show ran for 11 seasons between 1993 and 2004, making it one of the most successful TV spin-offs of all time. As his husband, Rick Elice, told the New York Post, Rees was diagnosed with brain cancer in October 2014. On the TV front, Harrelson reprised his role as Woody in an episode of "Frasier," a performance which got him another Emmy nomination. The children of the actress, True, 30, and Lily, 28, issued a statement on social media Monday confirming the sad news of her passing, just four months after the 40th anniversary of the show. Instead, he steered boats for the U.S. Navy during World War II. ", In 2010, she had her own reality show, "Kirstie Alley's Big Life.". "Cheers" turned 40 years old on September 30. He competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2007. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. She played Goldie on "Fish Police" and Helena Rozhenko on "Star Trek: The Next Generation." READ MORE: How Woody Harrelson Helped Cheers Overcome the Death of a Beloved Character. Curtis died in 2002 at age 79 from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Playing kind but slow-witted Woody Boyd, Woody Harrelson took on the assistant bartender role following the death of actor Nicholas Colasanto who played Coach during the first three seasons of "Cheers." In 2022, she had a role in the coming-of-age musical film "13," which is based on the 2008 Broadway musical of the same name. Emmy-winning actor Kirstie Alley, known for her role in the sitcom "Cheers," the "Look Who's Talking" films and other roles, has died of cancer, her family said in a statement Monday. Although he hated the food, he kept going back and it turned out to be where Corrine labored when she wasn't at Cheers. Photos: (Left) NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images (Right) Mike Coppola/Getty Images. Alley was a member of the Church of Scientology, which she often defended in interviews. His first acting credit saw him appear on "Hill Street Blues" in 1982, and he continued to act in movies throughout the 1980s and 1990s. As Diane Chambers, Shelley Long was the perfect counter-balance to Dansons Malone. The low-key sitcom took place in and around Cheers, a Boston bar "where everybody knows your name," run by ex-Red Sox pitcher Sam "Mayday" Malone (Ted Danson), along with bartender Ernie "Coach" Pantusso (Nicholas Colasanto, later WoodyHarrelson's Woody Boyd), irascible waitress Carla Tortelli (Rhea Perlman), romantic interest Diane (Shelly Long, later yielding to Kirstie Alley's Rebecca) and chatty barflies Frasier (KelseyGrammer), Cliff (John Ratzenberger), and Norm (George Wendt). She also reprised her role as Diane in the Cheers spin-off "Frasier." The details of her illness were not disclosed. Following "Cheers" Rhea Perlman starred in the short-lived TV series Pearl (1996-1997) and appeared on the big screen in Matilda (1996). Alley played Rebecca Howe on the iconic 1982 sitcom, which first aired nearly 40 years ago on September 30, 1982 and went on to broadcast 275 episodes across 11 seasons. Carla was a waitress like Diane, however she was a lot more brazen than her. IE 11 is not supported. Sam was also popular with the ladies, and had a love-hate relationship with cocktail waitress Diane Chambers, played by Shelley Long. In his 1995 biography 'So Far' Kelsey claimed Shelley was unpopular with producers on Cheers. ", She also starred in movies that are now cult favorites, like "It Takes Two," which co-starred the Olsen twins, "Look Who's Talking," "Looking Who's Talking Too," "Look Who's Talking Now," "Drop Dead Gorgeous," and "Deconstructing Harry. Harrelson is a vegan and well known for environmentalism and charity work. The illness was only recently discovered, her family said. Suffice to say, his career ran the gamut of genres. He famously starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, and Matthew Perry on the NBC sitcom for ten years across 150 episodes. Then in February 1985, Colasanto died at age 61. In a 2016 tribute special to James Burrows, Rhea lovingly recalled one scene in particular: "I got to throw water in my father's face. His character knew useless and questionable facts and happily spoke to anyone who came within a few yards of them. Alley was also a spokesperson for Jenny Craig and was vocal about her struggles with her weight. For most of the 1980s and the first few years of the '90s, "Cheers" wasn't simply a place "where everybody knows your name." Markie Post is probably best known for playing defense attorney Christine Sullivan on "Night Court." "I am so sad and so grateful for all the times she made me laugh. Mr. Sheridan returns once more in "For Real Men Only," which centers around Rebecca throwing a retirement party for the company. After Frasier ended in 2004, Grammer began appearing in more films, and scored roles in blockbusters including X Men: The Last Stand and Transformers: Age of Extinction and was known for his voice work, notably as the evil Sideshow Bob in The Simpsons. I love you Kirstie. It is Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, not Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan.. You can various bits of trivia about these Cheers stars, such as where the actor was born and what their year of birth is. They share three children together. Shelley quit at the end of Season 5 in 1986, believing her character had run its course. Her family thanked the incredible team of doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center for their care.. Grammer earned two Emmy nominations for his role as Frasier on "Cheers.". There were customers at Cheers beyond just Norm Peterson, Cliff Clavin, and bespectacled Paul. He was written out of the show as having died off-screen and a picture from his dressing room was placed on the set as a tribute. Carla often referred to him or spoke to him on the phone, so he had a presence on the series. I admire her. After "Cheers" ended, Grammer, 67, took Frasier to the west coast and began starring on "Frasier." He died on December 22, 2009, while at home with his family. Next year, she'll be in the "Barbie" film. She won two Emmy awards for outstanding lead in a comedy series in Cheers in 1991, and for outstanding lead in a miniseries or special for her role as Sally Goodson in Davids Mother in 1994. In addition to his close-to-his-daughter regular gig on Cheers, he frequently took small roles in projects starring or directed by his son-in-law, Danny DeVito, such as Throw Momma from the Train, Hoffa, Other People's Money, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Shelley Long. Cheers was the actor's first ever role, yet he is arguably the most successful of the cast, appearing in numerous hit films and television shows, including Oscar Best Picture winner No Country for Old Men, the Hunger Games franchise and his Emmy-nominated role in HBO's True Detective. About a year after receiving a cancer diagnosis, Rees died in 2015 at age 71. Wendt received six Emmy nominations for his work on "Cheers" and went on to star in the short-lived The George Wendt Show (1995). For much of his adult life, Michael Currie was a regular guest star on sitcoms and procedural crime dramas. She recorded some albums and performed in cabarets before joining Annie Ross in the singing quartet, Lambert, Hendricks, Ross & Brown. On December 30, 1995, Grau died at the age of 71 from respiratory failure. Alley joined the cast of "Cheers" in 1987 as bar manager Rebecca Howe and left in 1993. In the episode, Carla begins dating for the first time after Eddie's death, but it's not easy for her. walking over to a picture of Geronimo that Colasanto loved and straightening i. Between 1989 and 1993, Rees appeared on 17 episodes of "Cheers," which show him wining, dining, and ultimately, using Rebecca for her corporate access. .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}James Cameron Keeps Smashing His Own Records, The Cocaine Bear Drug Smuggler Was a Real Person, Meet The Last of Us Creator Neil Druckmann, The Last of Us Cast Guide: Actors and Characters, Biography: Jon Stewart (Community Heroes), Biography: You Need to Know: Dorothy Arzner. Sheappeared in three episodes throughout 1986 and 1987. Learn more. The character was eventually reintroduced into "The Simpsons" universe as Lunchlady Dora. His longtime publicist Tom Estey confirmed the news to EW. Kirstie was one of the most special relationships Ive ever had. The most commonly seen among these patrons: a guy named Phil. The good guys eventually won, however, getting the rooms back (for a large sum) while keeping John Allen Hill at a hostile arm's length for 15 episodes, during which time the character also engaged in an unlikely affair with Carla. Emmy-winning actor Kirstie Alley, known for her role in the sitcom Cheers, the Look Whos Talking films and other roles, has died of cancer, her family said in a statement Monday. She was introduced as bar waitress Carla's primary spiritual advisor, whom she'd been seeing since she was a teenager for life advice. ", He also has played dramatic roles, like Dr. Geoffrey Skadden in "Dr. Death," and Gore Bellows in "Proven Innocent.". Georgia Brown's professional life began when she started singing in nightclubs at a young age. Thomas continued acting throughout the 1980s before landing a recurring role on "Cheers" as Eddie LeBec, a down-on-his-luck goalie for the Boston Bruins who woos and marries Rhea Perlman's Carla. Later, the show would air "Birth, Death, Love and Rice," an episode that addressed Coach's death and introduced Woody Harrelson as a new (also dim) bartender. Despite his numerous annoying tendencies, Cliff had a heart of gold and, although they didn't always show it, the Cheers gang loved him to bits. Harry Anderson (Harry 'The Hat' Gittes) NBC/YouTube Harry Anderson is best known for playing Judge Harry T. Stone on "Night Court." The popular NBC. In the Season 5 episode "Cheers: The Motion Picture," Norm became obsessed with The Hungry Heifer, a Boston restaurant that served terrible food of questionable origin, but it was cheap and presented in very large portions. His wife was with him at the time and reported his death. Here are the "Cheers" stars who have died. Kirstie Alley died at 71 after battling cancer, her family announced on Monday. ", Alley also appeared in reality show competitions like "Dancing With the Stars" and "Celebrity Big Brother (UK). Rhea Perlman, 74, appeared in every episode of the show as impatient waitress Carla Tortelli who was well-known for her violent temper and disdain of almost everyone in the bar aside from Sam. The actor died from complications of cancer at age 75 in 2019. Photo: Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images. Sam dated a city council member who Diane thought was using him, so to retaliate she went to work as a volunteer coordinator for the politician's opponent, a nerdy guy named Jim Fleener. "They brought in this new girl, Kirstie, and she lit up the room," Grammer recalls. Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Nicholas Colasanto, Rhea Perlman, Woody Harrelson, and Kelsey Grammer all gave unforgettable performances on the long-running series. After the end of Cheers, he launched a TV show of his own. Like the majority of her castmates, Cheers catapulted her into stardom, although she had a small role on popular comedy Taxi prior. Currie was 81. As he recounted to NPR, his career in showbiz kicked off when his Magic Castle act piqued the interest of Kenny Rogers' manager. Harry Anderson is best known for playing Judge Harry T. Stone on "Night Court." Wendt has been married to Bernadette Birkett who played the voice of the mysterious Vera on Cheers since 1978 and they have one daughter and two sons. Throughout the '90s, he appeared in iconic films like "Natural Born Killers" and "White Men Can't Jump.". Each day, Norm enjoyed a drink at the bar next to his best friend Cliff. Ted Danson, whose character in Cheers, Sam Malone, pursues Howe as a love interest but is frequently rebuffed, recalled that he had watched an old episode on a plane Monday in which Alley was truly brilliant.. After her role in "Cheers," Long, 73, continued her television work, starring in the series "Kelly Kelly." Diane left "Cheers" after season five, but returned in the final episode of season 11. Running on NBC between 1982 and 1993, Cheers followed the stories of the staff and customers of the fictional Cheers bar in Boston, Massachusetts.With 28 Emmy Awards and a record 117 nominations across 11 seasons and 275 episodes under its belt, Cheers is one of the best-loved sitcoms of all time.According to estimates from NBC, around 93 million viewers tuned in to watch the final episode . Harrelson's career is filled with iconic roles that showcase his incredible dramatic acting skills. Her children announced her death in a heartfelt statement on Instagram. I know we will see each other again, Travolta posted to Instagram. 'You people have lost your minds. She was. He claimed producers grew tired of her constant complaints about his own character and plotlines. Woody Harrelson asWoody Boyd; (L) Harrelson, 61, pictured asWoody Boyd in a Cheers cast portrait; (R)Harrelson seen on May 22, 2022 in Cannes, France. Danson on the other hand is much more of a one-woman man, having been married to actress Mary Steenburgen since 1995 after meeting on the set of Pontiac Moon in 1993. In 2021, it was announced that Grammer would reprise his role as Frasier in a revival series, though it hasn't premiered yet. Ted Danson got his big break on "Cheers," starring as bartender Sam Malone from 1982-1993. He voiced Hamm in the first-ever Pixar movie, "Toy Story," and had a voice role in every single one, until 2020's "Soul," though his likeness was seen. The writers chose tooff his character off-screen and made him a polygamist, which was revealed at his funeral. She sees him everywhere, and the guilt forces her to conclude that he's haunting her. Actress Kirstie Alley has died at the age of 71, according to a statement from her family. Post was 70 years old. Stream all seasons of "Cheers" with a Parmount+ subscription: When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Alley's ex-husband Parker Stevenson, who she was married to from 1983-1997, posted a poignant memorial in which he said she 'will be missed', Alley's friend and Look Who's Talking costar John Travolta said, 'I love you Kirstie', Alley's Cheers costarKelsey Grammer said in a statement, 'I always believed grief for a public figure is a private matter, but I will say I loved her', Jamie Lee Curtis called Alley 'a beautiful mama bear in her very real life', Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin called her late friend 'complex, energetic, animated and hilarious' in a tweet, TV stalwarts such as William Shatner, Tim Allen and Jason Alexander were among the stars to send condolences following news of the star's death, Megyn Kelly called Alley 'a beautiful, brave, funny and beloved woman', Carmen Electra called Alley a 'beautifully talented soul' in a social media post, Dancing with the Stars proPeta Murgatroyd shared a shot of Alley dancing with her husbandMaksim Chmerkovskiy on one of her stints on the ABC ballroom show, Chmerkovskiy hailed Alley, his one-time dance partner, in an extensive post, Carl Weathers alluded to the theme song from Cheers in his memorial to Alley, Jacke Harry remembered her friend as 'an undeniable talent who brought joy to many', Josh Gad pointed out Alley's professional achievements and said that she possessed an 'iconic' charisma, Past colleagues of Alley hailed her 'welcoming' nature and kind demeanor on set, Screenwriter Steven Canals said that Alley's work 'inspired so many', A number of other notable personalities took to the social media site to pay memorial, PETA paid tribute to Alley and noted her efforts to help animals throughout her life, SAG-AFTRA sent their condolences to Alley's kids, friends and fans, noting she was a member for 40 years, Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. Cliff's best friend was fellow bar patron Norm Peterson. He continued playing small parts in film and television before landing the role that earned him the most fame, playing Willie Tanner on "Alf" from 1986 to 1990. He died on October 13, 2002, at the age of 79. First appearing in the Season 1 episode "The Boys in the Bar," Al was a regular customer of Cheers, ultimately showing up in more than 70 installments of the comedy series. Five-time Emmy-winner Kelsey Grammer will forever be associated with the erudite, if hapless, psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane, whom he portrayed for two decades on "Cheers" (1984-1993) and the spinoff sitcom Frasier (1993-2004). Ted Danson as Sam 'Mayday' Malone. In real life, Phil was Philip Perlman, and he was the father of Cheerscast member Rhea Perlman. Madame Lazora is a character in the expanded Cheers universe, appearing once in 1990 and again in 1991. He was very well-known by the employees, and always received a loud greeting whenever he entered the bar. Alley's comedic ability was on full display throughout her tenure, with Rebecca taking over the management of Cheers, rebuffing Sam's advances, and leading several storylines most of which centered around her tumultuous love life and her ability to somehow stick her foot in her mouth in just about every situation imaginable. Currie worked only occasionally in the 1990s, and retired from acting entirely after the new millennium. Ted Danson, 74, starred as Sam Malone on the hit show and was one of only three characters to appear in all 275 episodes. Danson was nominated for 11 consecutive Emmy Awards for his role as Sam, finally winning Best Actor in a Comedy in 1990 and then again in 1993. Perlman was married to her "Matilda" co-star Danny DeVito, Grammer would reprise his role as Frasier, Paramount Plus Essential Monthly Plan (ad-supported). Pointing out that Cheers' pool room and bathrooms technically belonged to Melville's, he demanded rent, and when Sam refused to pay, he sealed them off. Colosanto also worked as an actor in various films, but he's best known for playing Coach on "Cheers.". Kelsey Grammer, 67, entered Cheers as psychiatrist Frasier Crane in season three. Danson, 74, has graced our television screens for decades, acting in award-winning series that have become staples in pop culture like "Frasier" (as Sam) and "Curb Your Enthusiasm. Cheers cast members reacted with sadness to the news. He went on to win an Emmy Award for his role and five nominations. Despite the volatile nature of her and Sam's relationship, they attempted to make it work romantically frequently throughout the show. He spent much of his career working as a television series director, having directed episodes of "Bonanza," "Starsky & Hutch," and "Hawaii Five-O," to name a few. ", In the '90s and early 2000s, Long portrayed Carol Brady (the matriarch of the Brady family) in the "The Brady Bunch Movie," as well as the follow-up films "A Very Brady Sequel" and "The Brady Bunch in the White House. Harry the Hat didn't appear much in the late '80s and early '90s, because actor and actual magician Harry Andersonwas very busy starring on Night Court, another beloved NBC sitcom that often followed Cheers on the Thursday night schedule. Gunther was even. She competed on Dancing With the Stars (2011) and placed second overall. The two-time Emmy winner's consistent decades-long work also included a 2022 turn on "The Masked Singer" as the Baby Mammoth. What began as simply a guest spot, Grammer's Frasier became a fixture at the bar and a beloved series regular. Nicholas Colasanto pictured as 'Coach' Ernie Pantusso in1982. He is a father to three daughters with his wife Laura Louie, who he has been with since 1987. After wrapping up her time on "Cheers," Post had several appearances in other established shows. She also played Veronica Chase in the television series Veronicas Closet, which ran from 1997 to 2000. All Rights Reserved. At the time, she was in London to film a tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. Philip Perlman didn't become an actor until he retired working in the toy industry, according toThe Hollywood Reporter. Roger Rees portrayed the slimy Robin Colcord over 17 Cheers episodes, his biggest TV role in a career full of memorable performances, mostly in film (he memorably portrayed the Sheriff of Rottingham in Mel Brooks' Robin Hood: Men in Tights)and stage work. On August 7, 2021, Deadline reported that she died nearly four years after being diagnosed with cancer. Other than Cheers, his biggest claim to fame was a brush with some other comedy legends: he was a stuntman for The Three Stooges. Neuwirth wasn't officially a main cast member until Season . Alongside television, she has also starred in iconic cult classic films like "Matilda" (which was directed by her husband Danny DeVito), "Class Act" and "Sunset Park. I have to kiss Rhea Perlman.'". Alley joined "Cheers" in its sixth season, replacing original cast member Shelley Long, who left the show. He continued to work for as long as he could while undergoing treatment. He went on to land lead movie roles in Indecent Proposal (1993), Natural Born Killers (1994) and was nominated for a lead actor Academy Award for The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996). He earned two more Oscar nominations in 2009 and 2018, for "The Messenger" and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," respectively. Al's last quasi-cameo came in the 1989 episode "Two Girls for Every Boyd," although in 1990, "Norm and Cliff's Excellent Adventure" was dedicated to the memory of the actor who had portrayed him, Al Rosen, who died in August 1990 at age 80. I send my love to her children. Join Facts Verse as Shelley Long's true feelings about the Cheers cast finally confirmed. The show remains one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time. She has also been an on-again-off-again spokesperson for Jenny Craig. Anderson's Harry "The Hat" Gittes, a swindler with a knack for sleight of hand, appeared in six episodes from 1982 until '87. A few years before that happened, he had some success as Karl Shub on "Buffalo Bill" before landing a role on "Cheers." Another background barfly who appeared over and over again on Cheers: a guy name Al, who appeared in the fringes of the fictional Boston bar, milking his drink while Sam and Diane bickered or Norm and Cliff shot the breeze. When Brown left, the trio had more success, while Brown transitioned to working on television. Ernie "Coach" Pantusso was introduced in the pilot as Sam Malone's former coach and mentor when he played ball for the Red Sox. "And I was seen there, asked to do 'Saturday Night Live,' which I did nine or 10 times over the years.". Brown returned to play the character once more in "Madame LaCarla," and continued working in television until 1992. This list includes all of the Cheers main actors and actresses, so if they are an integral part of the show you'll find them below. Outside of television and movies, she's also a children's book author. "Cheers" was often filled with extras, but some of the people seen in the background of a shot came back to the bar, time and time again. For example, he played a Governor on Soap, a minister on Knots Landing, and a boss on Family Ties. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Tim Allen, who co-starred with Alley in the 1997 film For Richer or Poorer, tweeted that Alley was a sweet soul.. Rees' most notable TV work during this time includes playing John Stonebrake on M.A.N.T.I.S., Lord John Marbury on "The West Wing," and James MacPherson on "Warehouse 13." Before meeting Steenburgen he had been married twice and famously dated Whoopi Goldberg. Rees did a lot of Broadway, earning Tony Award nominations for directing and acting, and won in 1982 for The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. Harrelson won an Emmy for his role as Woody Boyd. Married to actor Paul Dorman from 1984 to 1991, she wed writer and director Chris Calkins in 2004. He co-starred with his "Cheers" cast-mate John Ratzenberger in "Monster's Inc.," as well. He came into the role after directing episodes of shows including Starsky and Hutch, CHiPs, Columbo and the original Hawaii Five-O.