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Background:
Kirstie Alley accomplished world-wide fame after portraying Sally Goodson in
David's Mother (1993), anxious bar-owner Rebecca Howe in the long running comedy
hit Cheers (1990) and Mollie in the blockbuster smash hit Look Who's Talking
(1989). Those three films also won her three Emmy awards. She also won Golden
Globes and People's Choice Awards for Best Actress for Look Who's Talking and
Cheers. Additionally, Alley received recognition for portraying Veronica Chase
in Veronica's Closet (1997), and was voted Best Actress at the People's Choice
Awards (1997).
Off screen, Alley, who shared an apartment with Mimi Rogers when they were first
starting out, reportedly has upset Officials with America's National Eating
Disorders Association (NEDA) for trivializing binge-eating disorders during the
debut of her new comedy show Fat Actress (2005). Moreover, Comedienne Rosie
O'Donnell was waging a fat war with Kirstie Alley after claiming John Travolta's
best friend is much heavier than the 210 pounds she claims to weigh. Rosie
O'Donnell later apologized for the weight comments.
Interior Decorator
Childhood and Family:
Daughter of Robert (lumber-company owner) and Mickie (killed in a car accident
in 1981), Gladys Leeman, who would later be famous as Kirstie Alley, was born on
January 12, 1955, in Wichita, Kansas. Along with her older sister Collette
(biology teacher) and younger brother Craig (lumber-company manager), she grew
up in a Catholic home.
Attending high school at Southeast High School in Wichita, Kansas, Kirstie, who
suffers from a fear of flying, became one of the cheerleaders at school. She
then continued her studies at the Kansas State University of Agriculture and
Applied Science in Manhattan, Kansas. After college, Kirstie became an interior
decorator. She also studied drama at the University of Kansas but dropped out in
her sophomore year in order to pursue an acting career.
During her adolescence, Kirstie enjoyed parties and during her "wild period"
used cocaine. After a family car accident, Kirstie decided to clean up her act,
relocated to California, went through drug rehabilitation, and became a
scientologist.
Kirstie married, and then later divorced (1996), actor and producer Parker
Stevenson (born on June 4, 1952). She now lives with her two adopted children,
son True Stevenson (born October 5, 1992) and daughter Lillie Price Stevenson
(born in 1994).
Look Who's Talking
Career:
First appearing as a contestant on the game shows Password and Match Game in the
1970s, Kirstie began acting in the early 1980s. She was cast as Vulcan student
Savic in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan (1982), after she completed her drug
rehabilitation program in California. Kirstie soon gathered roles in One More
Chance, (1983), Masquerade (1983, TV), Blind Date (1984), Champions (1984), Sins
of the Past (1984,TV) and Runaway (1984).
In 1985, Alley played the role of Gloria Steinem in A Bunny's Tale (1985, TV)
before eventually getting the lead role of Virgilia Hazard in the television
miniseries North and South (1985). The actress next could be seen on the small
screen in Prince of Bel Air (1986), North and South II (1986), Stark: Mirror
Image (1986), Infidelity (1987) and the wide screen project Summer School
(1987).
Alley's breakthrough moment came when she was chosen to replace Shelly Long in
the popular television comedy series Cheers (1987-1993). During the six years
she played character Rebecca Howe, Alley won an Emmy, Golden Globe and People's
Choice Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
Not wishing to be typecast as a comedian, Alley showcased her dramatic talent in
Shoot to Kill (1988), Lover Boy (1989) and starred in her first blockbuster hit
Look Who's Talking (1989) with John Travolta. The role of Molly garnered her an
Emmy, People's Choice, and Golden Globe Award
In the early 1990s, Alley appeared in Masquerade (1990, TV), Madhouse (1990),
Sibling Rivalry (1990) reprised her role as Rebecca in Cheers: 200th Anniversary
Special (1990), Look Who's Talking Too (1990), Cheers: Last Call (1993) and Look
Who's Talking Now (1993). In 1994, Alley won her third Emmy for her portrayal of
Sally Goodson in the made-for-TV movie drama David's Mother. The next year, she
portrayed Dr. Susan Verner in Village of the Damned (1995) and Diane Barrows in
It Takes Two (1995).
Green-eyed, brown-haired actress Alley was seen in Sticks and Stones (1996),
Peter and the Wolf (1996) (TV), Radiant City (1996,TV), Suddenly (1996,TV),
Nevada (1997), The Last Don (1997,TV), Toothless (1997,TV) and For Richer or
Poorer (1997).
Alley also gained notice when she produced and starred in the television hit
show Veronica's Closet (1997, as Veronica Chase). Though the series was
cancelled, Alley was honored with a People's Choice Award for Best Actress in a
Comedy Series and her bright performance also brought her a Golden Globe, Screen
Actors Guild and Emmy nomination in the first season the series aired. Alley
ended the decade by playing in The Mao Game (1999) and Drop Dead Gorgeous
(1999).
Entering the new millennium, the Emmy winning actress played the role of Elsie
in Blonde (2001, TV), and appeared on the wide screen as Gloria Beaumont in Back
by Midnight (2002). She then continued to act on the small screen with Salem
Witch Trials (2002), Profoundly Normal (2003), Family Sins (2004) and While I
Was Gone (2004). Currently, Alley portrays her self in her new comedy show Fat
Actress (2005).
Awards:
- People's Choice: Best Actress in a Comedy Series,
Veronica's Closet, 1997
- Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or
Special, David's Mother, 1993-94
- Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series,
Cheers, 1990-91
- People's Choice: Best Actress in a Comedy Series,
Cheers, 1990
- Golden Globe: Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy
Series, Cheers, 1990
- Emmy: Best Actress, Look Who's Talking, 1989
- Golden Globe: Best Actress, Look Who's Talking, 1989
- People's Choice: Best Actress, Look Who's Talking,
1989
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