Top 10 Best Kirstie Alley Moments
#10: Her Last Regular TV Role
“Scream Queens” (2015-16)
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Most TV actors are lucky if they land a role on one hit series, but Alley spanned generations, starring in multiple shows for almost three decades. Her last regular TV gig was on the short lived yet beloved horror comedy, “Scream Queens.” Taking place in a hellish hospital, Season 2 introduces Alley as Ingrid Hoffel, a nurse with a secret. While her name rhymes with “awful,” Hoffel isn’t unsympathetic, as a certain Chanel wronged her in the past. Hoffel takes matters too far, though, as she plans an explosive revenge plot. Although she doesn’t succeed, Hoffel gets to demonstrate her machete skills before the swamp claims another body. In a show built around twists, Alley kept us guessing while bringing her signature sass to the role.
#9: Being Open About Body Image & Weight
“Fat Actress” (2005)
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Many people tend to be apprehensive when discussing their weight. But Alley tackled the topic head-on, publicly speaking about it in multiple instances. After appearing as a spokesperson for Jenny Craig for years, she flipped the script and helped create and star in the Showtime series “Fat Actress.” The comedy drew much from Alley’s real life with a lean towards ad-libbing, focusing on how difficult it is to live in a bigger body in Hollywood. She used her experiences as an opportunity to bring the laughs, something Alley references when she returned to Jenny Craig in 2014, saying, “If someone’s attacking me for my weight, I go flourish and prosper somewhere else in the universe. I’m the master blaster of turning lemons into lemonade.”
#8: Everybody Knows the Host’s Name
“Saturday Night Live” (1975-)
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Alley hosted “SNL” twice in the early 90s. During her first round, she was joined by some familiar faces for her monologue. The crowd went wild when Woody Harrelson joined Alley in singing the classic “Cheers” theme, but it didn’t end there. The monologue kept gaining momentum as Kelsey Grammer, George Wendt, and Ted Danson popped up. It was also an “SNL” reunion of sorts, as Alley’s co-stars had all hosted in the past… well, except for Frasier, who’d have to wait until 1994. Alley hosted again in 1993, albeit under sadder circumstances since “Cheers” was ending. The “SNL” cast tried cheering Alley up by dressing as the bar’s usual suspects. It’s not quite the same, but Adam Sandler as Carla is pretty inspired.
#7: Her Reality TV Appearances
Various
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While best known for her comedic chops, Alley branched out to various genres, including reality TV. She took center stage with her first major reality show stint, “Kirstie Alley’s Big Life.” This series centered on Alley losing weight along with several others, including her handyman Jim, assistant, and children. Alley later appeared on “Dancing with the Stars” as a 12 Season contestant where she ultimately finished second. She was also the runner-up again on the 22nd installment of “Celebrity Big Brother.” Her final reality show stint was on “The Masked Singer” Season 7. Alley turned out to be the Baby Mammoth, keeping her identity under wraps until episode 8. Alley passed away from cancer eight months later, making this her farewell from the airwaves.
#6: Back Off, Barbie
“It Takes Two” (1995)
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Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen may be the most iconic twins in pop culture, especially if you grew up in the 90s. Given their star power, you might be wondering why Hollywood never tried remaking “The Parent Trap” with the Olsens. Actually, they did… kind of! “It Takes Two” is another “Prince and the Pauper”-esque story about identical girls who meet at summer camp and switch places. One of the more unique additions to the formula is Kirstie Alley’s Diane, a streetsmart social worker who’d like to adopt Mary-Kate’s Amanda. When the kids pull the old switcheroo, Diane also grows close to Ashley’s Alyssa. The shenanigans build to a wedding where Alley confronts the snobby bride, delivering arguably the film’s most memorable line: “Back off, Barbie.”
#5: She’s Got Everything
“Veronica’s Closet” (1997-2000)
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After “Cheers” ended, Alley starred in a series of films, both theatrical and made-for-TV. In 1997, she finally returned to her sitcom roots, producing and starring as the titular Ronnie Chase on “Veronica’s Closet.” A nod to Victoria’s Secret, Alley played a New York woman who runs a lingerie company, earning a reputation as the “Queen of Romance.” Ronnie’s marriage is anything but romantic, as she’s finally driven to leave her cheating husband. To an extent, the series mirrored Alley’s life, as she was also going through a divorce around this time and starting a new chapter. Alley earned nominations from the Emmys, Golden Globes, and SAG Awards for her portrayal of this modern woman balancing work, romance, friendship, and everything in between.
#4: Her Most Dramatic Role
“David’s Mother” (1994)
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Although Alley had already proven her range as an actress, she was primarily seen as a sitcom star by the time “Cheers” ended. Alley challenged the notion that she could only do comedy with a dramatic turn in this TV movie. She gave a deeply empathetic performance as Sally Goodson, whose teenage son David, played by Michael A. Goorjian, has autism. The overprotective Sally is reluctant to send David to a care home, although she eventually realizes that this is a necessary step for her son to grow. It’s still heartbreaking watching the two part ways as David’s mother tries to do what’s best for him. Alley and Goorjian would both win Primetime Emmys for their performances while the film itself earned a Humanitas Prize.
#3: Look Who’s a Movie Star Now
“Look Who’s Talking” (1989)
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When the star of the movie is Bruce Willis voicing a baby, you’d expect the mother to get overshadowed. Yet, Alley creates an interesting and even complex character as Mollie Jensen. While the talking baby setup sounds corny, this 1989 comedy touches upon some serious subjects, namely a single mother raising a child without the father in the picture. Although a romance does blossom between Mollie and John Travolta’s James, Alley still brings a modern sensibility to the character as she juggles work and motherhood. Unsurprisingly, it’s also a great comedic showcase for Alley, especially when Mollie goes into labor. It might not have been Alley’s first film, but “Look Who’s Talking” officially propelled her movie star status, inspiring a franchise.
#2: Tears for Mr. Spock
“Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” (1982)
Whenever we rewatch “Wrath of Khan,” we always light up when “Introducing Kirstie Alley” pops up in the opening credits. The “Star Trek” sequel marked Alley’s feature film debut as Lieutenant Saavik, a Vulcan Starfleet officer. With few credits to her name, Alley actually faked her résumé when she auditioned. Like most Vulcans, Saavik spends most of the film composed, but Alley brought out the character’s emotional side at Mr. Spock’s funeral. Alley was so overwhelmed by the sad scene that she couldn’t help but cry. Although the tears weren’t scripted, director Nicholas Meyer decided to keep Alley’s genuine reaction in. When someone argued that Vulcans don’t cry, Meyer responded, “That’s what makes this such an interesting Vulcan.” Alley and Meyer made the right call.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Toothless” (1997)
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“For Richer or Poorer” (1997)
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“Deconstructing Harry” (1997)
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“Drop Dead Gorgeous” (1999)
Alley Puts on a Minnesota Accept in This Dark Satire That’s Aged Quite Well
“A Bunny’s Tale” (1985)
Alley Became the First Actress to Portray Gloria Steinem
#1: Here’s to You, Rebecca Howe
“Cheers” (1982-93)
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You’d think “Cheers” would’ve jumped the shark in Season 6. Shelley Long was gone and the Sam/Diane dynamic had been integral. Could Alley, then known for more dramatic roles, fill Long’s shoes as Rebecca Howe? In what would wind up being a breakout role, Rebecca never felt like a replacement for Diane. Alley developed Rebecca into a neurotic yet headstrong comedic foil who complimented the rest of the cast so well that it almost felt like she had been there from the beginning. Alley would win her first Emmy for her over-the-top performance in Season 9’s “The Days of Wine and Neuroses.” Despite her best efforts, Alley couldn’t secure “Cheers” a twelfth season, but she’d reunite with the gang on “The Goldbergs” in 2019.
