What was Kirstie Alley's Net Worth and Salary?
Kirstie Alley was an American actress, model, and producer who had a net worth of $40 million at the time of her death on December 5, 2022, after a private battle with cancer. Best known for her role as Rebecca Howe on the NBC sitcom "Cheers," she earned Emmy and Golden Globe Awards for her performance. She also received nominations for "Veronica's Closet" and "The Last Don," and won another Emmy for "David's Mother." On the big screen, Alley appeared in films such as "Shoot to Kill," "Look Who's Talking," "Village of the Damned," "It Takes Two," "Deconstructing Harry," and "Drop Dead Gorgeous."
Kirstie Alley initially moved to Los Angeles to become an interior designer and ended up appearing on multiple game shows, leading to her acting career. Her role in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" gained her attention, and she became widely recognized after appearing in the mini-series "North and South." In 1987, she landed the legendary role of Rebecca Howe on "Cheers," earning four Emmy nominations, and three Golden Globe nominations, winning one Emmy and one Golden Globe.
After "Cheers," Alley ventured between film and television, winning another Emmy for "David's Mother." She starred in "Veronica's Closet" in the late 90s. Despite some turbulence in her career and personal life during the early 2000s, including the series "Fat Actress," she made a comeback in reality shows and "Dancing with the Stars," where she finished as the runner-up. She also launched a line of organic products called Organic Liaison.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Kirstie Alley was born in 1951 in Wichita, Kansas, to Lillian and lumber company owner Robert. She had two siblings, Craig and Colette. A Wichita Southeast High School graduate in 1969, Alley attended Kansas State University before dropping out to move to Los Angeles, where she pursued Scientology and a career in interior design. She appeared on game shows "Match Game" and "Password Plus" before her mother's tragic death in a car crash in 1981.
Early Television Career
Alley's early television roles included an episode of "The Love Boat" in 1983 and a main role in "Masquerade." She also appeared in "Sins of the Past," "A Bunny's Tale," "The Hitchhiker," and "North and South" with Patrick Swayze and James Read.
Cheers
In 1987, Alley joined "Cheers" as Rebecca Howe, replacing Shelley Long and becoming Ted Danson's rival/love interest. She remained on the show until its end in 1993, earning Emmy and Golden Globe Awards for her work.
During "Cheers," she appeared in TV films like "Infidelity," "Mickey's 60th Birthday," and hosted "Saturday Night Live." She later starred in "David's Mother," "Peter and the Wolf," "Radiant City," and "Suddenly," which she also wrote.
Further Television Career
In 1997, Alley starred and produced the NBC sitcom "Veronica's Closet," earning Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations. That year, she appeared in "Toothless" and the crime miniseries "The Last Don." Her 2000s work included "Dharma & Greg," "The King of Queens," and TV films like "Salem Witch Trials," "Profoundly Normal," "Family Sins," "While I Was Gone," "Write & Wrong," and "The Minister of Divine." She played a fictionalized version of herself in "Fat Actress" and starred in the reality series "Kirstie Alley's Big Life." In 2011, she participated in "Dancing with the Stars," finishing second. Later TV roles included "The Manzanis," "Baby Sellers," "You Can't Take My Daughter," and starring in "Kirstie" and "Scream Queens."
Film Career
Alley's big-screen debut was in 1982 as Lieutenant Saavik in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." She appeared in "One More Chance," "Champions," "Blind Date," and the Tom Selleck sci-fi thriller "Runaway." In 1987, she starred in "Summer School" with Mark Harmon and Carl Reiner. She starred in hits like "Shoot to Kill," "Loverboy," and "Look Who's Talking" series with John Travolta. Alley's other 90s films include John Carpenter's "Village of the Damned," "It Takes Two" with the Olsen twins, Woody Allen's "Deconstructing Harry," "For Richer and Poorer" with Tim Allen and "Drop Dead Gorgeous." In the 2000s and 2010s, she appeared in "Back by Midnight," "Syrup," and "Accidental Love."
Personal Life
Alley married her high-school sweetheart Bob Alley in 1970, divorcing in 1977. In 1983, she married actor Parker Stevenson. After a miscarriage, they adopted son William and daughter Lillie. The couple divorced in 1997, and Alley paid Stevenson a $6 million settlement, equivalent to around $11 million today.
From 2004 to 2007, Alley was a spokesperson for Jenny Craig, losing around 75 pounds. She returned as a spokesperson in 2014.
Real Estate
In 2000, Alley bought an 8,800 square-foot mansion in Los Angeles for $2.988 million, which she listed for sale in 2018 for $11.97 million, finally accepting $7.8 million in 2021. She also bought Lisa Marie Presley's Clearwater, Florida mansion for $1.5 million, which was listed for $6 million in January 2023, eventually selling for $5.22 million. She owned property in Islesboro, Maine, purchasing a home for $1.15 million in 2003 and kept it through mid-2020.
Controversies
Alley's political and religious positions have attracted controversy. A noted Scientologist, she went through a Scientology-affiliated treatment program to end her cocaine dependency and donated $5 million to the Church of Scientology in 2007. She also faced backlash for her support of the seditionists who stormed the US Capitol in 2021.
Death
Kirstie Alley passed away on December 5, 2022, at 71, following a private battle with cancer.