Kirstie Louise Alley was first seen on game-show ‘Match Game’ (1979) as contestant before her film debut as ‘Lt. Saavik’ in ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan’ (1982).
Subsequently, Alley appeared in films ‘One More Chance’ (1983), 1984’s ‘Champion,’ ‘Blind Date,’ ‘Runaway,’ and espionage series ‘Masquerade’ (1983-1984). She was one of the leads in Civil War miniseries ‘North & South’ (1985-1986). She co-starred in commercially successful comedy-film ‘Summer School’ (1987).
Alley’s portrayal of ‘barkeeper Rebecca Howe’ in popular, long-running sitcom ‘Cheers’ (1987-1993) proved her breakthrough role, earning an Emmy and Golden Globe award. She then starred in box-office hit romantic-comedy ‘Look Who’s Talking’ (1989), followed by sequels in 1990, and 1993.
After 1990’s black comedy films ‘Madhouse,’ and ‘Sibling Rivalry,’ her sensitive performance in TV drama-film ‘David’s Mother’ (1994) won her second Emmy Award. Thereafter, she starred in sci-fi horror-film ‘Village of the Damned’ (1995), romantic-comedy ‘It Takes Two’ (1995), and Woody Allen’s ‘Deconstructing Harry’ (1997).
Alley won Emmy nominations for sitcom ‘Veronica’s Closet’ (1997-2000, also executive-producer) and crime-drama series ‘The Last Don’ (1997). Her further movie-appearances include ‘For Richer or Poorer’ (1997), black-comedy ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ (1999), historical-drama ‘Salem Witch Trial’ (2003).
Comedy-series ‘Fat Actress’ (2005), which Alley wrote, produced and starred-in, received flak from the critics. Also, her reality series ‘Kirstie Alley’s Big Life’ (2010), and sitcom ‘Kirstie’ (2013-2014) ran for only one season. She won second place as a contestant of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ (2011-2012), and was runner-up of 22nd season of reality-show ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ (2018).