‘Cheers’ Stars Ted Danson & Kelsey Grammer Remember Kirstie Alley

Cheers actors Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammer are mourning the death of former co-star Kirstie Alley. Alley died at 71 on Monday after a brief battle with cancer.

Danson said in a statement that he was traveling by plane when Alley died. Unaware of her passing, the star happened to rewatch an episode of Cheers.

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“It was the episode where Tom Berenger proposes to Kirstie, who keeps saying no, even though she desperately wants to say yes,” Danson said. “Kirstie was truly brilliant in it. Her ability to play a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown was both moving and hysterically funny.”

Alley rose to fame with her role as Rebecca Howe, which earned her a Golden Globe and Emmy in 1991.

“She made me laugh 30 years ago when she shot that scene, and she made me laugh today just as hard,” Danson said.

Danson learned the news of Alley’s passing when he got off the plane.

Grammer also released a statement regarding Alley’s passing.

“I always believed grief for a public figure is a private matter, but I will say I loved her,” Grammer said.

Other stars who paid tribute to Alley included actors John Travolta and Rhea Pearlman, and journalist Megyn Kelly.

Alley’s death was announced by her children in a statement posted to Twitter on Monday.

“We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered,” Alley’s children, True and Lillie Parker, wrote. “As iconic she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.”

Alley starred in a slew of television shows and films in addition to Cheers, including Veronica’s Closet, Look Who’s Talking, and Scream Queens.

Her later career was marked by a foray into reality television, with her own series Kirstie Alley’s Big Life, and appearances on Dancing With the Stars and the British version of Big Brother.