Kirstie Alley Net Worth, Career & Earnings

Kirstie Alley was born on January 12, 1951, in Wichita, Kansas, USA. She grew up in a family of three children and later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in interior design. While in L.A., Alley appeared on game shows, which led to small television roles and eventually a supporting role in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Her early work in television, including the miniseries North and South, helped her gain recognition and set the stage for her breakthrough role.

Alley’s career skyrocketed in 1987 when she joined the cast of Cheers as Rebecca Howe, a role that won her both Emmy and Golden Globe Awards. She went on to appear in popular films such as Look Who’s Talking and It Takes Two, starred in the TV show Veronica’s Closet, and competed on Dancing with the Stars. By the time of her death in 2022, Kirstie Alley net worth of $40 million, earned through decades of success in television, film, and various business ventures

Kirstie Alley Bio

What Was Kirstie Alley’s Net Worth and Salary?

Kirstie Alley was an American actress, model, and producer with an estimated net worth of $40 million at the time of her passing. She died on December 5, 2022, at the age of 71 after a private battle with cancer. Alley is best remembered for her role as Rebecca Howe on the NBC sitcom Cheers, a performance that earned her Emmy and Golden Globe Awards. She also received nominations for her work on Veronica’s Closet and the crime miniseries The Last Don, and won another Emmy for the television film 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.

Originally, Alley moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in interior design but soon found opportunities in television. She appeared on game shows like Match Game and Password Plus, which led to small TV roles and a supporting role in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Alley’s breakout role came in the popular miniseries North and South, which introduced her to a wider audience. In 1987, she took on the role of Rebecca Howe on Cheers, replacing Shelley Long. Her performance earned her four Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations, eventually winning one Emmy and one Golden Globe.

After Cheers, Alley alternated between film and television work. She won another Emmy for her performance in David’s Mother and starred in the NBC sitcom Veronica’s Closet in the late 1990s, which she also produced. In the early 2000s, her career slowed, and she appeared sporadically on TV, including her series Fat Actress, which lasted only one season. During this period, her struggles with weight and depression were widely covered in the media. Alley re-emerged in 2010 through reality TV and in 2011 competed on Dancing with the Stars, finishing in second place. She also launched a line of organic products called Organic Liaison.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Kirstie Alley was born on January 12, 1951, in Wichita, Kansas, to Lillian Alley and lumber company owner Robert Alley. She had two siblings, Craig and Colette. Alley attended Wichita Southeast High School and graduated in 1969, later enrolling at Kansas State University, which she left after her second year. She then moved to Los Angeles to pursue Scientology and a career in interior design. While in L.A., she appeared on Match Game, winning both rounds, and also competed on Password Plus. In 1981, her mother died in a car crash caused by a drunk driver, and her father was severely injured.

Alley’s first television appearances included a 1983 episode of The Love Boat, followed by a main role on ABC’s short-lived espionage series Masquerade. She appeared in television films such as Sins of the Past and A Bunny’s Tale, two episodes of The Hitchhiker, and the Civil War miniseries North and South alongside Patrick Swayze and James Read.

Early Television Roles

Alley’s most famous role came in 1987 when she joined Cheers as Rebecca Howe, replacing Shelley Long. She remained on the show until its 11th and final season in 1993. In 1991, Alley won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performance. During her tenure on Cheers, she also appeared in the television films Infidelity, Mickey’s 60th Birthday, and Masquerade, hosted two episodes of Saturday Night Live, and starred in David’s Mother, Peter and the Wolf, Radiant City, and Suddenly, which she also wrote.

In 1997, Alley returned to major television with the NBC sitcom Veronica’s Closet, which she also produced. Playing Veronica Chase, the head of a New York lingerie company, Alley earned Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations. That same year, she appeared in the television film Toothless and starred in the crime miniseries The Last Don. In the 2000s, Alley appeared on shows including Dharma & Greg and The King of Queens, as well as multiple TV films such as Salem Witch Trials, Profoundly Normal, Family Sins, While I Was Gone, Write & Wrong, and The Minister of Divine. In 2005, she played a fictional version of herself in Fat Actress, and in 2010, starred in the reality series Kirstie Alley’s Big Life.

Dancing with the Stars and Later Work

In 2011, Alley competed on Dancing with the Stars, partnered with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, and finished in second place behind NFL player Hines Ward. Later television credits included the films The Manzanis, Baby Sellers, and You Can’t Take My Daughter. She also starred in the short-lived TV Land sitcom Kirstie in 2014 and was part of the second season of Scream Queens in 2016.

Breakthrough with Cheers

Kirstie Alley’s career reached new heights in 1987 when she joined Cheers as Rebecca Howe, replacing Shelley Long. Her portrayal of the ambitious and sharp-witted bar manager made her a household name. She remained on the show until its final season in 1993.

During her time on Cheers, Alley earned four Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations, winning one of each in 1991. She also hosted Saturday Night Live twice and appeared in several television films during this period.

Continued Television Success

Following Cheers, Alley continued to work steadily in television. She won another Emmy for David’s Mother and later starred in the NBC sitcom Veronica’s Closet, which she also produced. The role earned her additional Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations.

In the 2000s, she appeared on shows such as Dharma & Greg and The King of Queens, and starred in multiple TV movies. In 2005, she played a fictional version of herself in the Showtime series Fat Actress. She later returned to public attention through reality television, including Kirstie Alley’s Big Life and Dancing with the Stars, where she finished in second place in 2011.

Film Career Highlights

Kirstie Alley made her film debut in 1982 as Lieutenant Saavik in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. She went on to appear in several successful films throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. Her role in Look Who’s Talking and its sequels, alongside John Travolta, was among her most commercially successful work.

Other notable films included Summer School, Shoot to Kill, It Takes Two, For Richer or Poorer, and Drop Dead Gorgeous. In later years, she appeared in fewer films, choosing instead to focus on television and personal projects.

Personal Life

Alley was married twice. Her first marriage to Bob Alley ended in divorce in 1977. In 1983, she married actor Parker Stevenson. The couple adopted two children, William and Lillie, before divorcing in 1997. As part of the divorce settlement, Alley paid Stevenson $6 million, equivalent to roughly $11 million today.

She was also widely known for her public struggles with weight and health, later becoming a spokesperson for Jenny Craig, a role she returned to multiple times.

Real Estate Investments

In 2000, Alley purchased an 8,800-square-foot Los Angeles mansion for $2.988 million, which she sold in 2021 for $7.8 million. She also bought Lisa Marie Presley’s Clearwater, Florida, home for $1.5 million, which her estate sold in 2023 for $5.22 million. Alley owned property in Islesboro, Maine, for nearly 30 years, including a waterfront home purchased in 2003 for $1.15 million.

Controversies

Throughout her life, Alley drew attention for her strong political opinions and her involvement with the Church of Scientology, to which she donated millions of dollars. She also faced criticism for controversial public statements, particularly related to U.S. politics.

Death

Kirstie Alley passed away on December 5, 2022, at age 71. Her family revealed she had been privately battling cancer, which had only recently been discovered. Despite her death, Alley remains a celebrated figure in television and film, remembered for her iconic roles and contributions to entertainment

FAQ’s

Who was Kirstie Alley?

Kirstie Alley was an American actress, producer, and former model. She was best known for her role as Rebecca Howe on the TV sitcom Cheers. Her performance made her one of the most recognizable TV stars of the 1980s.

What was Kirstie Alley’s net worth?

Kirstie Alley had an estimated net worth of about $40 million. She earned most of her wealth from television, films, and endorsements. Her success on Cheers played a major role in her financial success.

How did Kirstie Alley become famous?

She became famous after joining Cheers in 1987. Her role replaced Shelley Long and quickly won audience approval. The performance earned her Emmy and Golden Globe Awards.

What awards did Kirstie Alley win?

Kirstie Alley won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Both awards were for her role on Cheers. She later won another Emmy for the TV film David’s Mother.

When did Kirstie Alley die?

Kirstie Alley died on December 5, 2022. She was 71 years old at the time of her passing. Her family revealed she had been privately battling cancer.

Conclusion

Kirstie Alley’s career spanned several decades, during which she became one of the most recognizable faces on American television. Best known for her role as Rebecca Howe on Cheers, she earned critical acclaim, major awards, and long-lasting popularity. Her work in both television and film showcased her versatility as an actress, while her later appearances in reality TV kept her connected with new generations of audiences.

At the time of her death in 2022, Kirstie Alley had an estimated net worth of $40 million, reflecting her success across acting, producing, endorsements, and business ventures. Beyond her financial achievements, her legacy lives on through her iconic performances, memorable characters, and lasting influence on television comedy and popular culture.