Kirstie Alley has emerged as one of the great actresses of her generation, proving time and again that she is capable of great depth and range, as well as possessing a
comedic timing second to none.
Alley will soon be seen in the
independent romantic comedy Nailed, directed by David O. Russell opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Biel.
In 2005, Alley co-created, executive produced,
wrote and starred in the Showtime Network series Fat Actress. Alley played a comedic interpretation of herself as a successful actress struggling in Hollywood after
putting on some extra weight. After Kirstie lost the weight, she unveiled her new body by appearing in a bikini on a highly anticipated episode of The Oprah Winfrey
Show (the highest rated Oprah show of 2006).
In 1999, Kirstie starred in the dark comedy film Drop Dead Gorgeous opposite Ellen Barkin, Amy Adams and Kirsten
Dunst. The mockumentary follows the contestants in a beauty pageant in Minnesota and has become a cult classic.
From 1997 to 2000, Alley played the title
character in the NBC sitcom Veronica’s Closet, as well as served as executive producer. This popular series garnered several award nominations, and in 1998 Alley won
the People’s Choice Award for Best New Comedy Series, while Alley took home Favorite Female Performer in a New Television Series. In addition, Alley’s comedic
talent was recognized as she was nominated for a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Alley delivered a captivating performance in the 1997
television miniseries The Last Don II. For her efforts, Alley was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Actress in a Miniseries or a Special. The acclaimed series was
adapted from a Mario Puzo novel and nominated in the Emmy category of Outstanding Miniseries. Alley reprised her role as Rose Marie Clericuzio the next year in the The
Last Don II.
In 1997, Alley starred in Woody Allen’s Deconstructing Harry. Alley played a psychiatrist who is married to Woody Allen’s character (Harry) who is
angered upon learning that he has had an affair with one of her patients. Also in 1997, Alley co-starred with Tim Allen in the comedy For Richer or Poorer.
Alley
made her executive producing debut in 1996 with the TV movie Suddenly, in which she also starred. 1996 was a busy year for Alley, as she also appeared in TV movies
Radiant City and Peter and the Wolf.
In 1994, Alley showcased her dramatic range when she starred in the CBS TV movie David’s Mother as a single mother
raising her autistic son. Alley’s work was recognized with a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television as well
as an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in Miniseries or Special.
In 1989, Alley starred alongside John Travolta in the hit film Look Who’s Talking, which grossed
$297 million worldwide. Alley played a single mother searching for a reliable and normal boyfriend. The success of Look Who’s Talking spurred two more movies in which
Alley starred: Look Who’s Talking Too and Look Who’s Talking Now.
In 1987, Alley joined the cast of a long-running hit NBC sitcom Cheers as the neurotic
Rebecca Howe. Alley received critical accolades and won both an Emmy for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Comedy
Series in 1991. The same year, she earned a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Television Performer. In addition to those wins, Alley’s work on Cheers earned her Emmy
nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1988, 1990, 1992, and 1993. Alley also earned Golden Globe nominations for Best Performance by an Actress
in a Comedy/Musical Series in 1990, 1992, and 1993.
While filming Cheers, Alley also appeared in Madhouse, Sibling Rivalry (both 1990) and Loverboy (with
Patrick Dempsey) in 1989.
Alley made her movie debut in 1982 in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan, in which she played the beautiful Vulcan officer Lieutenant Saavik.
Shortly thereafter, Alley made her splash into television in the series Masquerade.
Some of Alley’s other film credits include Shoot to Kill, Summer School,
North and South, North and South, Book II, and The Hitchhiker. Alley has also done numerous television guest spots and hosted Saturday Night Live twice.
Kirstie served as the spokesperson for Pier One from 2000 to 2004 and Jenny Craig from 2005 to 2008.
In 1995, Alley was honored with a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame.
