'Fearless, funny, sweet human being': Adam Sandler says he's 'gonna miss' Kirstie Alley in moving tribute
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Adam Sandler has paid an emotional tribute to his "fearless and funny" co-star Kirstie Alley following her death on Monday, December 5. The veteran actor died at the age of 71 after battling cancer "with great strength", her grieving children revealed in a statement.
The ‘Blended’ actor, who shared the screen with Kirstie in the 1991 ‘Saturday Night Live’ episode sketch, 'Il Cantore Restaurant', remembered her as a "fearless, funny, and sweet human being" while sharing a gorgeous throwback picture on Tuesday, December 6. "Gonna miss this lady. Absolutely fearless funny sweet human being. Love to her whole family. Thinking of them all," Sandler, 45, wrote on Twitter.
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Announcing the death, Kirstie’s children William True, 30, and Lillie Price, 28, revealed that she had only "recently discovered" cancer but did not disclose what type of cancer the actor had. "We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce, and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered. She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead," her children said in a statement.
Gonna miss this lady. Absolutely fearless funny sweet human being. Love to her whole family. Thinking of them all. pic.twitter.com/MZw9CKfpa6
— Adam Sandler (@AdamSandler) December 6, 2022
The news of her demise has left her close friends and family devastated. Ted Danson, who played the lead in NBC’s ‘Cheers’, said he was on the flight and was coincidently watching a hilarious episode of the sitcom starring Alley just before learning about her death. "Her ability to play a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown was both moving and hysterically funny. She made me laugh 30 years ago when she shot that scene, and she made me laugh today just as hard. As I got off the plane, I heard that Kirstie had died. I am so sad and so grateful for all the times she made me laugh. I send my love to her children. As they well know, their mother had a heart of gold. I will miss her," he told People.
Another 'Cheers' co-star, Jamie Lee Curtis, mourned the icon’s death and said Alley was "a great comic foil" on the show and "a beautiful mama bear in her very real life." "We agreed to disagree about some things but had a mutual respect and connection. Sad news," she added on Instagram.
Abigail Breslin, who starred with Kirstie in 'Scream Queens', shared a tribute on Instagram. “RIP @kirstiealley you were a great lady. I’m so happy I got to work with you on Scream Queens season 2 and always chuckled at the way you put your name in my phone. I hope you’re resting peacefully now. Love to Kirstie's family and friends. Xx," she wrote alongside a screenshot of Kirstie’s phone contact which read, “Kirstie (like thirsty).”