Kirstie Alley Biography

Kirstie Alley, actress

Birthdate: January 12, 1951

Birthplace: Wichita, Kansas

Sign: Capricorn

Kristen Louise Alley, the daughter of Lillian Mickie and Robert Deal Alley, was a cheerleader at Wichita Southeast High School. She attended college at Kansas State University and the University of Kansas, but had to drop out during her second year to pursue acting.

She landed a supporting role in the 1982 sci-fi film "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." She turned down the opportunity to reprise her role in the film's third installment because she didn't want to be typecast as a sci-fi actress.

In 1984, she starred in "Blind Date," a low budget film that was critically panned and a commercial failure. Due to her only on-screen nude appearance in the film, it became a minor cult classic in the later years.

Her role in the sitcom "Cheers" as Rebecca Howe gave her prominence in the TV screen. She played the role from 1987 to 1993. She then starred in the 1989 film "Look Who's Talking," which earned more than $100 million at the box office. Two sequels of the film followed.

Alley reportedly received $2 million for starring in her own series, "Veronica's Closet," a critically panned sitcom from NBC.

She headlined a mockumentary show for Showtime called "Fat Actress" after her weight increased to 200 pounds. She became a spokesperson for the Jenny Craig weight-loss program.

She was married to actor Parker Stevenson from 1983 to 1997. They have two adopted children together, William True (born 1992) and Lillie Price (born 1994). Upon their divorce, Stevenson walked away with a $6 million settlement. They share joint custody of their kids.

Alley is a long-time follower of the Church of Scientology.