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"I've learned that you'll never be disappointed if you always keep an eye on uncharted territory, where you'll be challenged and growing and having fun." Kirstie Alley broke into the mainstream with a starring role in the film, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) as Saavik. Of course, Alley is probably most well-known for her Emmy-winning performance on Cheers (1987).

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What makes Alley such a fascinating figure in the entertainment world is that she has done it all, quite literally. Alley has appeared in over 70 projects throughout her career, she has published her own books, and she has even found a career as a reality star. Throughout it all, Alley has had to also deal with problems pertaining to her health. Still, Alley persisted to become one of the enduring faces of the 80s and 90s. 

Dealing With Early Tragedy

Kirstie Alley was born on January 12, 1951, in Wichita, Kansas. Alley was born to mother Lillian Mickie and father Robert Deal Alley. Lillian worked as a homemaker during Alley's childhood while her father was the owner of a nearby lumber company. Alley grew up with two siblings, Craig and Collete.

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As a child, Alley would attend Wichita Southeast High School before graduating in 1969. From there, Alley would go on to attend Kansas State University, though she would drop out after a single year. After dropping out of KSU, Alley would move to Los Angeles in order to pursue a career as an interior designer. While there, Alley fell into Scientology and has since become a regular member of the Church.

In Los Angeles, Alley would appear on Match Game (1970), a famous game show. She would win $5,500 during her appearance on the show. Alley would then appear on Password Plus as a contestant in 1980. Only a few short months later, Alley would lose her mother in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. Her father would be seriously injured during the incident, though he would eventually recover.

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Alley would begin to struggle with substance abuse and her life would bottom out. Eventually, Alley would go to rehab before completely embracing Scientology, a religion created by the science fiction author, L. Ron Hubbard.

Transitioning To Life in Hollywood

While Alley had initially wanted to become an interior designer, she soon switched up her career paths. By 1982, Alley would land her film debut in the project, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Alley would play Lieutenant Saavik, a member of the Vulcan Starfleet. The film would become a smash hit but Alley would turn down the chance to reprise her role in the following two sequels, citing a pay reduction from her initial portrayal.

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In the blink of an eye, Alley was establishing herself as a regular in Hollywood. She would land starring roles in Highway Honeys (1983), One More Chance (1982), and in the TV show, The Love Boat (1983). From an interior designer to a regularly working actor, Alley had managed to make the transition with relative ease. Alley was known early on in her career for her defining voice and her leading lady physique.

Alley would enjoy a string of moderately successful projects in the mid-80s before auditioning for a lead role in the TV series, Cheers (1987). Alley would replace Shelley Long in the program, and she would stick around until the final season of the show. Alley would end up scoring a Golden Globe and an Emmy for her work in the show as Rebecca Howe. Thanks to Cheers, Alley saw legitimate interest from high-profile film productions. Alley would join the thriller, Shoot to Kill (1988) before starring in the comedy, Look Who's Talking (1989).

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When Cheers wrapped in 1993, Alley was suddenly without an anchor. Instead of floundering, Alley applied herself in the TV movie, David's Mother (1994). Alley would score an Emmy Award for her work in the project. Alley would find her way to another Emmy Award nod in the miniseries, The Last Don (1997). Alley would reprise her role in the series for the sequel, The Last Don II (1998). Thanks to her legitimate work, Alley would land a recurring role on television as the star of Veronica's Closet (1997). Though the series received mixed reviews, Alley was still able to get three seasons out of the project.

Around 2005, Alley began to make headlines due to her problems with weight. Alley had been through several highly publicized battles with her weight. Eventually, Alley would star in the 2005 Showtime project, Fat Actress. The unscripted comedy focused on how obsessive the media was over celebrities and their weight. This project would lead Alley to release her first book, How to Lose Your A** and Regain Your Life (2005). Alley would win her battle with weight loss in time to show up on Oprah's hit talk show in a bikini. Alley would earn a spokesman role for Jenny Craig as a result. Oprah and Alley would continue working together as Alley was contracted for several programs. Alley would continue to struggle with her weight.

While Alley hasn't been an A-list figure for a while, she hasn't stopped working. Alley would star in her self-titled series, Kirstie (2013) for a single season. From there, Alley would land a starring role in the critical hit series, Scream Queens (2016) as Ingrid Hoeffel. Alley has also enjoyed recent success on reality TV with an appearance on Dancing with the Stars, placing second only behind NFL star, Hines Ward. Alley would return to the show for the 15th season for a second chance at the trophy, though her team would get eliminated after seven weeks. Alley would also finish as the runner-up during season 22 of Celebrity Big Brother.

Kirstie Alley was married to Parker Stevenson from 1983 to 1997. The couple shared two adopted children together in Lillie Price and William True. Alley is currently single and semi-retired from show business.