Award-winning actress Kirstie Alley was born on January 12, 1951 in Wichita, Kansas. After being a cheerleader in high school, she entered Kansas State University and later moved at the University of Kansas. She eventually dropped out in her sophomore year to pursue an acting career. Her first role was in the film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, where she played Lieutenant Saavik. She turned down the role in the follow-up film, fearing being typecast as a science fiction actress.
Alley began appearing in several screen projects, notably the short-lived series Masquerade, the acclaimed miniseries North and South, and the commercial flop Blind Date, which became some sort of a cult favorite due to her only on-screen nude scene. She rose to fame in 1987, when she joined the cast of the hit comedy series Cheers. She was introduced as Rebecca Howe, the new manager of Cheers; her character was created after the departure of Diane Chambers (Shelley Long), to create a new female foil for Sam Malone (Ted Danson). She was nominated for three Emmys throughout her run in the show, but only won the best comedy actress award in 1991; she also won a Golden Globe the same year.
Alley’s next notable screen project was the comedy series Veronica’s Closet, which premiered in 1997. She played Veronica Chase, the title character, and owner of her own lingerie company. Despite being critically panned, the series was a hit with audiences, and was a top 10 hit during its first two seasons. When ratings finally fell in its third season, it was cancelled. In 2005, after she became tabloid fodder due to her weight ballooning to as much as 200 pounds, she headlined a comedy series entitled Fat Actress. Set in a mockumentary style, it detailed the fictitious life of an overweight actress (she plays herself) trying to make it big in Hollywood.
Alley also made numerous appearances on films, notably the Look Who’s Talking film series, which kicked off in 1989. Also notable is the 1997 film Deconstructing Harry, where she appeared in a surprising dramatic role opposite Woody Allen.