As of 2020, American actress and comedian Kirstie Alley had a net worth of $40 million. She is best known for her roles as Rebecca Howe on the sitcom “Cheers”, Veronica Chase on the sitcom “Veronica’s Closet”, and Mollie Ubriacco in the “Look Who’s Talking” film series. She is also a successful author, producer, and reality TV star. But how did Kirstie Alley achieve such a high net worth? Here are some of the factors that contributed to her wealth accumulation:
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Kirstie Alley was born on January 12, 1951, in Wichita, Kansas, to Robert and Lillian Alley. She has two siblings, Craig and Colette. She attended Wichita Southeast High School, where she was a cheerleader and a member of the drama club. She then studied drama at Kansas State University, but dropped out after her sophomore year.
Alley moved to Los Angeles in 1979 to pursue a career in acting. She initially worked as an interior designer and appeared on several game shows, such as “Match Game” and “Password Plus”. She made her film debut in 1982 with a small role in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan”, playing Lieutenant Saavik. She also appeared in TV shows such as “One Day at a Time”, “Masquerade”, and “The Love Boat”.
Breakthrough Roles
Alley’s breakthrough role came in 1987 when she replaced Shelley Long as the female lead on the hit sitcom “Cheers”. She played Rebecca Howe, a neurotic and ambitious manager of the bar where the show was set. She received four Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations for her performance, winning one Emmy and one Golden Globe. She also became a household name and a sex symbol.
During her time on “Cheers”, Alley also starred in several films, such as “Summer School” (1987), “Shoot to Kill” (1988), “Loverboy” (1989), and “Look Who’s Talking” (1989). On a $7.5 million budget, the latter was a major hit, earning nearly $296 million globally. Alley played Mollie Ubriacco, a single mother who falls in love with a taxi driver (played by John Travolta). The film spawned two sequels, “Look Who’s Talking Too” (1990) and “Look Who’s Talking Now” (1993), which also featured Alley and Travolta.
Further Film and TV Career
After “Cheers” ended in 1993, Alley continued to work on film and TV projects. She starred in several TV movies, such as “David’s Mother” (1994), for which she won another Emmy; “Toothless” (1997), for which she received another Golden Globe nomination; and “The Last Don” (1997), for which she received another Emmy nomination. She also appeared in films such as “Sibling Rivalry” (1990), “It Takes Two” (1995), “Deconstructing Harry” (1997), and “Drop Dead Gorgeous” (1999).
In 1997, Alley created and starred in her own sitcom, “Veronica’s Closet”, playing Veronica Chase, the owner of a lingerie company. The show ran for three seasons until 2000 and was nominated for several awards, including two Emmys. Alley also served as an executive producer of the show.
In 2005, Alley starred in another sitcom, “Fat Actress”, which was loosely based on her own struggles with weight gain and Hollywood image. The show aired for one season on Showtime and received mixed reviews from critics. Alley also wrote and produced the show.
In 2010, Alley launched her own reality TV show, “Kirstie Alley’s Big Life”, which documented her efforts to lose weight and raise her two children. The show aired for one season on A&E and was praised for its honesty and humor.
In 2011, Alley competed on the 12th season of “Dancing with the Stars”, where she was paired with professional dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy. She surprised many viewers with her dancing skills and charisma, finishing in second place behind Hines Ward. She returned for the 15th season in 2012, where she finished in seventh place.
In 2013, Alley reunited with her former Cheers co-star Rhea Perlman on another sitcom, “Kirstie”, playing Maddie Banks, a Broadway star who reconnects with her long-lost son. The show aired for one season on TV Land and was canceled due to low ratings.
In 2016, Alley joined the cast of the second season of the horror comedy series “Scream Queens”, playing Ingrid Hoffel, a nurse with a sinister agenda. The show aired on Fox and was also canceled after two seasons.
Other Ventures
Apart from acting, Alley is also a successful author, producer, and entrepreneur. She has written two books: “How to Lose Your Ass and Regain Your Life” (2005), a humorous memoir and weight-loss guide; and “The Art of Men” (2012), a collection of stories and anecdotes about her relationships with men.
She has also produced several films and TV shows, such as “Village of the Damned” (1995), “For Richer or Poorer” (1997), “Blonde” (2001), and “Back by Midnight” (2004).
She has also launched her own line of weight-loss products, called Organic Liaison, in 2010. The products include supplements, snacks, drinks, and online tools. Alley claimed that she lost 100 pounds using the products. However, in 2014, she was sued by a customer who alleged that the products were ineffective and falsely advertised. The lawsuit was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Alley has been married twice. Her first husband was Bob Alley, whom she married in 1970 and divorced in 1977. Her second husband was Parker Stevenson, whom she married in 1983 and divorced in 1997. They have two adopted children together: William True (born 1992) and Lillie Price (born 1994).
Alley is also a prominent member of the Church of Scientology, which she joined in 1979. She credits the church for helping her overcome her cocaine addiction and achieve success in her career. She has donated millions of dollars to the church and its affiliated organizations, such as the Citizens Commission on Human Rights and the Youth for Human Rights International.
Alley is also involved in various charitable causes, such as animal rights, environmentalism, education, and disaster relief. She has supported organizations such as the American Humane Association, the Children’s Miracle Network, the Coalition for Clean Air, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Red Cross.
FAQs
Q: What is Kirstie Alley’s net worth?
A: Kirstie Alley’s net worth is estimated to be $40 million as of 2020.
Q: How did Kirstie Alley make her money?
A: Kirstie Alley made her money from various sources such as acting, writing, producing, and entrepreneurship.
Q: What are some of Kirstie Alley’s movies and TV shows?
A: Some of Kirstie Alley’s movies and TV shows include “Cheers”, “Look Who’s Talking”, “Veronica’s Closet”, “Fat Actress”, “Dancing with the Stars”, and “Scream Queens”.
Q: What are some of Kirstie Alley’s books and products?
A: Some of Kirstie Alley’s books and products include “How to Lose Your Ass and Regain Your Life”, “The Art of Men”, and Organic Liaison.
Q: What are some of Kirstie Alley’s awards?
A: Some of Kirstie Alley’s awards include two Emmys, one Golden Globe, one People’s Choice Award, one TV Land Award, and one Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
