Kirstie Alley cause of death revealed: ‘Recently discovered’

Kirstie Alley died at 71 after a brief battle with colon cancer, her representatives have revealed.

A spokesperson for the veteran actress confirmed the official cause of death to People.

Alley’s family shared in a statement posted to Twitter Monday that she passed following a battle with cancer that was “only recently discovered.”

They also acknowledged the “incredible team” at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.

“We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered,” the statement said.

The children said in their statement that Alley was “surrounded by her closest family” at the time of her passing, and that she “fought with great strength.”

“Our mother’s zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating, were unparalleled and leave us inspired to live life to the fullest just as she did,” it continued.

Alley was best known for her turn as Rebecca Howe, the sexy bar manager in the NBC comedy “Cheers,” in which she starred opposite Ted Danson from 1987 to 1993. She won the 1991 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal, for which she was nominated five times. She additionally earned a Golden Globe for the part.

Her more than 40-year career included numerous film roles, including as a Vulcan Starfleet officer in the 1982 hit “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” and as a career-driven single mom in 1989’s “Look Who’s Talking,” which also starred Travolta, Bruce Willis, Olympia Dukakis, and George Segal. The popular flick also spawned a 1990 sequel, “Look Who’s Talking Too,” and a 1993 entry, “Look Who’s Talking Now.”

She landed a 1994 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Special for the CBS drama “David’s Mother.”

Much of Alley’s work centered on comedy, with appearances in TV sitcoms including “The Goldbergs,” “The Middle,” “Hot in Cleveland,” “The King of Queens,” Dharma & Greg,” among others.