Adam Sandler pays tribute to Kirstie Alley who he hails 'sweet human being' ... trends now
Adam Sandler has paid a moving tribute to his beloved friend and former Saturday Night Live co-star Kirstie Alley following her death aged 71.
The actress and devout Scientologist passed away on Monday after battling cancer and 'fought with great strength', her devastated children William True, 30, and Lillie Price, 28, revealed in a statement announcing her death.
Adam, 56, who memorably starred alongside Kirstie in the 1991 SNL episode sketch, Il Cantore Restaurant, hailed the 'fearless and funny' star and shared a poignant throwback snap on Tuesday.
He wrote: 'Gonna miss this lady. Absolutely fearless funny sweet human being. Love to her whole family. Thinking of them all. '
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RIP: Adam Sandler has paid a moving tribute to his beloved friend and former Saturday Night Live co-star Kirstie Alley following her death aged 71
The pair's iconic on-screen encounter on SNL saw Kirstie play a rich wife visiting a popular Italian restaurant with her husband - with the staff becoming increasingly tactile as the evening progressed.
After Kirstie had been kissed numerous times and had her face licked by the manager, Adam, playing waiter Fabio, brought the actress bruschetta, before looking down her top.
As her outraged husband, played by Kevin Nealon, angrily protested, she hilariously said: 'Honey it's just their custom, people in Europe, they're a lot more open than we are!'
Fabio then strolled out in a pair of tight underwear and rubbed his face all over her bust before the irate husband demands they leave, branding the staff 'creeps.'
Iconic moment: Adam, 56, memorably starred alongside Kirstie in the 1991 SNL episode sketch, Il Cantore Restaurant, where he played an overly tactile waiter (pictured with Kirstie and Rob Schneider)
Oh my! The pair's iconic on-screen encounter on SNL saw Kirstie play a rich wife visiting a popular Italian restaurant with her husband - with the staff becoming increasingly tactile as the evening progressed
As the couple leave, the SNL cast, including Adam, scream for them to stay while clad in their underwear.
Cheers stars Kelsey Grammer and Ted Danson led heartfelt tributes to their co-star Kirstie yesterday after a brief, private battle with cancer.
Kirstie's children said that she had only 'recently discovered' the cancer. It is not yet known which type she suffered.
'We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered.
'She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead,' her children said in a statement.
Last picture: Kirstie died following a short cancer battle and was last pictured during an Instagram video on September 8 as she touted for work on Cameo
Kirstie Alley (front row, second from left) shot to fame in the sitcom Cheers which she joined in 1987
Alley's breakout role as Rebecca Howe in the sixth series of Cheers in 1987 launched her to Hollywood stardom.
Ted Danson, who was a mainstay in the NBC sitcom, said he was on a flight yesterday and by chance decided to watch an episode of Cheers starring Alley before he learned of her death, in which she is proposed to by Tom Berenger.
He told People: 'Her ability to play a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown was both moving and hysterically funny.
'She made me laugh 30 years ago when she shot that scene, and she made me laugh today just as hard. As I got off the plane, I heard that Kirstie had died.
'I am so sad and so grateful for all the times she made me laugh. I send my love to her children. As they well know, their mother had a heart of gold. I will miss her.'
Grammer added: 'I always believed grief for a public figure is a private matter, but I will say I loved her.'
Other stars paying tribute to the late icon include Jamie Lee Curtis who said on Instagram Alley was 'a great comic foil' on the show and 'a beautiful mama bear in her very real life'.
Lee Curtis said the pair had a 'mutual respect and connection'.
'We agreed to disagree about some things but had a mutual respect and connection. Sad news,' she added.
Another Cheers co-star, Rhea Perlman, recounted how she and Alley became friends almost instantly after she joined the show. She said Alley organized large Easter and Halloween parties and invited everyone.
'She wanted everyone to feel included. She loved her children deeply. I've never met anyone remotely like her. I feel so thankful to have known her.'
Friend and confidant John Travolta, who worked with Alley on the Look Who's Talking films, said: 'Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I've ever had. I love you Kirstie. I know we will see each other again.'
Tim Allen, who starred alongside Alley in For Richer or Poorer, added: 'A sweet soul pass on in Kristie Alley. Sad, sad news. Prayers for all her family.'
The star's family issued a statement on Instagram Monday in the wake of the passing
Ted Danson, who was a mainstay in the classic NBC sitcom, said he was on a flight yesterday and by chance decided to watch an episode of Cheers starring Alley before he learned of her death (pictured together in 1988)
Alley's ex-husband Parker Stevenson, who she was married to from 1983-1997, posted a poignant memorial in which he said she 'will be missed'
Jamie Lee Curtis called Alley 'a beautiful mama bear in her very real life'
Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin called her late friend 'complex, energetic, animated and hilarious' in a tweet
Carmen Electra called Alley a 'beautifully talented soul' in a social media post
TV stalwarts such as William Shatner, Tim Allen and Jason Alexander were among the stars to send condolences following news of the star's death
Kirstie Alley is pictured together with her adopted children William True and Lillie Price in 2010 at the Ed Sullivan Theater
William and Lillie said their mother had only 'recently discovered' she had cancer, and that she 'was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead.'
Alley's children continued: 'As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.
'We are grateful to the incredible team of doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center for their care.'
Alley had not been seen in public for some time with her last-known picture in a video in early September as she promoted her profile on Cameo on her Instagram page.
In what was to be her final video on social media, there did not appear to be any outward visible signs that she was ill as she appeared with her signature mane of thick blonde hair.
In the final days of her life, she had been receiving care at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.
In April of this year, she performed on the television show The Masked Singer.
Alley's children said her '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.'
They ended the statement by saying: 'We thank you for your love and prayers and ask that you respect our privacy at this difficult time.'
Last TV role: Kirstie appeared on The Masked Singer in April 2022 as the Baby Mammoth
In 2018 Alley was runner-up in the 22nd series of UK Celebrity Big Brother
A native of Wichita, Kansas, Alley attended Kansas State University before dropping out and moving to Los Angeles.
Alley was married to her high school sweetheart from 1970 to 1977, and to Baywatch actor Parker Stevenson from 1983 until 1997.
After suffering a miscarriage she adopted son William True in 1992 and daughter Lillie Price in 1995 with Stevenson.
She said in 2010 if she married again, 'I'd leave the guy within 24 hours because I'm sure he'd tell me not
