Kirstie Alley's costars react to her death after fight with colon cancer

Tampa, Florida - As Kirstie Alley's friends and colleagues continue to mourn the star's passing, a representative for the actor confirmed she was diagnosed with colon cancer before her death.

Kirstie Alley passed away from Colon cancer, according to her representative.
Kirstie Alley passed away from Colon cancer, according to her representative.  © ROBIN MARCHANT / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

The rep made the confirmation to People after Alley’s family didn’t specify what type of cancer she had. In an Instagram post announcing her death, Alley's children said that that the illness was 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," Alley’s children True and Lillie Parker wrote.

Several of Alley’s Cheers costars paid tribute, including Ted Danson, who said he happened to watch an episode of the sitcom during a flight Monday before learning of her death.

Kim Kardashian faces fan firestorm with new Telsa shoot
Kim Kardashian Kim Kardashian faces fan firestorm with new Telsa shoot

"Her ability to play a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown was both moving and hysterically funny," Danson, who starred as bar owner Sam Malone on Cheers, said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly.

"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," he said.

Per Deadline, Alley's costar Rhea Pearlman said, "I've never met anyone remotely like her. I feel so thankful to have known her. I'm going to miss her very, very much."

The actor's former Dancing with the Stars partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy also commented on Alley's tragic passing on IG: "I want to say that I love you very much and I wish you the most peaceful rest."

"You were one of the most unique people I have ever met and easily one of the brightest moments of my personal and professional life," he wrote. "RIP."

Cover photo: ROBIN MARCHANT / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

More on Celebrities: