By Megan Riedlinger
9:04pm PST, Jan 12, 2023
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On Dec. 5, 2022, Kirstie Alley tragically passed away at 71 after a private battle with colon cancer "only recently discovered," her children shared. To mark what would have been her 72nd birthday on Jan. 12, 2023, Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at some of the most stunning photos of the "Cheers" and "Look Who's Talking" actress, who rose to fame in the '80s, from early in her career. From big hair to oversized coats and '90s getups that are now trending again, keep reading to look back at the delightful fashion Kirstie rocked back in the day…
Kirstie Alley looked stunning when she posed for a portrait during her days as a breakout star on "Cheers," on which she starred from 1987 to 1993.
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MORE: Hollywood friends and co-stars react to the death of Kirstie Alley
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While posing for promotional photos for one of her old TV movies, "Stark: Mirror Image," in 1986, Kirstie Alley exemplified the fashion of the decade — big teased tresses and a bright red bedazzled blouse. Those drop earrings and dramatic eye makeup sealed the deal.
MORE: Barbra Streisand's best retro fashion moments
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Two years before she joined the cast of "Cheers" and became a household name, Kirstie Alley was an up-and-coming actress who was married to actor Parker Stevenson. She's seen here rocking a killer mid-'80s Harley Davidson T-shirt with black denim while attending a pro-peace demonstration and TV commercial taping with her "Hardy Boys" star hubby in October 1985.
MORE: Child stars: Where are they now?
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Denim on denim, Kirstie Alley style! While attending an NBC promotional event in Los Angeles back in 1987, Kirstie sported an oversized denim jacket over top a gray sweater and added a denim skirt to complete her twist on the Canadian tuxedo. We could absolutely see this late-'80s look being a hit today too. Extra points for her minimal makeup and artfully tousled hair!
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You'll quickly realize that one of Kirstie Alley's favorite fabrics is black velvet, so this look she wore at the First Annual Movie Awards in Universal City, California, in January 1991 is quintessentially Kirstie. The star's long-sleeved gown included a high neck, subtle sparkly embellishments throughout and a matching wide belt in the luxurious fabric.
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Aside from loving black velvet, Kirstie Alley also has a penchant for topping things off with a coat. The actress rocked a purple crushed velvet jacket atop a matching high-waisted skirt and floral blouse at the "Sibling Rivalry" movie premiere with husband Parker Stevenson in 1990, finishing off this early '90s ensemble with a pair of brown lace-up boots.
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Gen Z could learn a thing or two from Kirstie Alley! The beauty is seen here in June 1989 rocking a look that would fare well today — an oversized blue blouse tucked into high-waisted and belted trousers that she topped with a printed vest. She finished things off with loafers and mid-sized sunglasses.
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Kirstie Alley served up a very unique look at the opening of the play "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" in Los Angeles in October 1989. She donned this pale pink tunic-style gown atop a white blouse and matching wide-legged trousers, adding more white via a fancy clutch.
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Another day, another coat! Kirstie Alley showed up at the "Shoot to Kill" premiere in Los Angeles in February 1988 in this oversized brown coat that obscured the rest of her look. Adding to her understated vibe that night? MInimal makeup, showing just what a natural beauty she truly is.
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Back in 1991, Kirstie Alley and then-husband Parker Stevenson purchased a summer home in the island community of Islesboro, Maine. She's seen here that year spending time in the beautiful spot sporting standard '90s-star printed pants by B.U.M. Equipment paired with a blue three-quarter zip pullover and patterned ballet flats that gave an eccentric yet casual result.
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She's not afraid to outfit repeat! A few months later, Kirstie Alley attended the Narconon's 12th Annual Celebrity Softball Game in Van Nuys, California, in September 1991 in those same cool printed B.U.M. Equipment pants. This time, she paired the high-waisted bottoms with a tied-up event T-shirt and white sneakers for a sporty vibe.
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Decades before the sheer trend took hold, Kirstie Alley embraced the daring see-through fabric look in this monochromatic white moment. The star, seen here with hubby Parker Stevenson at the "Delta Force 2" premiere in August 1990, wore a sheer white lace blouse underneath a billowy kimono-style jacket paired with baggy white trousers.
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Kirstie Alley loves a wide belt — even for a red carpet occasion! She proved this at the 16th Annual People's Choice Awards in Universal City, California, in March 1990 when she arrived in an off-the-shoulder mahogany gown cinched at the waist with a chunky black belt.
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Kirstie Alley took her to talent to the stage in 1983, appearing in "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" in Los Angeles that August. The baby-faced beauty was 32 in this snap from the set, where she wore a sleek sleeveless gown with her hair in large waves.
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Am embroidered statement coat made Kirstie Alley's outfit at the Golden Globes in January 1990. She attended the event with then-husband Parker Stevenson, rocking the gorgeous gold-embellished piece atop an otherwise all-black ensemble. A killer dark lip completed her look.
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Remember what we said about Kirstie Alley loving velvet? That affinity didn't always result in a fashion hit! Take this bright orange long-sleeved shiny gown she wore to Showtime's Emmy Awards party in Los Angeles in September 2004, for example. Yikes!
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Black velvet goes with everything — even a black oversized Ralph Lauren blazer with silky lapels! Kirstie Alley rocked the look at the premiere party for "Misery" in Beverly Hills in November 1990.
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Leopard on leopard! Kirstie Alley embraced the animal-print craze of the '90s in this three-quarter-length sleeved coat worn atop a black turtleneck and trousers base at the First Annual Hollywood Film Festival in October 1997. She then added another wild pop of print with matching leopard-print boots. Putting a bigger timestamp on this look? The overlined lips and thin eyebrows.
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This iridescent white minidress was Kirstie Alley's pick for the Golden Globes in January 1992. The star, seen attending with then-hubby Parker Stevenson, added silver heels, a half updo and some serious statement earrings.
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A bold printed floor-length coat? A '90s-era Kirstie Alley though that was a must! So much so, in fact, that the actress wore one atop a simple black frock while attending the 24th Annual People's Choice Awards in January 1998 — where she won favorite female performer in a new television series for her work on "Veronica's Closet."
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Kirstie Alley won her very first Golden Globe in 1991 — for best actress in a television series comedy or musical for her work as Rebecca Howe on "Cheers." She wore an edgy blouse with a sheer neckline underneath a black pantsuit years before most ladies in Hollywood started hitting the red carpet in menswear-inspired looks.
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Does this outfit look familiar? Kirstie Alley rocked a common athleisure look of today — a black sweatsuit and chunky sneakers — while out and about in Maine in 1991.
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It was only fitting that Kirstie Alley embraced a coat dress for an event in Malibu in November 1987. This gray design that married two of her favorite fashion pieces included a chic black collar and a fitted waist.
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Kirstie Alley made a TV comeback with Showtime's "Fat Actress" in 2005. After being in the public eye for two decades, she continued to prove her love for outerwear when she donned this multicolored striped jacket atop a black tank top and a pleated tan skirt.
