Ted Danson, John Travolta, Jamie Lee Curtis, and more pay tribute to the late Kirstie Alley

As the news of Kirstie Alley’s passing settles over the film industry, colleagues and friends from across her decades-long career have begun to share tributes to the late performer. The Cheers star died on Monday at the age of 71 after a battle with colon cancer, her family confirmed.

Alleys Cheers costars Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, and Kelsey Grammer each shared statements with People magazine on Monday reflecting on Alley. Although Grammer notes that he believes grieving a public figure is “a private matter,” he does say that he “loved her.”

In his statement, Danson reveals that in the hours before he learned of Alley’s death, he found himself on a plane rewatching the episode of Cheers where she repeatedly refuses to marry Don Santry (Tom Berenger) despite what her heart wants. Per Danson, Alley gives a “brilliant” performance.

“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,” Danson shares. “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.”

For her own part, Perlman muses: “Kirstie was a unique and wonderful person and friend. Her joy of being was boundless. We became friends almost instantly when she joined the cast of Cheers. She loved kids and my kids loved her too. We had sleepovers at her house, with treasure hunts that she created. She had massive Halloween and Easter parties, and invited the entire crew of the show, and their families. 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. I’m going to miss her very, very much.”