BOSTON (WHDH) - It’s been more than 30 years since Kirstie Alley played her iconic role as bar manager at Cheers, but the owner of the bar the show was based on remembers memories with the comedian like they were yesterday.
Tom Kershaw, the owner of the Boston bar “Cheers” was based on, said Alley was always good for a laugh whether the cameras were filming or not.
“She was a real comic. I mean she was funny on stage and off stage,” Kershaw said. “On camera, off camera. She was just a fun person that people enjoyed being around.”
Alley filled the role of female foil to Ted Danson’s bartender, Sam, after Shelley Long left the show.
“They just went a different direction completely and made her Sam’s boss which was a great move.”
Kershaw remembered Alley enjoying the party with the rest of the cast when they returned for a raucous party here for “Cheers”‘ final show. The Cheers owner said he was as shocked as anyone when Alley’s children announced their mother had died at 71 after a short bout with cancer.
“She had a good life. She was a pleasant person. She was a real comic,” Kershaw said. “She was fun to be around.”
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