American actress Kirstie Alley has passed away at the age of 71 from cancer, her family announced.

Best-known for her role as Rebecca Howe in the NBC sitcom Cheers, Alley was described in statement posted on social media as an "incredible, fierce and loving mother."

The statement also said that Alley was surrounded by her closest family at the time of her passing.

"As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother," her family said in the statement.

"To all our friends, far and wide around the world... 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.

"As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother."

pic.twitter.com/g4nAItrR5x

— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) December 6, 2022

The actress' family proceeded to thank the "incredible" team of doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center, in Florida.

"Our mother's 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," the statement continued.

"We thank you for your love and prayers and ask that you respect our privacy at this difficult time."

Kirstie was born in Wichita, Kansas, and became extremely successful with an acting career spanning over four decades.

Beginning with her role in Cheers, which saw the star win both an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe in 1991, the actress also starred in the series Veronica's Closet, Kirstie and Scream Queens.

On the silver screen, Alley took part in several films, including: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Champions, Village of the Damned and the Look Who's Talking films opposite John Travolta and Bruce Willis.

Tributes have poured in from friends and co-stars for the late actress.

Ted Danson, Alley's co-star in Cheers, said: "I was on a plane today and did something I rarely do. I watched an old episode of Cheers.

"It was the episode where Tom Berenger proposes to Kirstie, who keeps saying no, even though she desperately wants to say yes.

"Kirstie was truly brilliant in it. 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."

Kelsey Grammer, another Cheers co-star, said he "loved" the actress.

"I always believed grief for a public figure is a private matter, but I will say I loved her," the actor said.

John Travolta starred with Alley in the Look Who's Talking trilogy. Upon hearing of her passing, the actor said his time with the actress represented "one of the most special relationships I've ever had."

In a post on Instagram, Travolta wrote: "Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I've ever had. I love you Kirstie. I know we will see each other again."

Jamie Lee Curtis expressed her condolences, saying the pair had a "mutual respect and connection" while working together in recent years on Scream Queens.

Sharing a picture of Alley and herself together, Curtis wrote: "I've just heard the sad news that Kirstie Alley has died. She was a great comic foil in Scream Queens and a beautiful mama bear in her very real life. She helped me buy onesies for my family that year for Christmas.

"We agreed to disagree about some things but had a mutual respect and connection. Sad news."