Denise Richardsis honoring her onscreen motherKirstie Alleyafter news of theactress' death at 71 on Monday
Alley played Richards' mom in 1999’sDrop Dead Gorgeous. On Tuesday, Richards, 51, called her late costar “one of the funniest, nicest & strongest women I’ve ever met” in anInstagrampost showing a still of the two in the film.
“I am so lucky & grateful that I got to do a movie with her playing my mom,” Richards wrote. “I was quite intimidated to work with her but she immediately made me feel so comfortable.”
InDrop Dead Gorgeous, Alley portrayed small-town beauty pageant organizer and former beauty queen Gladys, whose daughter Rebecca (Richards) competes against pageant contenders like Amber (Kirsten Dunst) and her own mother Annette (Ellen Barkin) in an increasingly dangerous series of competitions.
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Alley’s children, True and Lillie Parker, announced the actress had died from cancer: “We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered.”
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Denise Richards and Kirstie Alley.Gille Toucas/CBS via Getty, Chelsea Lauren/Variety via Getty
They added how their 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.”
Other stars likeJohn Travoltaremembered Alley in social media tributes Monday. “Kirstie was one of the most special relationshipsI’ve ever had,” he said of the late actress,sharing a throwback photo of Alleyand a second photo of them smiling at one another. “I love you Kirstie. I know we will see each other again.”
source: people.com
