The protagonist of “Look who’s talking”, who died of colon cancer, was part of the questioned religious organization

Actress Kirstie Alley, known for the movie “Look Who’s Talking,” died Monday night at the age of 71, after losing the fight against colon cancer, a disease she was diagnosed with just a couple of weeks ago.

“We are saddened to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with recently discovered cancer,” Alley’s children, True and Lillie Parker, wrote in a statement shared on Alley’s social media.

“She was surrounded by her closest family and she fought with great strength, leaving us with the certainty of her never-ending joy of life and whatever adventure she may have in store for her. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more incredible mother and grandmother, ”adds the text.

In recent months, the “Cheers” star had been quietly battling colon cancer, which is difficult to diagnose as the symptoms can mimic other conditions, such as hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome.

True and Lillie revealed that doctors had “recently discovered” the cancer and Alley had been receiving treatment at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. The actress was near a Scientology headquarters in the vicinity of the city of Clearwater.

The Emmy winner enjoyed one last Thanksgiving with her family, asking her Twitter followers to name her favorite dish and bragging about making the “best dip in the world.”

Sources told Page Six that Scientology leaders will hold a memorial service for Alley at Flag Land Base in Clearwater. Raised Methodist, she joined the church in 1979 to help end her cocaine addiction. As a longtime Scientologist, rising to the highest level in the entity, immediate questions arose about the church’s role in her medical treatment after her death.

Alley is the third member of the high-profile religious cult to die in recent years from cancer. Actress Kelly Preston, 57, the wife of John Travolta, died of breast cancer in July 2020. Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Chick Corea died at age 79 of a rare form of cancer in February 2021 .

Tony Ortega, who blogs for The Underground Bunker, told Page Six that he had heard that Alley had suffered from back pain before being diagnosed with cancer, adding: “The first Scientology book, ‘Dianetics,’ was It is based on the idea that most human ailments are psychosomatic and can be credited, so when Scientologists get sick, they are trained to seek the solution in the religious organization.”

“Scientologists know that the founder L. Ron Hubbard was against doctors, so they are looking for alternatives,” he added.

Both Alley and Preston received treatment.

“Scientology is against psychiatric care and psychiatric drugs. But they are not prevented from seeking medical treatment if they have cancer or something like that. The church will not tell you not to go to the hospital,” she explained. “First they will try to take care of things through auditing, counselling, but sometimes [people] go to the doctor when it is too late and that can have tragic consequences.”

“Kirstie’s training prevented her from seeking medical help sooner, perhaps? Many wonder,” Ortega said.

Actress and former Scientologist Leah Remini, who left the church and became critical of its practices, told Rolling Stone on Tuesday: “While Kirstie was reported to have sought conventional cancer treatment, which gave her a fighting chance, most Scientologists don’t seek treatment until it’s too late.”

“Scientologists are convinced that they can cure themselves of diseases like cancer. It is one of the most sinister things. Its members are brainwashed into believing these false claims as guarantees,” Remini recounted.

Alley, who grew up in Wichita, Kansas, joined the church after moving to Los Angeles. In her 2005 book, she recalled becoming addicted to cocaine thanks to a lover of hers. The two dated after she separated from her first husband, Bob Alley, in 1976. The actress recalled how her drug addiction spiraled out of control, leading to extreme anxiety attacks, insomnia, weight loss and “psychotic thoughts.”

“I thought she was going to overdose,” she told Entertainment Tonight in 2012. “I’d take the coke and then sit there. I would take my pulse [thinking], ‘I’m dying, I’m dying, I’m dying. Who would continue to do it?

A neighbor told him about Scientology and he enrolled in a Narconon center, the rehab network that reportedly promotes long hours in a sauna and an ever-increasing intake of vitamins.

And he added: “It could be the biggest scam in the universe or it would get me out of the hell that I created for myself. “Miraculously, I had one session and never did cocaine again.”

After coming clean, her career took off with the NBC hit “Cheers,” for which she won an Emmy and a Golden Globe. The biggest boost in her career came in 1989 when she starred in the movie “Look Who’s Talking” and the sequels “Look Who’s Talking Too” (1990) and “Look Who’s Talking Now” (1993), alongside Travolta,

Alley made no secret that she had feelings for Travolta, telling Howard Stern: “It took me years to stop seeing John as a romantic interest.” She also called him “the greatest love of my life.” And she also revealed that Travolta’s wife, Kelly Preston, told her to stop flirting with him.

After her death this week, Travolta, 68, posted on Instagram: “Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had. Love you. I know we will see each other again.”

Alley was married to “Hardy Boys” actor Parker Stevenson from 1983 to 1997. She admitted that Scientology was a major factor in the split.

“Kirstie initially wanted us to mediate our property, support and custody issues before a respected member of the Church. I attended a five-hour meeting on December 28, 1996, and found that neither the mediator nor Kirstie had any knowledge of the law on the issues,” Stevenson said in a divorce statement from her, Ortega noted.

However, Stevenson paid tribute to his ex after his death, saying: “I am so grateful for our years together and for the two incredibly beautiful children and now grandchildren that we have. You will be missed.”

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