Denise Richards Pays Tribute to ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ Costar Kirstie Alley: ‘She Had a Heart of Gold’

07.12.2022 - 01:45 / usmagazine.com

Missing her onscreen mom. Denise Richards paid tribute to Kirstie Alley after the actress’ death from colon cancer at age 71.

“Kirstie is one of the funniest, nicest & strongest women I’ve ever met,” the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, 51, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, December 6. “I am so lucky & grateful that I got to do a movie with her playing my mom. I was quite intimidated to work with her but she immediately made me feel so comfortable.”

The Wild Things star continued: “She had a heart of gold & deep love for animals. Her laugh was infectious & she lit up every room she walked into. Kirstie you are loved by so many & will be so very missed. Prayers to your kids & grandkids.”

The Cheers alum played Gladys Leeman, mother of Becky Leeman (Richards) in Drop Dead Gorgeous, a satirical comedy that followed beauty pageant hopefuls in a fictional Minnesota town. The 1999 cult classic also starred Kirsten Dunst, Ellen Barkin, Allison Janney and Amy Adams, who made her big-screen debut in the movie.

When the film turned 20 years old in July 2019, Richards marked the occasion with a throwback clip from one of the movie’s most controversial scenes: the moment where her character dances with a stuffed replica of Jesus on the cross. “I remember shooting this like it was yesterday,” the former Bond girl wrote via Instagram at the time, adding the hashtag “#jesusloveswinners” in reference to one of the movie’s famous quotes.

Alley’s family confirmed on Monday, December 5, that the late sitcom star died at age 71 following a battle with cancer. Her representative later noted that the Toothless actress had been diagnosed with colon cancer shortly before her death.

“We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving