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The sad news of Kirstie Alley's death is not only shocking to her fans. Recently, Cheers co-stars Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammer, who shared a close relationship with the late actress, have come out to mourn and pay tribute to her. Alley's death was announced on Twitter by her family, who described her as someone with a loving and amazing personality. "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,” the family wrote on Twitter. Kirstie Alley dies after battling cancer CHEERS, from left, Kirstie Alley, Ted Danson, 198293 (1987 photo). ©NBC / courtesy Everett Collection The actress was diagnosed with colon cancer before she died at the age of 71. Her children, William and Lillie, who confirmed the cause of her death, revealed that she recently became aware of her condition and had been receiving treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. RELATED: Kirstie Alley: Enjoy Scrapbook Memories Of Her Movie And TV Career “We are grateful to the incredible team of doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center for their care. 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," William and Lillie revealed. "We thank you for your love and prayers and ask that you respect our privacy at this difficult time. With love always, True and Lillie Parker.” 'Cheers' co-stars Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammer mourn Kirstie Alley During an interview with EW, Cheers costar Ted Danson eulogized and praised Kirstie's performance as Rebecca Howe on the long-running NBC comedy. "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," Danson explained. "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. CHEERS, from left, Ted Danson, Kirstie Alley, 198293. ph: Jim Shea / TV Guide / ©NBC / courtesy Everett Collection "As I got off the plane, I heard that Kirstie had died," he lamented. "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." Also, Kelsey Grammer, who also starred alongside Alley in Cheers, paid a short tribute to the late icon. "I always believed grief for a public figure is a private matter, but I will say I loved her ." Other 'Cheers' cast members pay tribute to Kirstie Alley CHEERS, from left, clockwise from lower left, Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, Woody Harrelson, John Ratzenberger, Kirstie Alley, George Wendt, Kelsey Grammer, 19821993 (1988 photo). /©NBC / courtesy Everett Collection Other Cheers cast members have also come out to honor the late Kirstie Alley. John Ratzenberger, who was featured as Cliff Clavin, put his feelings into words in an Instagram post. "It is so sad, So very sad. God Bless you and keep you, Kirstie Alley." While Rhea Pearlman, who starred as Carla Tortelli, revealed that despite Alley joining the series in its sixth season, she quickly mixed with everyone. “We became friends almost instantly when she joined the cast of ‘Cheers,’” Pearlman told Deadline. “She loved kids and my kids loved her too. We had sleepovers at her house, with treasure hunts that she created. She had massive Halloween and Easter parties and invited the entire crew of the show and their families. She wanted everyone to feel included. I feel so thankful to have known her. I'm going to miss her very, very much."