Kirstie Alley and Parker Stevenson looked like they had a blissful marriage until a shocking divorce announcement led the actor to sue Alley for spousal support.
Kirstie Alley rose to worldwide fame when she starred opposite actor Ted Danson in the series "Cheers," which earned her an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
She was romantically linked to famous actors like John Travolta and Ted Danson throughout her career, but the actress did not have a romantic relationship with any of them.
[Left] Kirstie Alley at a photoshoot; Kirstie Alley and Parker Stevenson at an event | Source: Getty Images
She got married for the first time in 1970 to Bob Alley, a marriage that lasted seven years, and in 1981 she met the man who would be her second husband, actor Parker Stevenson.
Stevenson was still a senior at Brooks School when he starred in his first film titled "A Separate Peace" in 1971. It was in the movie that young Kirstie Alley saw and fell in love with him.
Kristie Alley on a video by The List. | Source: YouTube/TheList
However, It took a couple of years after that for them to meet for the first time. Stevenson was in a bar with a date when Alley, also there with her roommate, saw him. Immediately she said to her roommate:
"'For him, I would die."
That day ended with Stevenson and Alley dancing together, and they became inseparable from that point on. Their romance would lead to a 14-year marriage and two adorable kids.
Parker Stevenson and Kirstie Alley at the PRO-Peace Public Service Announcement for the Great Peace March for Global Nuclear Disarmament on October 5, 1985. | Source: Getty Images
THEIR MARRIAGE
At the beginning of their marriage, Alley and Stevenson had fun teasing and challenging each other. The former, an animal lover, kept up to 50 dogs, cats, possum, geese, and other critters in their 32-room mansion in Encino, California.
The couple also had a very entertaining sexual life, and Alley, who is quite outspoken, gave a shout-out to her husband for giving her "the big one" during her award acceptance speech for the movie "Cheers" at the 1991 Emmys.
Sadly, Alley suffered a miscarriage and afterward announced that she and Stevenson would keep trying to have a baby but would also consider adoption. In 1992 they adopted their first child, William, and Lillie, two years later.
Kristie Alley on a video by The List. | Source: YouTube/TheList
The couple was also known for spending heavily and throwing lavish parties, including their annual $25,000 Halloween party and $15,000 after-hours shopping sprees at F.A.O. Schwarz for the kids.
However, after they adopted their first child, William Stevenson became more responsible. It was also reflected in his professional life, and the idea of playing younger roles stopped being appealing to him.
He subsequently took a role in the Sci-Fi movie "Official Denial," where the actor had his hair shaved to play a man abducted by aliens.
Kirstie Alley role playing as Rebecca Howe. | Source: Getty Images
One-year-old William just stared at him when he got back home, and even Kelley refused to come near him for about 12 hours.
Alley also stated that she believes there should be a boss in every arrangement, and in her marriage, Stevenson was the boss.
The mother of two explained that if an intruder broke into their house, she would not look to confront whoever it was, and Stevenson would not even want her to, which was romantic. Despite all these, their marriage had started deteriorating, and it was not long before they announced their divorce.
Kirstie Alley And Parker Stevenson. | Source: Getty Images
COSTLY DIVORCE SETTLEMENT
After it was announced that the couple was looking to annul their marriage, Alley explained that their split was not due to infidelity on either part but because they both had different goals in life.
Meanwhile, Stevenson agreed with Alley disclosing that he and the actress are the exact opposite of one another, and even though it was exciting, their differences were terrible for their marriage.
The actor also admitted that the fact they could remain married for as long as they did was a miracle. Stevenson and Alley separated in late 1996, then filed separately for divorce a few months later as they both cited irreconcilable differences.
Actress Kirstie Alley and kids at the world premiere of "Monsters, Inc." at the El Capitan Theatre October 28, 2001. | Source: Getty Images
In his court filings, Stevenson sued for spousal support because, at the time of their split, Alley was at the height of her career, starring opposite Ted Danson in "Cheers."
He requested sufficient support to maintain the lavish lifestyle they lived when they were married, including $18,000 a month to pay rent on a home in Bel Air.
The actor also requested the custody of their two adopted kids and $75,000 a month in child support until the kids, ages 3 and 5, turn 18. Although he was also once a very sought-after actor, Stevenson claimed that his earnings were only a fraction of what Alley earned. Ultimately, the actor settled for a one-time payout of $6 million.
Actress Kirstie Alley at the Centre Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre presents the "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" preview play performance on August 1, 1983 at the Mark Taper Forum, Music Center in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
THE AFTER-EFFECTS OF THEIR DIVORCE
Stevenson got his share of the couple's assets during the divorce settlement, including their 21-bedroom mansion in Maine. The couple also each gets to spend extended periods with their kids.
Speaking afterward, the actor explained that he and Alley were both crazy about the kids, and each finally getting stipulated times to be with them was a nice thing.
However, Stevenson called the divorce settlement an ugly process and disclosed that he and Alley are no longer friends, but they talk regularly about their kids.
Kirstie Alley of "Fat Actress" with family during Showtime TCA Press Tour Party - Red Carpet at Universal Studios. | Source: Getty Images
He also did not know if their relationship would ever get repaired someday. However, the father of two stated that he wanted his ex-wife to be happy because her happiness is suitable for their kids.
Stevenson also had regrets about their divorce because they had broken their promise to God to be committed to the marriage. He also stated that if he got married again, it would be to someone who has the same dreams and aspirations as him.
SCIENTOLOGY AND NEWBORN GRANDSON
Years after their divorce Stevenson became a grandfather when his first adopted child William became a father to an adorable boy Waylon Tripp Parker.
Actress Kirstie Alley and her daughter Lillie Price Stevenson at the Duke Of Edinburgh's International Award and Young Americans' Challenge Benefit Gala at The Pierre Hotel on June 23, 2011 | Source: Getty Images
Stevenson afterward raised an alarm that the Church of Scientology, who his ex-wife and William's mother, Alley is a member, had put the newborn baby on lockdown at their Scientology Center in Los Angeles.
The actor subsequently held a family meeting and teamed up with Leah Remini, a former member of the church who is now anti-Scientology, on how to extract his kids from the church.
Remini subsequently told Stevenson to bide his time and not react rashly, or the Scientologists might get a firmer grip on the kids. Meanwhile, Alley, a Scientologist when Stevenson met and married her, remained in the church even after their divorce.
Actress Kirstie Alley with children William True and Lillie Price at the premiere of "The Runaways" at Landmark Sunshine Cinema in New York City on March 17, 2010. | Source: Getty Images
The actress remained fervent in the faith, even disclosing that she would be dead without Scientology, and she would recommend it to anyone.
Also, the actress came under fire when journalist Yashar Ali called her out for defending a practicing Scientologist, Actor Danny Masterson when he was accused of sexual assault and condemning a lapsed Scientologist Paul Haggis for the same crime.
According to the veteran actress, Alley's kids with Stevenson also chose to become Scientologists because it helped them. Alley also credited Scientology for being the reason she could free herself from the shackles of cocaine addiction.
Celebrities who are also members of the church of Scientology include Tom Cruise and John Travolta, the latter of whom is a very close friend of Alley.
The church of Scientology had been under the scope of criticism from many people, and Alley's staunch defense of the faith has led to a feud with former member Leah Remini who is now a strong critic of the church.
There were also rumors of church in-fighting between actress and church member Tom Cruise. The pair do not get along at all. However, the veteran actress and her celebrity church members have no plans to leave Scientology.
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