Latest news with #KirstieAlley
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE 90s actress who starred in two classic comedies steps out in LA on rare outing... can you guess who it is?
Fans of classic '90s comedies did a double take when one of their favorite scene-stealers stepped out in L.A. on Monday. The actress, now 77, looked youthful as she was spotted grocery shopping at the upscale Bristol Farms market in West Hollywood. Dressed in checked trousers, a cozy cardigan, and chunky loafers, she looked worlds away from the hapless high school teacher she portrayed in the iconic 1995 coming of-age comedy. Her laid-back look also marked a sharp contrast from the flirty outfits she rocked as Kirstie Alley 's sassy best friend Rona in 1989's Look Who's Talking and its 1990 sequel Look Who's Talking Too. Still, longtime fans instantly recognized her signature fiery red locks — the same ones she's been flaunting since her guest appearance on Quantum Leap. Can you guess the star? If you said Twink Caplan, you're absolutely right! Back in 2020, Caplan marked the 25th anniversary of Clueless - in which she played hapless teacher Miss Toby Geist - with heartfelt reflections on the enduring popularity of the film and the deep affection she still receives from fans. Speaking to the Today show, she admitted the lasting impact of her role continues to surprise her. 'It moves me to think that I would move anybody or that they would like me that much,' Caplan said at the time. Caplan credited the film's success to its casting — especially praising Silverstone, who led the film as Cher Horowitz. 'There's no one in the world that could have played this role because she was so beautiful and so naively approachable and so kind and funny,' she said. She also shared fond memories of the late Brittany Murphy, who played Tai, recalling how Murphy's charm stood out during auditions. 'We kept her in the room for other people's auditions because she was just delicious, such a sweet girl,' Caplan said. The on-screen romance between Miss Geist and Mr. Hall remains one of Caplan's favorite parts of the film. 'When they found each other, it completed them. And it was genuinely kind of pulling your heartstrings.' Caplan also reflected on her longtime collaboration with director Amy Heckerling, who based the character of Miss Geist on one of her own former teachers. 'This movie that she wrote and directed was so amazing and put every one of us actors in the stratosphere because of it,' she said. 'And she is so loved.' Caplan was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on December 25, 1947. While she's best known for her role as Miss Geist in Clueless — a part she later reprised and executive-produced for the ABC television spinoff — her career spans decades of film and television. While she starred as Alley's BFF Rona in Look Who's Talking and its sequel, Look Who's Talking Too, Caplan declined to appear in second sequel Look Who's Talking Now (1993). She also appeared in the cult TV series Fast Times. As a producer, Caplan worked on films like Loser and I Could Never Be Your Woman, often appearing on screen alongside stars like Jason Biggs, Mena Suvari, and Michelle Pfeiffer In Frasier, she played the fall-back fiance of Donny Douglas. As a producer, Caplan worked on films like Loser and I Could Never Be Your Woman, often appearing on screen alongside stars like Jason Biggs, Mena Suvari, and Michelle Pfeiffer. Other credits include guest spots on Community, Frasier, CSI, Quantum Leap, and Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie. Throughout it all, Caplan has remained a beloved character actress known for her comedic charm and unmistakable red hair.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Cheers' star George Wendt dead at 76
Everyone knew his name. George Wendt, famous for playing Norm Peterson in the iconic sitcom 'Cheers,' has died at 76. His family rep confirmed the news to The Post, saying Wendt 'died peacefully in his sleep while at home' Tuesday. 'George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,' the family rep's statement read. 'He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.' His 'Cheers' co-star Ted Danson told The Post, 'I am devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us. I am sending all my love to Bernadette and the children. It is going to take me a long time to get used to this. I love you, Georgie.' Wendt's official cause of death has not been disclosed. The actor earned six consecutive Emmy nominations for his performance as Norm on NBC's 'Cheers' and appeared in all 275 episodes of the program. Wendt starred in the comedy, which centered around the regulars of the Boston bar 'Cheers,' alongside Danson, 77, Rhea Perlman, 77, John Ratzenberger, 78, Kelsey Grammer, 70, Woody Harrelson, 63, Shelley Long, 75, the late Kirstie Alley, and more. The series ran 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993, and took home 28 Emmys. Wendt was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1948, and stuck to his roots by starting his career in the city's booming improv landscape. The actor began as a comedian at the Second City in the 1970s before becoming a household name. He appeared in several TV shows until finally landing his big break as Norm. The role would define Wendt's career and legacy. 'Afternoon, everybody' became one of the most recognizable lines on 'Cheers' and was Norm's catchphrase. As one of the fan-favorites, Wendt scored six Emmy nominations for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He also reprised the role of Norm in the short-lived 'Cheers' spinoff, 'The Tortellis,' as well as another spinoff, 'Frasier.' Wendt later scored his own sitcom, 'The George Wendt Show.' In the CBS program, he played a radio host car mechanic. It was scrapped after one month. The National Comedy Center addressed Wendt's legacy and death in a statement to The Post. 'From his early days with the Second City to his iconic role as Norm on Cheers, George Wendt's work showcased how comedy can create indelible characters that feel like family. Over the course of 11 seasons, he brought warmth and humor to one of television's most beloved roles. His work is proudly featured in the National Comedy Center, and we honor his legacy and the joy he brought to generations of fans,' said Journey Gunderson, the center's executive director. Wendt wasn't the only one in his family who caught the acting bug. 'Saturday Night Live' alum Jason Sudeikis, 49, is the late star's nephew. The 'Ted Lasso' star's mother, Kathryn, is one of Wendt's sisters. The Post has reached out to Sudeikis' rep for comment. Wendt once teased that the hardest part of playing Norm was drinking the warm, flat and zero alcohol 'beer.' 'There I was slamming those down for a whole day. It not only tastes disgusting, I was afraid of keeling over from high blood pressure,' he told the Washington Post in 1985. 'Then I got the knack. I didn't have to put all those brews away. It only mattered when the camera was pointing my way. It took a couple of years, but now I watch the camera. That's how I make my money. That's acting.' He would go on to play Norm in other non-'Cheers' TV projects, including 'Wings,' 'The Simpsons' and 'Family Guy.' He also starred as himself on 'Seinfeld' and 'The Larry Sanders Show,' and had recurring roles on 'The Naked Truth' and 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch.' Wendt didn't just stick to the TV screen. The star made his Broadway debut in 'Art' (1998) and played Edna Turnblad in 'Hairspray' from 2007 to 2008. Wendt's last public appearance was June 1, 2024, at the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend with NFL star Travis Kelce. The actor reunited with his 'Cheers' co-stars for a trip down memory lane in January 2024 at the 75th annual Primetime Emmy Awards. The cast gathered around a replica of the series' popular Boston bar to present the Best Directing for a Comedy Series and Best Writing in a Comedy Series statuettes. Wendt is survived by his wife of 46 years, actress Bernadette Birkett; their children Hilary, Joe and Daniel; and his stepchildren, Joshua and Andrew.
