Former-actress-turned-homophobic-MAGA-troll Kirstie Alley died this week after a short battle with cancer, and suddenly character actress/LGBTQ ally Kristen Johnston is having a renaissance. At least, on Twitter.
Even though she’s 16 years younger than Alley, people have been confusing 55-year-old Johnston for the late Masked Singer contestant all week.
Johnston has appeared in a number of films over the years, including Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Ice Age, Bride Wars, and Hurricane Bianca 2: From Russia with Hate. But it’s her TV work that she’s probably best known for.
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She won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Sally Solomon in 3rd Rock from the Sun in both 1997 and 1999. Then there’s her guest appearance in Season 6 of Sex and the City.
In the episode titled “Splat!”, Johnston plays Lexi Featherston, an aging party girl who has grown disenchanted with New York’s social scene and declares she’s “so bored I could die” before promptly falling out of a window.
Which leads us back to Alley.
In posting about her death this week, many on Twitter mistakenly thought it was she, not Johnston, who fell out the window in the iconic SATC scene…
— Andiamo (@anderscjay) December 6, 2022
Today I learned that Kirstie Alley and Kristen Johnston are not the same person
— madi (@BlTCHMADI) December 6, 2022
rip to a legend ?? pic.twitter.com/wEfTnUWheh
— ???? (@aramnotagoat) December 6, 2022
not me thinking it was kristen johnston who died lmao
— ? (@HashtagHeux) December 6, 2022
I have to confess, I’m one of those who until yesterday confused Kristen Johnston with Kirstie Alley. I loved Third Rock From The Sun. pic.twitter.com/K4mWXtqpmV
— Rox…✍🏻🇺🇸🌻 🇺🇦 (@2020eScribbles) December 6, 2022
comforted to know i am one of thousands who only realized that was not kirstie alley falling out the window in satc when others started posting that clip after news of her death came out and all the replies were "that wasn't her"
— Sam (@sam_lynn96) December 6, 2022
Others were quick to point out that the women are, in fact, two different people, and that Johnston is a much kinder person, whose been a guest judge on Rupaul’s Drag Race and doesn’t think LGBTQ+ people are pedophiles…
Kirstie Alley is NOT Kristen Johnston. FFS
— Andy (@AndyRyHolder) December 6, 2022
FYI Kristen Johnston and Kristie Alley are two different people! Post your condolences wisely!!!
— ryan (@OhItsRyan) December 6, 2022
Gays, this is not Kirstie Alley.
It’s Kristen Johnston. pic.twitter.com/SZKDxFrEXv
— Lee Jordan (@Beelenzies) December 6, 2022
gay men will be like “omg I love character actresses they’re all amazing each woman is so different and unique” and then post a tribute to Kirstie Alley using Kristen Johnston’s picture
— Jared Gray (@MisterJaredGray) December 6, 2022
Gays confusing Kirstie Alley with Kristen Johnston should just go be straight https://t.co/A8SYI1dfDI
— Adam Valentine (@Adam86Valentine) December 6, 2022
The important thing is Kristen Johnston is ok
— please be nice to patrick (@ruff_bluffs) December 6, 2022
Other are using the moment to remark on Johnston’s greatness. Some have even begun campaigning for her to be on the next season of HBO’s White Lotus which, honestly, needs to happen…
The best thing to come from Kirstie Alley dying is everyone remembering what an icon Kristen Johnston is! Btw she is not a Trump supporter and she is an absolute legend. pic.twitter.com/qjOdSMDJk7
— ????? ??????? ? (@MaxxyRainbow) December 6, 2022
put kristen johnston in the next white lotus season NEOWWW
— ??????? ? (@baIIerinagaga) December 6, 2022
kristen johnston wins again
— dylan (@villainmorris) December 6, 2022
For your appreciation: send Kristen Johnston to White Lotus pic.twitter.com/beyCvWu31c
— cyber_prdež (@cyber_prdez) December 6, 2022
Put some respect on Kristen Johnston’s name
— Magna Cum Loudly (@AWildTJAppeared) December 6, 2022
i would absolutely watch a kristen johnston career documentary, like in THEATERS https://t.co/4QI05EdDtP
— aaron (@thatlevity) December 7, 2022
This isn’t the first… or second… or third time this unfortunate mixup has happened.
In 2020, Johnston had to issue a public statement telling people she’s not Alley after they kept confusing her for the pro-Trump troll in public.
Omg you guys I’m not Kirstie Alley!!!!! Stop yelling at me! ? pic.twitter.com/TRXtHPHoXO
— kristen johnston (@thekjohnston) October 18, 2020
My friend Grace just sent me this ? pic.twitter.com/doeVXugmeI
— kristen johnston (@thekjohnston) October 19, 2020
Joking, politics, and, yes, even her homophobia aside, we hope Alley has finally found some peace. We also hope Johnston uses this opportunity to mount a long overdue career comeback. Your move, Mike White.
Related: ‘The White Lotus: Sicily’ goes full frontal, introduces us to Niccoló and his giant… pupils
abfab
God Graham. You really know how to milk a good story!
still_onthemark
Kirstie Alley was in a short-lived TV show called “Kirstie” (12 episodes, 2013-14) in which Kristen Johnston played a role. I have no memory of that show but maybe others are misremembering it?
I’d love to her on White Lotus, especially if Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) takes a dislike to her!
Kangol2
You deserve credit for starting a potential White Lotus 3 storyline! Kristen Johnson could play Jennifer Coolidge’s character’s estranged sister who decides to reconnect with her! I can already see it but where will the season take place…the Caribbean? Brazil? Thailand? The Seychelles?
abfab
Fran Drescher/NYC
radiooutmike
I can see all the confusion because Kirstie Alley because everyone knows she was on two NBC sitcoms at the same time! Veronica’s Closet and Third Rock from the Sun. /s
bachy
I ADORE Kristen Johnston! No one ever mentions her starring role in The Exes, which is one of my favorite TV sitcoms and is currently available on Amazon Prime. She plays the divorce lawyer of 3 divorced men, all of whom live in the same apartment building. It’s like a male version of SATC and it’s utterly hilarious!
abfab
Thanks bachy. Just added it.
Brian
What a weird pair to confuse. Kirstie Alley became famous long before Kristen Johnson. I’ve always thought of them as if from different eras or generations.
Yooper
Reminds me how much I f’ing love Candice Bergen…….
abfab
Candy. Me too.
hrnpip
And Kristen was on “Mom” for a few seasons!
abfab
Is Kristen’s phone ringing off the hook now? Good for her if it is.
IvanPH
I love her on Third Rock..