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Actor Kirstie Alley faced backlash from Twitter users in October 2020 after announcing that she voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. While many tweeted at her directly, others sent their comments elsewhere — to another star of a ’90s sitcom with a social media presence.

Kirstie Alley is known for starring in ‘Cheers’

Kirstie Alley visits the SiriusXM Studios on January 6, 2016 in New York City.
Kirstie Alley | Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Alley became famous in the ’80s and ’90s. She won an Emmy for her role as Rebecca Howe in the sitcom Cheers, joining the cast in season 6 and remaining on until the series finale in 1993. Alley also starred in several popular films at this time, including the Look Who’s Talking franchise and It Takes Two.

After Cheers, Alley got her own series, Veronica’s Closet. The NBC sitcom ran for three seasons. In the years since, her TV efforts have been short-lived, including her Showtime comedy Fat Actress and her TV Land sitcom Kirstie. Alley’s also delved into reality TV, competing on Dancing with the Stars and Big Brother.

She wrote that she’s voting for Trump

Like many celebrities, Alley has shared an opinion regarding the election. Following a 2016 endorsement for Trump (which she subsequently revoked), the actor once again shared her support for the incumbent on Twitter, explaining why she’s voting for the “outsider” and encouraging others to do the same.

“I’m voting for @realDonaldTrump because he’s NOT a politician,” Alley tweeted. “I voted for him 4 years ago for this reason and shall vote for him again for this reason. He gets things done quickly and he will turn the economy around quickly. There you have it folks there you have it.”

Fans confused Kristen Johnston for Alley

After revealing who she voted for, Alley responded to many who agreed and disagreed with her. However, some of those Twitter comments were misdirected. Another actor with a similar first name, Kristen Johnston, dealt with an onslaught of tweets, to which she wrote, “Omg you guys I’m not Kirstie Alley!!!!! Stop yelling at me!”

Johnston had made her political views clear. In her header image, she appears to be giving Trump the finger. She’s retweeted many posts against the incumbent and vocalized her support for his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden. To send the message home, Johnston shared an edited photo of herself wearing a sign that reads, “I am not Kirstie Alley.”

What is Johnston known for?

(L-R): Mimi Kennedy, Anna Faris, Beth Hall, Allison Janney, Jaime Pressly, and Kristen Johnston in 'Mom'
(L-R): Mimi Kennedy, Anna Faris, Beth Hall, Allison Janney, Jaime Pressly, and Kristen Johnston in ‘Mom’ | Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images
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The photo of Johnston used for the edit she shared comes from the CBS sitcom Mom. Johnston joined the cast of the long-running series in 2018, portraying Tammy Diffendorf, the foster sister of Allison Janney’s Bonnie Plunkett. But the actor has plenty of other notable roles she’s well known for.

Johnston rose to prominence in the ’90s as a star in the NBC sitcom 3rd Rock From the Sun. She portrayed Sally Solomon, one of the aliens who spends years on Earth studying humans under the guise of being one herself. Johnston also starred in The Exes, a TV Land sitcom that ran for four seasons from 2011-2015.