Broadway and TV Legend Linda Lavin, Star of 'Alice,' Dies at 87
Linda Lavin, the beloved Broadway and television star, has passed away at the age of 87. Lavin, whose career spanned decades, became a household name for her portrayal of Alice Hyatt, the waitress turned working mother, in the iconic TV sitcom "Alice." Her death, confirmed by her representative, was attributed to complications from recently diagnosed lung cancer.
Lavin's acting career began on Broadway, where she earned a reputation as a remarkable stage performer. She made her Broadway debut in the musical It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Superman , directed by the legendary Hal Prince. Her early years in theater set the stage for her future success, with a Tony Award nomination in 1969 for her performance in Neil Simon's Last of the Red Hot Lovers . It was, however, in the mid-1970s that Lavin made the transition to television.
Her role in the CBS sitcom "Alice," which aired from 1976 to 1985, made her a cultural icon. Based on the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore , Lavin's portrayal of Alice Hyatt, a widow raising her young son while working as a waitress in a roadside diner, resonated with audiences. The show became a hit, especially after it moved into a prime time slot following All in the Family . The series, which also featured Polly Holliday as the memorable Flo and Vic Tayback as the gruff diner owner, Mel, created a lasting legacy with catchphrases like "Kiss my grits!"
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Lavin's remarkable range was not confined to TV. Her stage career flourished, and in 1987, she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her role in Neil Simon's Broadway Bound . She also received multiple other accolades, including Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards, for her stage work. Lavin continued to shine in theater, starring in The New Century , Collected Stories , and The Lyons , which earned her another Tony nomination later in life.
Even in her later years, Lavin remained a prolific performer. She appeared on television in various roles, including guest spots on The Good Wife spinoff Elsbeth and the Netflix series No Good Deed . Her contributions to theater and television were celebrated by her peers, with playwright Paul Rudnick praising her for her comedic brilliance and emotional depth.
Lavin's legacy extends beyond her roles; she was a mentor to many, encouraging up-and-coming actors to take on every job that came their way, as long as it was not morally objectionable. In addition to her acting work, she and her third husband, Steve Bakunas, founded the Red Barn Studio Theatre in Wilmington, North Carolina, which produced various works that she also starred in.
Through her incredible career, Lavin touched the hearts of audiences around the world, leaving a lasting impact on both stage and screen.
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