Remembering Polly Holliday, TV’s Beloved “Flo,” Who Has Died at 88
Polly Holliday, the actress who brought so much humor and sass to television through her unforgettable role as Flo on the CBS sitcom Alice , has passed away at the age of 88. Her death, which occurred at her home in Manhattan, was confirmed by her longtime agent and friend Dennis Aspland.
For those who grew up with Alice in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Holliday’s character Florence Jean “Flo” Castleberry was one of the brightest sparks on the show. With her gum-smacking charm, fiery red hair, and quick one-liners, she delivered one of the most quoted catchphrases in sitcom history—“Kiss my grits!” Though she was part of the supporting cast, her performance was so beloved that she became a standout, earning three Emmy nominations and winning two Golden Globes for Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series.
Her popularity was so strong that CBS gave her a spinoff, simply titled Flo , where her character returned to Texas and ran a roadhouse saloon. While that show lasted only two seasons, it cemented Holliday’s place in TV history as one of the most recognizable and beloved sitcom personalities of her time.
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But television was only part of her career. Holliday had deep roots in theater, beginning with her work at the Asolo Repertory Theater in Florida before making her Broadway debut in 1974 in All Over Town , a comedy directed by Dustin Hoffman. In fact, she later worked with Hoffman again—this time behind the scenes—when he consulted her while preparing his performance in Tootsie . She also earned a Tony nomination in 1990 for her role in a revival of Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof , opposite Charles Durning.
Movie fans may remember Holliday for one of the most memorable moments in Joe Dante’s 1984 classic Gremlins . She played the villainous Mrs. Deagle, whose stairlift ride-turned-catapult gave audiences both a laugh and a shock. She also appeared in films like All the President’s Men , Mrs. Doubtfire , The Parent Trap , and her final film role in Doug Liman’s Fair Game in 2010.
On television, she showed remarkable range, taking on roles that extended beyond comedy. She appeared in The Golden Girls , Homicide: Life on the Street , Amazing Stories , and even as Tim Allen’s mother-in-law on Home Improvement . Each performance carried her trademark wit and timing, whether she was playing warm, sharp, or downright wicked.
Born in Jasper, Alabama, in 1937, Holliday originally studied piano before moving into acting. That shift would shape a career that spanned decades and crossed nearly every major stage and screen. Though she left behind no immediate survivors, her legacy remains in the laughter she sparked, the characters she made unforgettable, and the joy she brought to audiences everywhere.
Polly Holliday’s work has been celebrated not just for its humor but also for its authenticity. Whether on stage, on television, or in film, she gave everything to her roles. And now, her voice and her trademark sass will live on through the timeless characters she created.
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