‘Alice’ Star Passed Away At 87
Linda Lavin, the beloved veteran actress celebrated for her Emmy-nominated role in the 1976 sitcom Alice, passed away on December 29. She was 87.
Her death comes as a profound shock, as Lavin had been actively working this month. She recently promoted her Netflix series No Good Deed and was filming the upcoming Hulu comedy Mid-Century Modern, in which she starred as one of the leads. Her PR representative told Deadline, Lavin’s passing was due to unexpected complications from recently discovered lung cancer.
Linda Lavin, born on October 15, 1937, in Portland, Maine, was an award-winning actress whose career spanned over six decades across television, film, and theater. She was raised in a musical family, and was introduced to the arts early on by her parents, David and Lucille Lavin. After graduating from the College of William & Mary, she began her professional acting career in regional theater and Off-Broadway productions during the late 1950s.
Lavin’s big break came on Broadway, where she gained critical acclaim in productions such as It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman! and Last of the Red Hot Lovers. Her work earned her multiple Tony nominations and a win in 1987 for Broadway Bound, where she gave a powerhouse performance as Kate Jerome.
In 1976, Lavin transitioned to television, landing the lead role of Alice Hyatt in the sitcom Alice. Her portrayal of a widowed single mother navigating life as a waitress and aspiring singer resonated with audiences, earning her two Golden Globes and multiple Emmy nominations during the show’s nine-season run.
Lavin continued to balance her work in television with a thriving stage career. In addition to her Tony win, she appeared in acclaimed productions such as Gypsy, The Diary of Anne Frank, and Collected Stories.
Her film credits include roles in The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984), The Back-up Plan (2010), and Wanderlust (2012). She also made notable television appearances on shows like The Good Wife and Mom.
She is survived by her husband of 19 years, Steve Bakunas.
Rest In Peace.
