Linda Lavin, a Tony Award-winning actress who became a household name as the beloved waitress Alice Hyatt on the CBS sitcom Alice, passed away on Sunday at the age of 87. Her representative, Michael Gagliardo, confirmed that her death was due to complications from recently diagnosed lung cancer.
Lavin, who began her career on the stage, ventured into television in the 1970s and landed the lead role in Alice, a sitcom inspired by the Oscar-winning Martin Scorsese film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. As the widowed mother working at Mel’s Diner, Lavin became a symbol of resilience and independence for working moms.
The show, which aired from 1976 to 1985, gained a loyal following thanks to its witty dialogue, heartfelt moments, and Lavin’s performance. The opening theme song, “There’s a New Girl in Town,” sung by Lavin herself, became iconic, and the show’s characters, including Polly Holliday’s Flo with her famous catchphrase, “Kiss my grits,” are fondly remembered.
Though Alice made her a household name, Lavin’s career was marked by versatility and critical acclaim across multiple platforms.
Born in Portland, Maine, Lavin discovered her passion for performing early, eventually graduating from the College of William and Mary. Her first major break came under legendary Broadway director Hal Prince in the musical It’s a Bird … It’s a Plane … It’s Superman.
Lavin’s onstage presence was lauded by critics. The Associated Press described her performance in Collected Stories as “complete and nuanced,” and her role in The Lyons as “an absolute wonder to behold.”
Even in her later years, Lavin remained active and relevant. She was promoting the Netflix series No Good Deed and filming Hulu’s Mid-Century Modern just weeks before her passing.
Reflecting on her career, Lavin once said, “Work brings work. As long as it wasn’t morally reprehensible to me, I did it.” Her unwavering commitment to her craft serves as a guiding principle for aspiring actors everywhere.
Linda Lavin’s extraordinary life and career leave an indelible mark on both Broadway and Hollywood. From her groundbreaking role in Alice to her critically acclaimed stage performances, Lavin’s talent, warmth, and determination will be cherished by fans and remembered for generations.
Her contributions to the arts, both as a performer and a mentor, ensure that her legacy will endure, continuing to inspire all those who dream of a life in the spotlight.