Linda Lavin Passes at 87: the TV Icon and Broadway Legend’s Legacy

Linda Lavin, the iconic star of the beloved sitcom Alice and a Tony-winning Broadway powerhouse, passed away on Sunday at the age of 87. The cause was complications from recently discovered lung cancer, her representatives confirmed. Lavin leaves behind a legacy spanning over seven decades in the entertainment industry, touching hearts with her versatile performances on television, film, and stage.

A Trailblazer in Entertainment

Born into a musical family, Lavin’s passion for performance began very early. By age five, the talent was evident, making way for an illustrious career ahead. After she graduated from the College of William & Mary, her eyes were fixed on Broadway; she then became a name to watch during the 1960s.

Lavin’s breakthrough came with the 1966 musical It’s a Bird … It’s a Plane … It’s Superman, when critics praised her as “fresh” and a performer who should be in “every musical and revue.” Her stage work garnered her six Tony Award nominations throughout her career, winning one in 1987 for Broadway Bound.

The Star of Alice: A TV Icon

When her career was at its peak in theater, Lavin also discovered a home in television. In 1976, she landed the lead role in CBS’s sitcom Alice, which is based on the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Lavin, as a widowed mother chasing her dreams of singing while working as a diner waitress, struck the public’s fancy and made her a household name.

She was playing Alice for nine seasons before the show ended. Two Golden Globes and a nomination for an Emmy during that time made Lavin one of the best-known ladies in television history, alongside her iconic catchphrase “Kiss my grits.”

A Multi-Faceted Career

Even as her work on Alice ended, Lavin’s career never slowed down. She juggled roles across mediums, from television series like Barney Miller, B Positive, and Sean Saves the World to films like The Intern and Being the Ricardos.

In recent years, Lavin has demonstrated her range with guest spots on the Netflix movie No Good Deed and the upcoming Hulu comedy Mid-Century Modern. She was still very much on the job, promoting No Good Deed and working on Mid-Century Modern, in the weeks leading up to her death.

A Life Full of Love and Laughter

Off-screen, Lavin was known for generosity, sharp humor, and mentorship. Actress Patricia Heaton fondly recalled Lavin as her mentor during the short-lived sitcom Room for Two. “She was my guardian angel, teaching me not just about acting but about life,” Heaton shared in an emotional tribute.

In co-stars and collaborators, it resonates with Lavin. It was a “gift,” Liz Feldman, who created No Good Deed, described working with Lavin. The producers for the show Mid-Century Modern called her “a magnificent actress, singer, and musician… a beautiful soul who made every day brighter.”

A Final Curtain Call

In her final public appearance at the No Good Deed premiere on December 4, Lavin exuded her signature charm. Standing beside her husband of 19 years, Steve Bakunas, she smiled for the cameras, embodying the grace and vitality that defined her life and career.

Steve, whom Lavin lovingly called “the love of her life,” was by her side in her last moments.

Remembering Linda Lavin

Linda Lavin’s passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy endures. From her groundbreaking role in Alice to her magnetic Broadway performances, she inspired generations of performers and audiences alike.

Her ability to bring joy and authenticity to every role she plays will forever be remembered. Linda Lavin was more than an actress—she was a storyteller, a mentor, and a force of nature.

As we bid adieu to this amazing woman, we celebrate her life, and the mark she would leave behind on the faces of the world of entertainment.

Rest in Peace, Linda Lavin. You may be gone, but will never be forgotten as there is so much that had been left by the many characters you played out.