Alice star Linda Lavin dies at 87, leaving millions of fans across the world mourning her death. The actress, who won hearts in the 1976 sitcom as the paper-hat-wearing waitress Alice, geared off her acting career in the sixties appearing on several Broadway productions including A Family Affair, and It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman, later starring in the TV version of the baseball musical Damn Yankeesย alongside Phil Silvers. After steadily building her career for years, Linda eventually snagged a recurring role in the ABC sitcom Barney Miller, which paved the way for her to land the career-defining part as the titular character on the CBS sitcom, Alice.
She continued on that trajectory until her demise in December 2024. The star’s representative Bill Veloric confirmed her passing in an email, revealing she died on Sunday, December 29, 202,4 in Los Angeles. Linda Lavin’s representative attributed her sudden death to “complications of lung cancer” following a recent diagnosis. She was 87.
Linda Lavin Left a Lasting Legacy in Hollywood Before Death
Prior to her passing, the star had several projects in the works, including the Netflix series, No Good Deeds, which currently airs on the streamer, and the upcoming Hulu show, Mid-Century Modern where she was a series regular. Her commitment to the arts reflected not only in her desire to continue her acting endeavors until her final moments but also in the many awards won over the years testifying to her achievements.
In the span of her career, Linda Lavin won multiple Golden Globes and also boasts of a Tony Award. In addition to two Golden Globes wins, Linda Lavin’s role as Alice Hyatt on the CBS show earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1979. As the titular character, Linda Lavin rendered the role of Alice, a single mom of a 12-year-old son, working as a Mel’s Diner waitress in Phoenix, to fend for herself and her young son after her husband’s death.
The show initially debuted as Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore on CBS, adapting the Martin Scorsese-directed movie of the same title. However, as the popularity grew, the title was shortened to Alice. Linda Lavin’s rendition of the widowed waitress captivated viewers across the world, making her character a symbol for all working moms, something she would be remembered for even in death.
Prior to Alice, Linda played the recurring role of Det. Janice Wentworth on Barney Miller. She left the series after five episodes to pursue much bigger prospects in Alice, a decision that undoubtedly paid off. Today, the icon has credits in such onscreen projects as Sean Saves the World, 9JKL, Santa Clarita Diet, and the CBS comedy B Positive, where she brought on her comedic energy.
