Linda Lavin, whose career spanned more than sixty years, died Sunday of complications from a newly-found lung cancer, a spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter. She was 87.
Known for her exceptional talent across stage, television, and film mediums, Lavin (pictured above) built a legacy as an actress, singer, and comedian. Her unique blend of dramatic depth, comic timing, and stage presence made her a staple in American show business.
Lavin’s career began in the theater, debuting in 1963 as “Barbara” in The Riot Act. In 1987, she won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Kate in Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound. She would be nominated for the theater’s top honor a total of seven times over the years, but her work in the 1970s truly solidified her as a household name.
The Iconic Role of “Alice”
The role of “Alice Hyatt” was based on the popular film directed by Martin Scorsese in 1974, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, starring Ellen Burstyn in the title role. The movie, which told the story of a young widow who uprooted her life to start over in Arizona, laid the groundwork for her iconic portrayal of the character in the long-running CBS sitcom Alice (1976–1985).
Her performance of Alice earned her two Golden Globe Awards and two Primetime Emmy Award nominations. The Hollywood Reporter noted the hit show “ranked in the top 10 in the ratings in its fourth, fifth and sixth seasons.”
After Alice ended an impressive 9-year run in 1985, Lavin appeared in numerous television projects, including Barney Miller, The Nanny, Hot in Cleveland, and many more.
More recently, her deadpan wit was showcased in The Santa Clarita Diet, 9-1-1: Lone Star, and No Good Deed.
Lavin’s film career also spanned multiple decades. She starred in a variety of films, from comedies to dramas, including films like The Muppets Take Manhattan (1985) and Being the Ricardos (2021).
Lavin married three times, most recently to actor Steve Bakunas in 2005. She had two children — her son, Joseph, from her first marriage and her daughter, Lauren, from her second.
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Christina Botteri is the Executive Editor at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow her on Twitter / X @christinakb.
Photo “Linda Lavin” by Louise Palanker.CC BY-SA 2.0.
