Linda Lavin, the esteemed Tony Award-winning actress, has passed away at the age of 87. Her representative shared the news, revealing that she succumbed to complications from a recently diagnosed lung cancer in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Lavin enjoyed a successful career on Broadway before stepping into the world of television in the mid-1970s. She was cast in a new CBS sitcom derived from the film “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” directed by Martin Scorsese, which had earned an Oscar for Ellen Burstyn in the lead role of a waitress.
The sitcom was simply named “Alice,” where Lavin portrayed Alice Hyatt, a widowed mother navigating the challenges of life while working at a roadside diner near Phoenix with her 12-year-old son. The show, airing from 1976 to 1985, featured Lavin singing the theme song “There’s a New Girl in Town.” It introduced catchphrases like “Kiss my grits” and starred Polly Holliday as Flo, alongside Vic Tayback, who played Mel, the diner owner and head chef.
Initially, “Alice” faced challenges in scheduling during its first two seasons but found its footing and became a hit airing alongside “All in the Family” in October 1977. The series ranked in the top 10 of primetime shows for four out of the next five seasons, cementing its legacy as one of the best workplace comedies, as noted by Variety.
In 1987, Lavin received a Tony Award for best actress in a play for her performance in Neil Simon’s “Broadway Bound.” Her talent also earned her accolades from the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Helen Hayes awards.
Acknowledging her significant impact on the performing arts, the Actors Equity union honored her with the Richard Seff Award in 2023, recognizing outstanding veteran performers in supporting roles for her work in the play “You Will Get Sick.” Even in her later years, Lavin remained active in the industry, promoting a new Netflix series, “No Good Deed,” and recently filming for an upcoming Hulu show titled “Mid-Century Modern.” She was also set to appear in a 2024 episode of “Elsbeth,” a spinoff from “The Good Wife.”
Born in Portland, Maine, Lavin moved to New York City after completing her education at the College of William and Mary. Her career began with performances in nightclubs and in ensemble roles in various productions.
Her big break came from the iconic producer Hal Prince, who cast her in the Broadway musical “It’s a Bird … It’s a Plane … It’s Superman.” She went on to secure a Tony nomination for her role in Simon’s “Last of the Red Hot Lovers” in 1969 and finally triumphed 18 years later with “Broadway Bound.”
After relocating to Los Angeles in the mid-1970s, Lavin had a recurring role on “Barney Miller” and then starred in the CBS sitcom based on the previously mentioned film.
Returning to Broadway later in her career, Lavin showcased her talent in Paul Rudnick’s comedy “The New Century,” participated in a concert show titled “Songs & Confessions of a One-Time Waitress,” and received a Tony nomination for Donald Margulies’ “Collected Stories.”
Paul Rudnick reflected on her brilliance, describing her as a star across various formats, portraying characters that were both hilariously funny and deeply moving. Likewise, Michael Kuchwara praised her performance in “Collected Stories” for its depth, humor, and exquisite timing.
In her 70s, Lavin experienced a resurgence in her career, earning acclaim for roles in productions such as Nicky Silver’s “The Lyons” and performances in “Other Desert Cities” and a revival of “Follies.”
Beyond her stage successes, Lavin acted in the film “Wanderlust” with Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd, and she played Jennifer Lopez’s grandmother in “The Back-Up Plan.” She shared advice with emerging actors, highlighting the importance of consistent work, stating, “As long as it wasn’t morally reprehensible to me, I did it.”
Alongside her husband Steve Bakunas, she established the Red Barn Studio Theatre in Wilmington, North Carolina, where they produced various acclaimed plays, including her own Broadway hit “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.” The theater debuted in 2007, and over the years, they staged notable productions such as “Doubt” and “Glengarry Glen Ross.”
Lavin returned to television in 2013 with a role in “Sean Saves the World,” featuring Sean Hayes, and made guest appearances on shows like “Mom” and “9JKL.” Her extensive career, marked by relentless talent and dedication, left an indelible impact on the realm of performing arts.