Broadway star Linda Lavin, best known for her role in Alice, passed away at the age of 87 on December 29, following complications from a recent diagnosis of lung cancer. Her death was confirmed by her PR representative. Just days before her passing, Lavin was seen promoting her latest project, No Good Deed, where she starred alongside Lisa Kudrow.
Lavin’s career began in the 1960s with theater productions like Something Different, Paul Sills’ Story Theatre, and Last of the Red Hot Lovers, the latter of which earned her a Tony nomination. She grew up in Portland, where her family, part of the Jewish community, encouraged her pursuit of acting. Lavin often recalled the joy and wonder she felt as a young child, sentiments she expressed in a 1992 interview with People Magazine, saying, “I am still her.”
She later moved to New York, where she starred in It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman, a Broadway show that didn’t succeed but featured Lavin performing the beloved song “You’ve Got Possibilities.” Despite the show’s failure, Lavin’s performance left a lasting impact, and she was recognized for her talent.
Lavin achieved even greater success when she was cast in the 1970s sitcom Alice, based on the 1974 film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Despite initial concerns about playing such an iconic role, she became widely recognized for her portrayal of the strong-willed, lovable waitress, and the show went on to become a hit.
In her final days, Lavin was working on a Hulu project titled Mid-Century Modern. Her legacy in both Broadway and television will be remembered, as she was a beloved figure in the entertainment industry for decades.