• Linda Lavin, Emmy-nominated actress and Tony Award winner, passed away at 87 from complications related to recently discovered lung cancer.
• Known for her starring role in the sitcom Alice and her Broadway performances, she had a career spanning decades in theater, television, and film.
• Lavin remained active until her final days, with recent roles in CBS’s Elsbeth and Netflix’s No Good Deed, leaving behind a legacy of talent and generosity.

Linda Lavin, renowned stage and TV actress best known for her Emmy-nominated role in the sitcom Alice and her Tony-winning performance in Broadway Bound, passed away on Dec. 29 at the age of 87. Her PR representative confirmed she died unexpectedly from complications related to recently discovered lung cancer. The news comes as a surprise, as Lavin had been actively working on projects earlier this month.

Early Career in Theater and Broadway

Lavin, a beloved figure in both television and theater, had a career that spanned decades. She began acting as a child and made her Broadway debut in the 1960s. Notable early roles included the musical It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman and the comedy Last of the Red Hot Lovers, which earned her the first of six Tony Award nominations in 1970. Over the years, she balanced her time between Broadway and Hollywood, leaving a lasting impact on both worlds.

Breakout Role in Television with Alice

Her breakout television role came in 1976 when she starred in Alice, a CBS sitcom inspired by the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Portraying a widowed diner waitress, Lavin captivated audiences for nine seasons and 202 episodes. The show, which aired until 1985, remains a cultural touchstone for its humor and heartfelt storytelling.

Balancing Theater and TV Success

Transitioning between theater and TV, Lavin continued her success. In 1987, she won a Tony Award for her role in Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound. She earned more recognition for her work in plays, with her most recent Tony nomination coming in 2012 for The Lyons. Meanwhile, she remained a familiar face on the small screen. From her recurring role in Barney Miller during the mid-1970s to more recent series like Sean Saves the World, 9JKL, and B Positive, Lavin stayed active and relevant in the entertainment industry.

Recent Roles and Continued Activity

Even in her later years, Lavin showed no signs of slowing down. This year, she appeared in CBS’s Elsbeth and Netflix’s No Good Deed, which is currently streaming. She also had a recurring role in Hulu’s upcoming comedy series Mid-Century Modern, filming as recently as two weeks ago. Her final public appearance was on Dec. 4, when she walked the red carpet for the premiere of No Good Deed.

Remembering her legacy, 9JKL executive producer Aaron Kaplan said, “Alice was one of the many sitcoms that made me fall in love with television... Linda Lavin was — and will always be — Hollywood royalty.”

Contributions to Film

In addition to her achievements in theater and television, Lavin also made a mark in film. Her notable credits include Damn Yankees!, The Ring, The Intern, and Being the Ricardos. She was respected not only for her talent but also for her kindness and generosity, both on and off the screen.

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Lavin is survived by her husband of 19 years, Steve Bakunas, whom she described as the love of her life. Her passing marks the end of an extraordinary career that enriched the lives of audiences and colleagues alike.

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