Linda Lavin, the Tony and Golden Globe-winning actress and singer, best known for her role in the CBS sitcom Alice, passed away on Sunday at the age of 87. Her death was caused by complications from recently diagnosed lung cancer, as confirmed by her representatives.
Lavin’s extensive career spanned both stage and screen, beginning at an early age. Born into a musical family, she started performing when she was just five years old, as noted by her alma mater, William & Mary.
She gained significant recognition in New York, where she honed her craft in Broadway plays and musicals during the 1960s. One of her early notable roles was in the 1966 musical It’s a Bird … It’s a Plane … It’s Superman, where her performance earned praise from The New York Times, with critic Stanley Kauffmann calling her “fresh” and wishing she had appeared in every musical and revue.
Linda Lavin became a household name for her role in the television series Alice, which aired from 1976 to 1985. The show, centered around a widowed mother who dreams of becoming a singer while working at a diner, featured Lavin in the lead role of Alice. Her performance earned her two Golden Globe awards, a third nomination, and an Emmy nomination during the series’ nine-season run.
After Alice, Lavin continued to balance television, film, and theater, winning a Tony Award for her lead role in the 1986 play Broadway Bound. She also received additional Tony nominations for various other projects. Her career remained active as she explored voice acting, directing, producing, and even teaching master classes at her alma mater, William & Mary.
Lavin’s most recent work was in the Netflix series No Good Deed, which premiered earlier this month. In the show, she portrayed a character in a storyline about three families competing to buy the same house. She was also scheduled to star in the play Mid-Century Modern in California this January.
The news of Linda Lavin’s passing led to an outpouring of tributes from Hollywood and Broadway, where she was remembered as a respected veteran who made a significant impact on the industry.
Actress Patricia Heaton shared a heartfelt video on X, recalling their time together on the short-lived ABC sitcom Room for Two (1992-1993), where Lavin played her mother. Heaton described Lavin as a mentor and “guardian angel,” reflecting on how she not only taught her about acting but also about life. Heaton fondly remembered a dinner they shared a few months ago in Los Angeles, where Lavin remained sharp, funny, and full of energy.
“I’m going to miss her. She was a good friend,” Heaton added.
