Linda Lavin, one of America’s most prolific and talented actresses, who was greatly loved and admired, both home and abroad, has died.
Born on October 15, 1937, the actress was 87 years old when she passed away. She was best known for playing the role of the protagonist, Alice Hyatt, in the hit 1970s sitcom Alice. She was also hailed for her numerous Broadway roles performances which usually left fans stunned at her enormous talent..
Our findings reveal that the Tony Award-winning performer passed away unexpectedly on Sunday due to complications from recently diagnosed lung cancer, her representative confirmed to Deadline.
Recall that Linda Lavin had been busy throughout December promoting her new Netflix series, No Good Deed, and filming Mid-Century Modern, an upcoming comedy series for Hulu. The creators of the series have since put out a statement following her passing.
In a joint statement with director-producer James Burrows, which was obtained by Variety, the creators of Mid-Century Modern as well as the executive producers, David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, said “Working with Linda was one of the highlights of our careers.”
The statement also said: “She was a magnificent actress, singer, musician and a heat-seeking missile with a joke. But more significantly, she was a beautiful soul. Deep, joyful, generous and loving. She made our days better. The entire staff and crew will miss her beyond measure. We are better for having known her.”
Lavin grew up in Portland, Maine, where she began her acting career as a child. During the 1960s, she made a name for herself on Broadway, earning acclaim and at least one Tony nomination for her performances in both plays and musicals.
Linda Lavin gained recognition with a standout recurring role in the ABC sitcom Barney Miller, which led to her casting as the lead in Alice, where she portrayed a widowed diner waitress aspiring to become a singer. The show ran for nine seasons, from 1976 to 1985, with Lavin starring in 202 episodes.
Throughout her 50-year career, Lavin seamlessly transitioned between Hollywood and Broadway. She won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play in 1987 for her role in Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound and received multiple Tony and Emmy nominations. Linda Lavin also earned several Golden Globe Awards and appeared in films such as The Back-Up Plan alongside Jennifer Lopez. Additionally, she guest-starred in numerous television series.
Our findings show that Linda Lavin’s husband of 19 years, Steve Bakunas, was with her when she died.
