The Tony and Golden Globe-winning actress and singer, Linda Lavinbest known for starring in the series “Alice” of CBS for almost a decade, died on Sunday (29), aged 87. She died due to complications from recently discovered lung cancer, according to her representatives.
Lavin’s long and illustrious career, which spanned both stage and screen, began at a young age. Born into a musical family, Lavin had been performing since she was 5 years old, according to the college she attended, William & Mary.
She got her big break in New York, perfecting herself in Broadway plays and musicals during the 1960s. She starred in the musical “It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman” in 1966, which was reviewed by the New York Times at the time. praising his performance as “innovative”. “I wish she was in every musical and every show,” wrote Times critic Stanley Kauffmann.
But it was the television series “Alice,” which follows a widowed mother pursuing her dreams of being a singer while working at a diner, that made Lavin a household name. She played the title character throughout the series’ nine-season run, from 1976 to 1985 – during which time she won two Golden Globes, was nominated a third time, and also received an Emmy nomination.
In the following years, she juggled television, film and theater, winning one for her leading role in the 1986 play “Broadway Bound” – and more Tony nominations for several other projects. His work has never diminished over the years, with roles in voice acting, directing and producing, as well as teaching master classes at William & Mary.
His most recent performance was in the Netflix series, which follows three families struggling to buy the same house – released at the beginning of December. She was scheduled to perform in another play, “Mid-Century Modern,” in California in January.
News of her death prompted tributes and messages of mourning from those in Hollywood and on Broadway who remembered her as a respected veteran who shaped the industry.
Actress Patricia Heaton shared a video on X recalling her time working with Lavin on the short-lived ABC series “Room for Two” from 1992 to 1993. “She was a true legend. The first major role I had on television was playing his daughter,” Heaton said. “She was my mentor, my guardian angel. She really looked after me, taught me a lot, not just about acting, but about life. And we had dinner a few months ago when I was in LA, and she was as quick-witted and funny and energetic as she always was.”
