Reflecting on Linda Lavin‘s extraordinary life journey, I find myself deeply moved and inspired by her remarkable accomplishments and unyielding determination. From humble beginnings as a young girl taking the stage at the age of 5 to her illustrious Broadway debut in 1962, Lavin’s story is one of resilience, talent, and grace.
Her ability to adapt to different roles throughout her career, from coloratura soprano opera singer to television icon, is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Her portrayal of Mary Tyler Moore’s best friend in “Rhoda” and the titular character in “Alice” will forever be etched in the hearts of millions who grew up watching them.
Yet, it was her return to Broadway later in life that truly solidified Lavin’s status as a legendary actress. Her work on stage, from “Our Mother’s Brief Affair” to her recent performances at Red Barn Studio Theatre, showcased her versatility and undeniable talent.
What sets Linda Lavin apart, however, is not just her unparalleled skill but also her ability to touch the hearts of audiences with her warmth and vulnerability. Her performances were always grounded in honesty and humanity, making us laugh, cry, and feel a little bit closer to the characters she portrayed.
As I reflect on Lavin’s life and career, I can’t help but be reminded of a quote from one of her most iconic roles: “You can’t just sit around waiting for the good things to happen to you. You have to go out and make them happen.” Linda Lavin did just that, and in doing so, she left an indelible mark on the world of theatre and entertainment.
And now, as a little joke to lighten the mood, I can’t help but wonder what conversations Linda Lavin must have had with Kermit the Frog during their time together on “The Muppets Take Manhattan.” Only Linda could make being a Muppet’s doctor both hilarious and heartwarming! RIP, Linda. Your talent will never be forgotten.
87-year-old actress Linda Lavin, best known for her role in the CBS sitcom “Alice” and receiving a Tony award for Neil Simon’s play “Broadway Bound,” passed away on Sunday. Throughout her career, she continued to appear in TV shows and on stage.
It was confirmed by a representative that the actress, unfortunately, passed away on Sunday due to complications from lung cancer, which had only recently been detected. As late as December 4th, Lavin graced the premiere of Netflix’s dark comedy series “No Good Deed” at their Tudum Theater in Hollywood.
Lavin was also eager to appear alongside Matt Bomer and Nathan Lane in the forthcoming Hulu comedy “Mid-Century Modern,” currently being filmed for its first season. This series is being developed by David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, creators/executive producers of “Will & Grace”, along with director-producer James Burrows, under 20th Television.
Working alongside Linda was an exceptional career moment for us all. Her talent as an actress, singer, musician was undeniable, but she truly shone with her quick wit and humor – always hitting the mark like a smart missile with a joke. However, what made her truly special was her beautiful soul – deep, joyful, generous, and loving. She brought light to our days that we will sorely miss. The entire team sends their heartfelt farewells; we are grateful for having had the privilege of knowing her.
Hulu and 20th Television, both part of Disney, also paid tribute to the veteran thespian.
We extend our sincere and deepest sympathies to Linda Lavin’s family and those close to her. In our industry, she was a true legend, sharing her immense talent with viewers for more than seven decades. Her ‘Mid-Century Modern’ family will miss her dearly as we collectively grieve this tremendous loss.
Lavin became a cherished character actress during her ten-year run on the CBS comedy series “Alice,” which was based on Martin Scorsese’s 1974 film “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” and starred Ellen Burstyn. The show, airing from 1976 to 1985, featured Lavin as Alice Hyatt, a widow with a son (Philip McKeon) who embarked on a new life in Arizona, working at Mel’s Diner alongside fellow waitresses Flo (Polly Holliday) and Vera (Beth Howland), whose boss was portrayed by Vic Tayback.
In 1979, Lavin received an Emmy nomination for her contributions to the series. She was awarded the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical category for “Alice” in both 1979 and 1980, and received another nomination in 1981 as well.
For eight consecutive seasons, “Alice” ranked among the top 30 TV shows, peaking at fourth place during the 1979-1980 season. However, it eventually lost popularity and ended its run in its final season. Later on, the show was aired again through syndication.
2015 saw her star in the comedy “The Intern,” directed by Nancy Meyers, alongside Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. Two more films, “My Bakery in Brooklyn” and “Manhattan Nocturne,” were scheduled for release in 2016. Over the past decade, she has been active on various TV shows such as “No Good Deed” on Netflix, “Elsbeth” on CBS, and the CBS comedy “9JKL.” Her recent television appearances also include “B Positive” on CBS, “Being the Ricardos” on Amazon Prime, “Brockmire” on IFC, “Santa Clarita Diet” on Netflix, “Madam Secretary,” “Mom,” and “The Good Wife” on CBS, as well as roles in “Bones” and “The O.C.” on Fox, “The Sopranos” and “Room 104” on HBO, and others. Her film roles in recent years include “Girls Weekend” in 2019, “How to Be a Latin Lover” in 2017, and “The Back-up Plan” in 2010.
Despite Lavin’s frequent TV appearances post “Alice,” it was actually her stage performances that earned her recognition. She was six-time Tony Award nominee, with nods for Featured Actress in a Play in 1970 for Neil Simon’s “Last of the Red Hot Lovers”; Leading Actress in a Play in 1987 for Simon’s “Broadway Bound,” which she won; Featured Actress in a Play in 1998 for “The Diary of Anne Frank”; Leading Actress in a Play in 2001 for Charles Busch’s “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife”; Leading Actress in a Play in 2010 for Donald Margulies’ “Collected Stories”; and Leading Actress in a Play in 2012 for Nicky Silver’s “The Lyons.”
In a straightforward and conversational manner: Lavin was renowned for her charming performances across various genres, including drama, comedy, and musicals. Even before “The Lyons” made it to Broadway, the New York Times commended her uniquely for “bringing unexpected depth to one-liners.
1990 saw Lavin stepping into the leading role of Rose in a Broadway revival of the musical “Gypsy,” which was originally played by Tyne Daly. In 1994, she took on a replacement role in Wendy Wasserstein’s play “The Sisters Rosenzweig.” Fast forward to 2002, Lavin starred in “Hollywood Arms,” a play penned by Carol Burnett and her daughter Carrie Hamilton.
Following Alice Lavin, who was frequently engaged with theater projects, occasionally dabbled in television. However, the Peak TV era of the past decade kept her extensively occupied, offering a continuous flow of guest appearances and recurring roles in both comedies and dramas. She shared screen time with Patricia Heaton as feuding mothers and daughters on the ABC sitcom “Room for Two” in 1992, and she was a main cast member on the short-lived series “Conrad Bloom” in 1998 and the Sean Hayes show “Sean Saves the World” from 2013 to 2014.
She made appearances in various TV films and was a guest star on numerous shows, including “Touched by an Angel,” “The OC,” “The Good Wife,” and “The Sopranos.” On the latter, she portrayed a psychotherapist who Meadow Soprano visited. Notably, she appeared in a 2002 episode of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” as a cold-hearted Jewish matriarch who had her daughter-in-law killed.
As a child hailing from Portland, Maine, I was fortunate to be born to Lucille Potter Lavin, a renowned coloratura soprano opera singer who graced both the stage and the radio. At just five years old, I stepped onto the stage for the first time, marking the beginning of my own journey in the performing arts. In 1959, I proudly graduated from the College of William and Mary with a theater degree, setting the foundation for my future career.
In 1962, the actress first graced Broadway’s stage with her performance in the musical comedy “A Family Affair,” directed by Harold Prince. The following year, she starred in another musical comedy, “The Riot Act.” In 1966, she revisited Broadway for a third time, again under Prince’s direction, this time in “It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman.” Throughout the 1960s, she also appeared on Broadway in “Something Different,” penned and directed by Carl Reiner, as well as John Guare’s “Cop-Out.” During this period, her other New York performances included “Oh, Kay!” (1960), “On a Clear Day, You Can See Forever” (1966 and 1973), and “The Enemy Is Dead.” Additionally, she made an appearance on television in a 1967 production of “Damn Yankees.
In 1963, Lavin first appeared on television in an episode of “The Doctors and Nurses.” Following her role in “Damn Yankees,” she starred in a segment titled “Sadbird” for “CBS Playhouse” in 1969. Before embarking on a one-season stint (1975-76) as Det. Janice Wentworth in the hit ABC comedy “Barney Miller,” she made several TV movie appearances and guest spots on shows like “Rhoda” and “Harry O.” After launching the popular series “Alice” in 1976, Lavin continued to make guest appearances on other shows, including “Phyllis” and “Family.
For many years, her film career didn’t take off significantly; she appeared as Kermit’s doctor in “The Muppets Take Manhattan” back in 1984. In 1989, she landed supporting roles in Alan J. Pakula’s “See You in the Morning” and Alain Resnais’ film “I Want to Go Home,” penned by Jules Feiffer. However, it wasn’t until later in her career that she was truly drawn to films. She featured in supporting roles for Alan Poul’s movie starring Jennifer Lopez, “The Back-up Plan” (2010), and the Jennifer Aniston-Paul Rudd comedy “Wanderlust” (2012). Her performance as a mother struggling with Alzheimer’s in Michael Maren’s 2014 film, “A Short History of Decay,” was particularly noteworthy.
In 2016, Linda Lavin made an appearance on Broadway in the play titled “Our Mother’s Brief Affair.” However, as EbMaster pointed out, even a saint like Linda Lavin couldn’t salvage the unappealing character she portrayed in this production. The play, written by Richard Greenberg, is criticized for being superficially engaging and devoid of real dramatic tension. The storyline is monotonous, revolving around an unsympathetic woman who might or might not be near death, revealing a closely guarded secret to her ungrateful adult children. This production, initially commissioned by South Coast Rep, has now been brought to Broadway by Manhattan Theater Club.
Following their encounter with actor-drummer Steve Bakunas during the 2002 production of “Hollywood Arms,” they tied the knot in 2005 and settled down in Wilmington, N.C. Together, they transformed a garage into the Red Barn Studio Theatre. This theater was their shared endeavor, and she graced its stage in plays like “Doubt,” “Collected Stories,” “Driving Miss Daisy,” and “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife,” among others. Additionally, she directed regional plays as well.
Lavin was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2011.
She had been married three times. Her first marriage was to actor Ron Liebman, which lasted from 1969 to 1981. Afterward, she married actor Kip Niven, and this union persisted from 1982 until 1992.
Lavin is survived by third husband Bakunas.
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2024-12-30 09:47