Linda Lavin Dies

Her performance as a single mother working as a waitress endeared her to audiences and earned her two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy.

Linda Lavin, born on October 15, 1937, in Portland, Maine, was an American actress and singer whose career spanned over six decades. She developed an early interest in performing, influenced by her mother, a singer, and her father, a businessman. Lavin honed her craft at the College of William & Mary, where she earned a theater degree, and furthered her studies at HB Studio in New York City.

Lavin’s career began in the theater, making her Broadway debut in 1960 with the musical-comedy “Oh, Kay!” She gained prominence with roles in productions such as “It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman” (1966) and “The Mad Show ” (1966). In 1967, she appeared in Damn Yankees!, a TV adaptation directed by Kirk Browning of the 1955 baseball musical.

The TV Damn Yankees! starred Lee Remick, Phil Silvers, and Jim Backus.

Her versatility shone through in both musicals and plays, earning her critical acclaim and multiple Tony Award nominations. Later she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her role in Neil Simon’s “Broadway Bound” in 1987. Transitioning to television, Lavin became a household name with her portrayal of Alice Hyatt in the CBS sitcom “Alice,” which aired from 1976 to 1985.

Her performance as a single mother working as a waitress endeared her to audiences and earned her two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy. She continued to make notable television appearances in series such as “Barney Miller,”

“The Good Wife,” and “B Positive,” showcasing her range across various genres. In her personal life, Lavin was married three times. Her first marriage to Ron Leibman ended in divorce in 1981. She later married Kip Niven, whom she met on the set of “Alice”; this marriage also ended in divorce in 1992. In 2005, she married artist and musician Steve Bakunas. Lavin was a stepmother to Jim and Kate Niven, Kip Niven’s children from a previous marriage,

and was actively involved in their lives, as well as in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchild. Throughout her career, Lavin received numerous accolades, including three Drama Desk Awards1, two Obie Awards2, and induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame3 in 2010. Her contributions to theater and television were celebrated for their depth, emotional range, and comedic timing.

Film

  • 1967 Damn Yankees!
  • 1974 The Morning After
  • 1978 Like Mom, Like Me
  • 1980 The $5.20 an Hour Dream
  • 1981 A Matter of Life and Death
  • 1983 Another Woman’s Child
  • 1984 The Muppets Take Manhattan
  • 1986 Maricela
  • 1987 A Place to Call Home
  • 1987 Lena: My 100 Children
  • 1989 See You in the Morning
  • 1989 I Want to Go Home
  • 1995 A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: The Annette Funicello Story
  • 1996 Stolen Memories: Secrets from the Rose Garden
  • 1996 The Ring
  • 1996 For the Future: The Irvine Fertility Scandal
  • 1998 Best Friends for Life
  • 2002 Collected Stories
  • 2010 The Back-up Plan
  • 2012 Wanderlust
  • 2013 A Short History of Decay
  • 2015 The Intern
  • 2016 Manhattan Night
  • 2016 Bakery in Brooklyn
  • 2017 How to Be a Latin Lover
  • 2019 Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase
  • 2021 Naked Singularity
  • 2021 Being the Ricardos
  • 2022 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
  • 2025 One Big Happy Family

TV

  • 1974 Rhoda
  • 1975 Harry O
  • 1975–1976 Barney Miller (5 episodes)
  • 1976 Phyllis
  • 1976–1985 Alice (202 episodes)
  • 1977 Family
  • 1978 The Hanna-Barbera Happy Hour
  • 1979 Kaz
  • 1979 The Mary Tyler Moore Hour
  • 1979 The Muppet Show
  • 1980 Linda in Wonderland
  • 1982 Lily for President?
  • 1992–1993 Room for Two (26 episodes)
  • 1994 Whitewash
  • 1998 Conrad Bloom (13 episodes)
  • 1999 Touched by an Angel
  • 2002 The Sopranos
  • 2002 Courage the Cowardly Dog
  • 2002 Law & Order: Criminal Intent
  • 2004–2005 The O.C. (3 episodes)
  • 2013, 2023 Bob’s Burgers
  • 2013–2014 Sean Saves the World (15 episodes)
  • 2014–2015 The Good Wife (3 episodes)
  • 2015 Bones
  • 2016 Mom (2 episodes)
  • 2017–2018 9JKL (16 episodes)
  • 2018 Madam Secretary
  • 2019 Santa Clarita Diet (4 episodes)
  • 2019 Brockmire
  • 2020 Yvette Slosch, Agent (13 episodes)
  • 2020 Room 104
  • 2020–2022 B Positive (32 episodes)
  • 2024 Elsbeth
  • 2024 No Good Deed (3 episodes)
  • 2025 Mid-Century Modern (posthumous)

Music

Albums
  • 1980 Sophie (Soundtrack – Libi Staiger, Steve Allen, Kathy Keagan, Linda Lavin, Mimi Roman, Jennie Smith, Jerry Vale, Sandy Warner) – AEI Records
  • 2011 Possibilities – Ghostlight Records (8-3333)
  • 2020 Love Notes – Club 44 (CL44-3103)
Singles
  • 1963 The River is Wide / The Door Is Open – Cabot (CAB 136)

Working with Linda was one of the highlights of our careers. 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.

Producer Max Mutchnick and David Kohan and director and executive producer James Burrows4 released a joint statement

Lavin also appeared in cabaret and concert performances. Linda Lavin passed away on Wednesday, December 29, 2024, in Los Angeles, California, due to complications from lung cancer. She was 87 years old. She is survived by her husband, Steve Bakunas, and her extended family. Her legacy endures through her extensive body of work and the inspiration she provided to fellow actors and audiences alike.

One of the rarest gifts in life is to make a ‘new’ old friend. Linda Lavin was that for me and my family.

Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds)

Footnotes
  1. The Drama Desk Awards are prestigious accolades that celebrate excellence in New York theater, encompassing Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway productions. Established in 1955 by the Drama Desk organization, the awards honor achievements in various theatrical disciplines, including acting, directing, design, and playwriting. Unique among theater awards, they consider all of New York’s theatrical landscape, not just Broadway, offering a more inclusive recognition of talent and innovation. Over the years, the awards have become a significant marker of artistic accomplishment, often serving as precursors to the Tony Awards. ↩︎
  2. The Obie Awards, short for Off-Broadway Theater Awards, honor exceptional achievements in Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway productions in New York City. Founded in 1955 by The Village Voice, the awards recognize artistic excellence in categories such as performance, direction, design, and playwriting, often without rigid categorizations or competitive nominations. Celebrating innovation and bold artistry, the Obies focus on experimental and groundbreaking work, emphasizing the vibrant and diverse landscape of Off-Broadway theater. The awards are highly respected within the theater community for championing creative risk and fostering emerging talent. ↩︎
  3. The American Theater Hall of Fame honors outstanding contributions to the American theater, recognizing actors, playwrights, directors, designers, and other theater professionals whose work has had a lasting impact on the stage. Established in 1971, the Hall of Fame is located in the lobby of the Gershwin Theatre in New York City, where inductees’ names are inscribed on bronze plaques. Nominees must have a career spanning at least 25 years and be acknowledged for significant achievements in theater. Induction ceremonies are held annually, celebrating the enduring legacies of those who have shaped the theatrical arts. ↩︎
  4. James Burrows is a legendary American television director and producer, renowned for his work on some of the most iconic sitcoms in television history. Born on December 30, 1940, in Los Angeles, California, he is the son of playwright and director Abe Burrows. Over his career, Burrows directed and co-created numerous acclaimed series, including Cheers, Taxi, Friends, Will & Grace, and Frasier. His mastery of comedic timing and ability to foster ensemble casts have earned him widespread respect and multiple Emmy Awards. A co-founder of the production company Charles Burrows Charles Productions, he has directed over 1,000 TV episodes, leaving an indelible mark on the sitcom genre. ↩︎
Further Reading
Sources

Author: Doyle

I was born in Atlanta, moved to Alpharetta at 4, lived there for 53 years and moved to Decatur in 2016. I've worked at such places as Richway, North Fulton Medical Center, Management Science America (Computer Tech/Project Manager) and Stacy's Compounding Pharmacy (Pharmacy Tech).

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