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“Life is a cabaret, old chum,”a mindful lyric from the iconicCabaret, performed by Liza Minnelli, perfectly encapsulates the vibrant spirit with which Linda Lavin lived her life. Alas, the world lost a theater giant on August 04, 2025, when Lavin passed away at the age of 87 due to complications from lung cancer.
Known to millions for her unforgettable portrayal of Alice on the beloved CBS sitcom, she was far more than just the face behind a diner waitress.
From musicals likeA Family Affairto the quirky,It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman, Lavin brought an energy to the stage that was impossible to ignore. She was a true chameleon, a woman who could transition from drama to comedy without breaking a sweat.
As we bid farewell to the legendary star who passed away at 87, let’s lift the curtain on five lesser-known chapters of her remarkable life.
1Linda Lavin gained acclaim with aSupermanmusical
In 1966, Broadway was buzzing with the arrival of a brand-new musical, one that dared to take the comic book world and put it on stage.It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Supermanwas based on the beloved DC Comics superhero and featured a score by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Lee Adams, and a script by David Newman and Robert Benton.
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The show was all set to be a hit, or so they thought. Directed by the legendary Harold Prince and choreographed by Ernie Flatt, the production boasted an all-star cast, including Bob Holiday as the iconic Superman, Patricia Marand as Lois Lane, and Jack Cassidy as the villainous Max Mencken.
But the show just didn’t land properly. Despite receiving positive reviews from critics, the audience’s reaction wasn’t as enthusiastic. It ran for just three and a half months before closing in July 1966, becoming one of Broadway’s most expensive flops, with a loss of $600,000. That was a hefty price tag back in the day, especially for a show that had Tony Award nominations for Best Actor, Best Featured Actor, and Best Featured Actress.
Still, from the ashes of this Broadway misfire, Linda Lavin emerged like a phoenix. The late actress-singer played Sydney, a character in the supporting cast, and while the show didn’t break any records, one thing certainly did: her songYou’ve Got Possibilities.Introduced by Lavin, the number became a cabaret staple.
But even in the face of a Broadway flop, Lavin wasn’t ready to hang up her cape just yet. If anything, it was merely a footnote in her career. Her performance inIt’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Supermanhelped her gain notice, and soon, she was nominated for her first Tony Award forLast of the Red Hot Loversin 1970.
In 1973, Lavin made the move to Hollywood, where her career truly took off. She became a familiar face on television, first appearing on the beloved sitcomBarney Millerin a recurring role. But it wasn’t until 1976 that she landed her breakout role: the title character in the hit comedyAlice, which ran for almost a decade, from 1976 to 1985. The show was a hit, and Lavin’s portrayal of Alice Hyatt earned her a place in the hearts of millions of viewers across the globe.
In addition to her television success, Lavin also appeared in several telefilms and feature films, proving that she had the chops to tackle any role, big or small. And just like that, the girl who once stood in the wings of a Broadway flop became a household name.
2Linda Lavin’s first feature debut was a box-officesuccess
Sometimes, all it takes is one magical moment to stamp your mark on the world, and for Linda Lavin, that moment came in the form ofThe Muppets Take Manhattan(1984). In a film brimming with a star-studded cast, iconic puppets, and infectious music, Lavin made her feature film debut with flair and finesse.
She stood shoulder to shoulder with an ensemble cast of heavyweights, includingLiza Minnelli, Joan Rivers, and Gregory Hines. Released in the summer of 1984,The Muppets Take Manhattanwas an instant hit, pulling in $25.5 million at the box office—far surpassing its modest budget of $8 million (viaBox Office Mojo).
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Directed byFrank Oz, the film was a wild ride filled with joy, humor, and delightful musical numbers. Needless to say, audiences loved it, and its success spoke volumes. With a current solid 85% approval rating onRotten Tomatoes, it quickly cemented its place in pop culture, not just for the Muppets but also for Lavin.
But her journey didn’t stop there. After this debut, she continued to take on significant roles in films likeSee You in the Morning(1989) andI Want to Go Home(1989), alongside Jeff Bridges and Gérard Depardieu, respectively.
3Linda Lavin’sAlicewas based on a Martin Scorsese film
Linda Lavin’s career truly took flight when she grabbed the lead role in the popular CBS hitAlice. The comedy was based on theMartin Scorsese-directed 1974 filmAlice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
Lavin took on the role of Alice Hyatt, a waitress and singer, originally portrayed by Burstyn. She also performed the series’ theme song,There’s a New Girl in Town,written by David Shire, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, which was updated for each of the first six seasons.
The series narrates the journey of a widow and her preteen son as they traverse the Southwestern United States in pursuit of a better life.Aliceran from 1976 to 1985, and during its splendid 9 season run, Lavin earned two Golden Globe Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. The actress also portrayed a dual role inAlice, playing Debbie Walden, the former landlady of Vera Louise Gorman-Novak.
Additionally, Lavin made numerous television appearances outside ofAlice, including hosting her own holiday special for CBS,Linda in Wonderland(1980). As a sitcom,Alicereceived mixed reviews, with anIMDbrating currently resting at a modest 6.8 stars. However, Lavin’s performance as Alice waswidely appreciated, as many fans recognized her as the Broadway legend she was.
4Linda Lavin was ‘s*xually harassed’ on the set?
There’s a certain strength that emerges when someone finally finds the courage to share their truth—especially when it’s been kept buried for far too long. Linda Lavin is a shining example of this strength. Back in 2022, she took a brave step forward, recounting an experience of sexual harassment that took place decades ago, during the filming of the 1987 TV movieLena: My 100 Children.
In an honest conversation withPage Six, Lavin shared the painful details of how she was harassed by a powerful member of the production team. The harassment was not just verbal; it was physical and “disgusting.” As she recalled, she tried to seek support from the women on set, only to be met with the harsh reality that speaking out would cost them their jobs:
I went to the women on the crew and said, ‘Will you go to the union with me?’ And they said, ‘We’ll lose our jobs [if we do], and so I was alone with it and I was scared.
But unlike the past, when silence often reigned, Lavin now felt empowered to speak out.“The difference is now I do [speak up],” she said, referencing the strength she drew from the #MeToo movement. She added:
I got my self-esteem back.
Lavin also reflected on the progress made for women in the industry, recognizing that now there were systems in place to support those who stood up against abuse. She noted:
We have support and regulations.
Lavin’s courage is not just about her own experience—it’s a call for all those who have suffered in silence to finally be heard. She shared how, during her early years in the industry, women were often told to “brush it off” and “sweep it under the rug”. Now, those old norms are being dismantled, and more and more voices are finding the courage to speak out.
5Linda Lavin’s personal life was not easy: She had 3 marriages
They say life’s a journey, but for Linda Lavin, it was more like a masterfully composed symphony—full of highs, lows, and everything in between, each moment playing its part in an unforgettable score. Through three marriages, countless career milestones, and a commitment to giving back, Lavin’s journey paints a portrait of resilience, compassion, and reinvention.
Her first marriage to Ron Leibman ended in 1981, closing one chapter but far from writing the final word. Her second marriage, to Kip Niven—whom she met on the set ofAlice—also fizzled out in 1992. Although she never had children of her own, she poured love and wisdom into the lives of her husbands’ children, guiding them as only a mother could.
In 2005, she tied the knot again, this time with artist and musician Steve Bakunas. Her commitment didn’t stop there—she also cherished her role as a grandmother, forming close relationships with her grandchildren.
Sadly, 2019 marked a year of profound loss for Lavin, as she bid farewell to several important figures in her life. Both of her former husbands, Ron Leibman and Kip Niven, passed away, leaving a void that echoed deeply. The grief didn’t stop there—she also lost two of herAliceco-stars, Philip McKeon andCharles Levin, adding to the heartbreak that year.
In the world of entertainment, the term ‘legend’ is tossed around a lot, but Linda Lavin truly embodied it. Her brilliance, grace, and impact were as real as it gets, and that kind of legacy? Well, it’s not something you can fake!
Linda Lavin, you will truly be missed!
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3309
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
