Sad news has emerged from the world of television: beloved actress Linda Lavin has passed away at the age of 87. The news is a shock to fans, as Lavin remained active in the weeks leading up to her death, promoting her recent Netflix series, *No Good Deed*, and filming another sitcom, *Mid-Century Modern*, for Hulu.
According to sources close to the situation, Lavin passed away on Sunday following a short battle with cancer. *Deadline* was the first to report her death, stating that she “passed unexpectedly due to complications from recently discovered lung cancer.” News of Lavin’s passing quickly made her name a trending topic on X (formerly Twitter), where thousands of tributes poured in from co-stars, friends, and fans.
Linda Lavin enjoyed an epic career spanning nearly 60 years. While best known for her titular role in the 1970s sitcom *Alice*, she amassed dozens of noteworthy film and television roles. A favorite of theater directors, she won a Tony Award in 1987 for her performance in Neil Simon’s *Broadway Bound*. More recently, she appeared in sitcoms such as *Sean Saves the World*, *9JKL*, and *B Positive*.
For millions, however, Lavin’s most memorable work will always be her performance in *Alice*, a beloved sitcom based on the Martin Scorsese film *Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore*. The show’s success stemmed largely from Lavin’s ability to blend humor with heart, portraying a widowed single mother working in a diner with remarkable depth and humanity. Tributes suggest she brought this same warmth and humor to her personal life.
*Everybody Loves Raymond* star Patricia Heaton’s tweet encapsulated the sentiments of many: “I just heard the news that my dear friend Linda Lavin died. Totally unexpected, even at the age of 87. A true friend and a total force of nature.” Our thoughts are with Linda’s loved ones during this difficult time.