Linda Lavin, a highly accomplished actress with a significant presence in Broadway, television, and film, passed away on December 29, 2024, due to complications from lung cancer. Her death came as a shock to many, as she had recently appeared at a red carpet event just four weeks prior. At the time of her passing, she was also filming the upcoming Hulu series, *Mid-Century Modern*.
The showrunners of *Mid-Century Modern*, David Kohan, Max Mutchnick, and Jimmy Burrows, released a statement expressing their profound sorrow: “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.”
While Lavin’s representative confirmed the cause of death as complications from lung cancer, the exact duration of her illness remains unclear, with reports suggesting a recent diagnosis.
Lavin was married three times. Her final marriage, to Steve Bakunas in 2005, lasted until her death. She was a stepmother to Bakunas’ children. Her previous marriages were to Kip Niven (1982-1992), whom she met on the set of *Alice*, and Ron Leibman (1969-1981). Both Niven and Leibman passed away in 2019. Lavin did not have any biological children.
Lavin’s career spanned decades, with her most renowned role being that of Alice Hyatt in the sitcom *Alice* (1976-1985). Her extensive television credits also include *Room for Two*, *Conrad Bloom*, *Sean Saves the World*, *9JKL*, and *B Positive*. Her film appearances encompass a diverse range of projects, such as *The Morning After*, *The Muppets Take Manhattan*, *The Back-Up Plan*, *The Intern*, *Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase*, and *Being the Ricardos*, among others.