History of Linda Lavin in Timeline
Linda Lavin is a celebrated American actress and singer, best known for her portrayal of the title character in the popular sitcom "Alice." This role garnered her significant recognition and solidified her place in television history. Beyond her television work, Lavin has also achieved considerable success on stage, with notable performances both on and off-Broadway. Her career spans several decades and showcases her versatility as a performer in various genres.
October 15, 1937: Linda Lavin is Born
Linda Lavin was born on October 15, 1937, in Portland, Maine.
1958: Performance in "The Common Glory"
In the summer of 1958, Linda Lavin performed a lead role in the outdoor drama "The Common Glory".
1960: Appearance in Oh, Kay!
In 1960, Linda Lavin appeared in George Gershwin's musical "Oh, Kay!" at the East 74th Street Theater, alongside Penny Fuller and Marti Stevens.
1962: Broadway Debut in A Family Affair
Linda Lavin made her Broadway debut in 1962 with the musical "A Family Affair."
1963: Performance in The Riot Act
In 1963, Lavin performed in the play "The Riot Act."
1965: Off-Broadway Debut and Theatre World Award
Lavin appeared Off-Broadway in the revue "Wet Paint" in 1965, winning a Theatre World Award for her performance.
1966: Performance in The Mad Show
In 1966, Lavin performed in the musical "The Mad Show," where she introduced the song "The Boy From..."
1966: Broadway Debut and "It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman"
In 1966, Linda Lavin gained recognition for her performance in the Broadway musical "It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman".
1966: Recording of "The Boy From..."
Linda Lavin appeared on the 1966 cast recording of "The Mad Show", performing Stephen Sondheim's "The Boy From...".
1966: Featured Role in It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman
Linda Lavin had a featured role in the 1966 musical "It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman."
1967: Telefilm Debut in "Damn Yankees!"
Linda Lavin made her telefilm debut in "Damn Yankees!" in 1967.
1967: Television Appearance in "Damn Yankees!"
Linda Lavin appeared in a television version of the musical "Damn Yankees!" in 1967.
1967: Performance in Something Different
Lavin acted in Carl Reiner's play "Something Different" in 1967.
1969: Drama Desk Award for Little Murders
Lavin won a Drama Desk Award for her Off-Broadway performance in "Little Murders" in 1969.
1969: Performance in Last of the Red Hot Lovers
Lavin's performance as Elaine in the 1969 play "Last of the Red Hot Lovers" was reviewed by Clive Barnes for The New York Times.
1969: Marriage to Ron Leibman
Linda Lavin married actor Ron Leibman in 1969.
1969: Performance in Cop-Out
Linda Lavin's performance in John Guare's "Cop-Out" in 1969 was reviewed by Clive Barnes in The New York Times.
1970: Tony Award Nomination for Last of the Red Hot Lovers
Lavin received her first Tony Award nomination in 1970 for her performance in Neil Simon's "Last of the Red Hot Lovers" (1969).
1970: First Tony Award Nomination
Linda Lavin received her first Tony Award nomination in 1970 for her role in "Last of the Red Hot Lovers".
1971: Performance in Story Theatre
Linda Lavin's last Broadway performance before moving to Hollywood was in Paul Sills' "Story Theatre" in 1971.
1973: Arrival in Hollywood
Linda Lavin and Ron Leibman arrived in Hollywood, California, in 1973.
1973: Move to Hollywood
Linda Lavin moved to Hollywood in 1973 to pursue opportunities in television.
1975: Recurring Role on "Barney Miller"
Linda Lavin began a recurring role as Detective Janice Wentworth on "Barney Miller" in 1975.
1975: Shakespeare in the Park
In 1975, Lavin appeared in "The Comedy of Errors" at the Delacorte Theater as part of Shakespeare in the Park.
1976: "Alice" Premieres
Linda Lavin landed the title role in the sitcom "Alice", which premiered in 1976.
1976: Starts Starring Role in "Alice"
Linda Lavin left "Barney Miller" to star in the sitcom "Alice" in 1976.
1976: "Alice" Premieres
The sitcom "Alice", starring Linda Lavin, premiered in 1976.
1979: Appearance on "The Muppet Show"
Linda Lavin made a guest appearance on "The Muppet Show" in 1979.
1980: "Linda in Wonderland" Special
Linda Lavin hosted her own holiday special, "Linda in Wonderland", for CBS in 1980.
1981: Divorce from Ron Leibman
Linda Lavin divorced her first husband, Ron Leibman, in 1981.
1981: "A Matter of Life and Death" Telefilm
Linda Lavin produced and starred in the telefilm "A Matter of Life and Death" in 1981.
1984: Performance in Six Characters in Search of an Author
In 1984, Lavin played "The Mother" in Luigi Pirandello's "Six Characters in Search of an Author" at the American Repertory Theatre.
1984: Feature Film Debut in "The Muppets Take Manhattan"
Linda Lavin made her feature film debut in "The Muppets Take Manhattan" in 1984.
1985: "Alice" Ends
The sitcom "Alice" concluded its run in 1985.
1985: "Alice" Ends
The sitcom "Alice" concluded its run in 1985.
1987: Tony Award for Broadway Bound
Linda Lavin won a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for her portrayal of Kate in Simon's "Broadway Bound" in 1987. This performance was highly praised by critics such as Frank Rich and Charles McNulty.
1987: Tony Award for "Broadway Bound"
Linda Lavin won a Tony Award in 1987 for her performance in "Broadway Bound".
1989: Appears in "See You in the Morning" and "I Want to Go Home"
Linda Lavin appeared in the films "See You in the Morning" and "I Want to Go Home" in 1989.
July 1990: Starring as Mama Rose in Gypsy
Lavin replaced Tyne Daly as Mama Rose Hovick in the Broadway production of "Gypsy" in July 1990. Her performance was praised by June Havoc, daughter of the real Rose Hovick.
1990: Directs "Flour Babies" Telefilm
Linda Lavin directed the telefilm "Flour Babies" in 1990.
1990: "Gypsy" on Broadway
Linda Lavin starred in the Broadway revival of "Gypsy" in 1990.
1992: "Room for Two" Sitcom
Linda Lavin starred in the sitcom "Room for Two" from 1992 to 1993.
1992: Divorce from Kip Niven
Linda Lavin's second marriage, to Kip Niven, ended in a bitter divorce in 1992.
September 1993: Replacement Role in The Sisters Rosensweig
Lavin took over the role of Gorgeous Teitelbaum in "The Sisters Rosensweig" starting in September 1993.
1993: "The Sisters Rosensweig" on Broadway
In 1993, Linda Lavin appeared on Broadway in "The Sisters Rosensweig".
1995: Off-Broadway Performance and Awards for Death-Defying Acts
Linda Lavin appeared in the Off-Broadway production of "Death-Defying Acts" in 1995, for which she received a Drama Desk nomination, an Obie Award, and the Lucille Lortel Award.
1997: "The Diary of Anne Frank" on Broadway
Linda Lavin starred in "The Diary of Anne Frank" on Broadway from 1997 to 1998.
1997: Performance in The Diary of Anne Frank
In 1997-1998, Lavin played Mrs. Van Daan in "The Diary of Anne Frank" alongside Natalie Portman.
1997: The Linda Lavin Arts Foundation Founded
In 1997, Lavin founded The Linda Lavin Arts Foundation in Wilmington to promote arts in education, including creating a theatre program for at-risk teenage girls.
1998: As You Like It - Brazilian Jazz Style
In 1998, Linda Lavin directed a production of Shakespeare's "As You Like It" in Wilmington, adapting it with a Brazilian jazz theme. She also taught acting and singing masterclasses in Wilmington and New York.
1998: Tony Nomination for The Diary of Anne Frank
Lavin received a Tony nomination for Featured Actress in a Play for her role in "The Diary of Anne Frank" in 1997-1998.
1998: "Conrad Bloom" Sitcom
Linda Lavin acted in the sitcom "Conrad Bloom" in 1998.
1998: Last Listed Telefilm, "Best Friends for Life"
Linda Lavin appeared in the telefilm "Best Friends for Life" in 1998. This is the last of her numerous telefilm appearances between 1967 and 1998.
1998: End of "The Diary of Anne Frank" Run
Linda Lavin's run in "The Diary of Anne Frank" on Broadway ended in 1998.
1999: Appearance on "Touched by an Angel"
Linda Lavin made a guest appearance on "Touched by an Angel" in 1999.
2000: Performance in The Tale of the Allergist's Wife
From 2000-2001, Lavin starred in "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife," receiving Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations.
2000: "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife" on Broadway
Linda Lavin starred in "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife" on Broadway, starting in 2000.
2001: Tony and Drama Desk Nominations for The Tale of the Allergist's Wife
In 2000-2001, Lavin was nominated for a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for her performance in "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife."
2001: End of "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife" Run
Linda Lavin concluded her run in "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife" in 2001.
2002: Performance in Hollywood Arms
Lavin played the "nanny" in "Hollywood Arms" in Chicago and on Broadway in 2002.
2002: Appearance on "The Sopranos"
Linda Lavin made a guest appearance on HBO's "The Sopranos" in 2002.
2005: Cabaret Performance at the Empire Plush Room
In 2005, Lavin performed at the Empire Plush Room in San Francisco, accompanied by Billy Stritch and Steve Bakunas.
2005: Marriage to Steve Bakunas
Linda Lavin married artist/musician Steve Bakunas in 2005. They resided in Wilmington, North Carolina, and were actively involved in community development projects.
April 2006: Cabaret Performance at Birdland
Linda Lavin performed her cabaret act, "The Song Remembers When," with Billy Stritch at Birdland in New York in April 2006.
December 2010: Previews of Other Desert Cities Begin
Lavin began previews for "Other Desert Cities" at the Mitzi Newhouse Theater in December 2010.
2010: Appears in "The Back-up Plan"
Linda Lavin appeared in the film "The Back-up Plan" in 2010.
2010: Tony Nomination for "Collected Stories"
Linda Lavin received her fifth Tony Award nomination in 2010 for her role in "Collected Stories".
February 27, 2011: Closing of Other Desert Cities
Linda Lavin's Off-Broadway run in Jon Robin Baitz's "Other Desert Cities" at the Mitzi Newhouse Theater concluded on February 27, 2011.
May 2011: Performance in Follies at the Kennedy Center
Linda Lavin played Hattie Walker in the musical "Follies" at the Kennedy Center from May to June 2011.
June 2011: End of Follies Run at Kennedy Center
Lavin concluded her run as Hattie Walker in "Follies" at the Kennedy Center in June 2011.
September 2011: Off-Broadway Premiere of The Lyons
Lavin originated the role of Rita in Nicky Silver's "The Lyons" Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre, starting in September 2011. Her performance was reviewed by Ben Brantley in The New York Times.
March 2012: Performance with Wilmington Symphony
Lavin performed with the Wilmington Symphony in Wilmington, North Carolina in March 2012.
April 23, 2012: Broadway Opening of The Lyons
Lavin's Broadway performance in Nicky Silver's "The Lyons" opened at the Cort Theatre on April 23, 2012.
July 1, 2012: Closing of The Lyons on Broadway
"The Lyons," starring Linda Lavin, closed on Broadway on July 1, 2012.
September 2012: Planned Move to New York City
Linda Lavin announced her intention to sell her Wilmington home and move back to New York City in September 2012.
2012: Possibilities Release
Linda Lavin's album "Possibilities" was released by Ghostlight Records in 2012. A review by Steven Suskin noted the contrast between her sweet and friendly singing voice and her more assertive acting persona.
2013: Living in New York City
Linda Lavin and Steve Bakunas lived in New York City from approximately 2013.
2013: "Sean Saves the World" Sitcom
Linda Lavin joined the cast of the NBC sitcom "Sean Saves the World" in 2013, playing Lorna.
May 18, 2014: Off-Broadway Opening of Too Much Sun
Linda Lavin starred in Nicky Silver's new play, "Too Much Sun," which opened Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre on May 18, 2014. Ben Brantley reviewed the performance for The New York Times.
2014: Living in New York City
Linda Lavin and Steve Bakunas lived in New York City until approximately 2014.
2015: Performance in Our Mother's Brief Affair
In the 2015-2016 season, Lavin appeared on Broadway in Richard Greenberg's "Our Mother's Brief Affair."
2015: Guest Appearance on "Bones"
Linda Lavin guest-starred as a judge in an episode of "Bones" titled "The Verdict in the Victims" in 2015.
July 2016: Central Park South Apartment for Sale
In July 2016, Linda Lavin's Central Park South apartment was listed for sale for $1.25 million.
January 2017: Performance in Candide
In January 2017, Lavin performed the role of The Old Lady in New York City Opera's production of Leonard Bernstein's "Candide."
2017: "9JKL" Sitcom Premieres
Linda Lavin joined the cast of the CBS sitcom "9JKL" in 2017.
2018: "9JKL" Ends
Linda Lavin's sitcom "9JKL" ended in 2018.
2019: Deaths of Former Husbands and Alice Co-stars
In 2019, both of Lavin's former husbands, Ron Leibman and Kip Niven, passed away. Additionally, two of her "Alice" co-stars, Philip McKeon and Charles Levin, also died in the same year.
2019: Joins "Santa Clarita Diet" Cast
Linda Lavin joined the cast of the Netflix comedy/horror series "Santa Clarita Diet" in 2019.
2019: Publication of Alice: Life Behind the Counter
The book "Alice: Life Behind the Counter in Mel's Greasy Spoon" by Barry M. Putt, Jr., was published in 2019.
2020: Performance in Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration
In 2020, 54 years after introducing it, Lavin performed "The Boy From..." as part of "Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration."
2020: Performs in Sondheim Birthday Tribute and Joins "B Positive"
In 2020, Linda Lavin performed in "Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration" and joined the cast of the CBS comedy "B Positive".
2022: "B Positive" Ends
Linda Lavin's recurring role in the CBS comedy "B Positive" ended in 2022.
June 2024: Casting in Mid-Century Modern
In June 2024, Linda Lavin was cast to play Nathan Lane's mother in the upcoming Hulu series "Mid-Century Modern," a show created by Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, set in Palm Springs.
December 29, 2024: Death of Linda Lavin
Linda Lavin passed away on December 29, 2024.