WILLIAMSBURG — William & Mary alumna and renowned actress Linda Lavin passed away on Dec. 29 at 87.
A native of Portland, Maine, Lavin was a theatre major at William & Mary. After graduating in 1959, she headed to New York, and started her career as a singer in clubs and off-Broadway shows.
Matthew Lambert, Senior Vice President for University Advancement, William & Mary posted an announcement on his Linkedin profile stating, “We remember the legacy of Linda Lavin, a cherished William & Mary alumna, who graced stages from PBK Hall to Lake Matoaka Amphitheater to Broadway and Hollywood. From portraying Juliet in ‘Romeo & Juliet’ to starring in ‘The Common Glory’ and her iconic role in ‘Alice,’ Linda’s talent shone brightly.”
“Her contributions were recognized with the W&M Alumni Medallion in 1984 and an honorary doctorate in 2009. In 2011, she established the Linda Lavin Theatre Research Award, supporting student research endeavors. Linda’s dedication to her alma mater remained unwavering, exemplifying generosity and commitment,” continued Lambert.
Lavin performed in a broad range of productions on Broadway, including dramas, musicals, and comedies.
In 1987, Lavin received the Tony, Helen Hayes, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle awards for Neil Simon’s “Broadway Bound” and won Tony nominations for her work in “The Diary of Anne Frank” and “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.”
After guest roles on several TV series, Lavin took on her most famous role as single mother Alice Hyatt on the successful comedy “Alice,” which ran for nine years on CBS (1976-1985). She sang the theme song on the show and won two Best Actress Golden Globe awards for her performance.
In 1984, William & Mary recognized Lavin with the Alumni Medallion. That same year she also served as the grand marshal for the Homecoming Parade.
In 2008, Lavin returned to Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall to perform her one-woman concert, “Songs and Confessions of a One-Time Waitress,” on the same stage where she once starred in “Romeo and Juliet.”
In 2009, she received an honorary degree from William & Mary at the Commencement ceremony.
