Renowned actress Linda Lavin, best known for her role in the CBS series “Alice,” passed away on December 29 due to cardiopulmonary arrest, with lung cancer cited as the underlying cause. The information was confirmed through her death certificate, which was made public on Monday. Cardiopulmonary arrest is a condition that inhibits the flow of blood into the heart, thereby preventing oxygen from reaching vital organs. This often results in the individual collapsing and becoming unresponsive.
Lavin’s death certificate also disclosed that she was cremated on January 4 at the Los Angeles residence of her husband, Steve Bakunas, whom she had been married to for nearly two decades. A few days prior to her passing, Lavin had undergone a bronchoscopy, a procedure that allows doctors to examine the airways to diagnose or treat lung conditions.
Bill Veloric, Lavin’s longtime representative, confirmed her death, stating that she had “passed unexpectedly due to complications from recently discovered lung cancer.” Lavin’s career in Hollywood and Broadway took off after she secured her first significant role in 1976 as Alice Hyatt in the CBS series “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.” The show’s title was later shortened to “Alice,” and Lavin’s portrayal of a widowed working mother of a 12-year-old made her a role model for many. The series ran from 1976 to 1985.
Throughout her extensive career, Lavin starred in numerous television shows and films, including “The Good Wife,” “The Back-up Plan,” “Santa Clarita Diet,” and most recently, “No Good Deed” on Netflix. The Tony Award-winning actress also made a significant impact on Broadway, with appearances in productions such as “Broadway Bound” (1987), “It’s a Bird … It’s a Plane … It’s Superman” (1966), “Last of the Red Hot Lovers” (1970), “The Diary of Anne Frank” (1998), “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife” (2001), “Collected Stories” (2010), and “The Lyons” (2012), among others.
Following the announcement of her death, several of her former co-stars paid tribute to her. Among them was “Seinfeld” star Jason Alexander, who played her son in “Broadway Bound.” He praised Lavin as generous, kind, and funny, and noted that her true range and ability were best displayed on stage. Lavin is survived by her husband, whom she married in 2005. Although she had no biological children, she reportedly remained active in the lives of her stepchildren from her second marriage.