‘Alice’ Sitcom star Linda Lavin has died of cancer at the age of 87

Linda Lavin – best known for her starring role in the 1970s TV sitcom “Alice” – has died, TMZ has confirmed.

The actress died Sunday in Los Angeles from complications of lung cancer, which she was recently diagnosed with, her representatives said.

Lavin began her career on Broadway in the late 1960s before moving west to Hollywood in the 1970s.

In 1976, Lavin was cast in the title role of Alice Hyatt in the CBS show ‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’, based on the series Martin Scorsese-directed film about a widow who works as a waitress at Mel’s Diner in Phoenix, Arizona, to support her young son.

The sitcom’s title was later shortened to “Alice” as Lavin’s character became a symbol for all working mothers, with the hit show starting and ending in 1985. The role earned Lavin two Golden Globe awards and was nominated for an Emmy.

Lavin also starred in another popular ’70s sitcom – “Barney Miller” – and several Neil Simon Broadway plays, namely ‘Last of the Red Hot Lovers’ and ‘Broadway Bound’. She was nominated for six Tony Awards, but only took home the trophy once for “Broadway Bound.”

Lavin was 87.