Linda Lavin
Birth Place: Portland, ME, USA
MAC to School 2025: 10th Anniversary Weekend of Artistry, Community, & Song (Feb 27, 2026)
Linda Eder, Kate Baldwin, Jenn Colella and More to Perform at 54 Below for Women's History Month (Feb 27, 2026)
Photos: Sarasota Jewish Theatre Presents THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST'S WIFE (Feb 19, 2026)
BIO
Linda Lavin began her stage career in the late 1950s, appearing in productions such as The Common Glory (1958) and performing with the Compass Players. In 1960 she appeared in George Gershwin’s Oh, Kay! at the East 74th Street Theater. She made early Broadway appearances in A Family Affair (1962), The Riot Act (1963), and Something Different (1967). Her Off-Broadway work included Wet Paint (1965), The Mad Show (1966), and Little Murders (1969). In 1966 she appeared in the Broadway musical It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman. She received a Tony Award nomination for her role in Neil Simon’s Last of the Red Hot Lovers (1969) and appeared in Story Theatre (1971).
Lavin continued working in theater throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including The Comedy of Errors at Shakespeare in the Park (1975) and Six Characters in Search of an Author at the American Repertory Theatre (1984). She returned to Broadway in Broadway Bound (1987), winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. She later starred as Mama Rose in Gypsy (1990) and appeared in The Sisters Rosensweig (1993) and The Diary of Anne Frank (1997–1998), receiving a Tony Award nomination for the latter. Additional stage work included Death-Defying Acts (1995), The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife (2000–2001), and Hollywood Arms (2002). She later appeared in Collected Stories (2010), Other Desert Cities (2010–2011), the Kennedy Center production of Follies (2011), The Lyons (Off-Broadway 2011; Broadway 2012), Too Much Sun (2014), Our Mother’s Brief Affair (2015–2016), and New York City Opera’s production of Candide (2017).
On television, Lavin appeared in the television version of Damn Yankees (1967) and had guest roles on series including The Nurses, Rhoda, Harry O, and Kaz. She had a recurring role as Detective Janice Wentworth on Barney Miller (1975–1976) before starring as Alice Hyatt in the CBS sitcom Alice (1976–1985), for which she won two Golden Globe Awards and received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. She later starred in the sitcoms Room for Two (1992–1993) and Conrad Bloom (1998), and made guest appearances on series including The Muppet Show (1979), Touched by an Angel (1999), The Sopranos (2002), Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and The O.C.. Later television roles included Sean Saves the World (2013–2014), Bones (2015), 9JKL (2017–2018), Santa Clarita Diet (2019), and B Positive (2020–2022). In 2024 she appeared in the Hulu series Mid-Century Modern.
Lavin’s film work began with The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984). Additional film credits include See You in the Morning (1989), I Want to Go Home (1989), and The Back-up Plan (2010). She also appeared in numerous television films between 1967 and 1998 and directed the telefilm Flour Babies (1990). In addition to acting, she directed theater productions and taught acting and singing master classes.
Photos
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STAGE CREDITS
Awards and Nominations
Linda Lavin, You Will Get Sick
winner
Linda Lavin
winner
Linda Lavin
Linda Lavin, The Lyons
Linda Lavin, The Lyons
winner
Linda Lavin, The Lyons
winner
Linda Lavin, The Lyons
Linda Lavin, The Lyons
Linda Lavin, The Lyons
Linda Lavin, Other Desert Cities
Linda Lavin, Other Desert Cities
Linda Lavin, Other Desert Citites
Linda Lavin, Collected Stories
winner
Linda Lavin, The New Century
Linda Lavin, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife
winner
Linda Lavin, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife
winner
Linda Lavin, The Diary of Anne Frank
Linda Lavin , The Diary of Anne Frank
Linda Lavin, The Diary of Anne Frank
Linda Lavin, The Diary of Anne Frank
Linda Lavin, Death Defying Acts
winner
Linda Lavin, Death Defying Acts
winner
Linda Lavin, Death Defying Acts
winner
Linda LavinBroadway Bound
winner
Linda Lavin, Broadway Bound
winner
Linda Lavin , Broadway Bound
Linda Lavin, Last of the Red Hot Lovers
winner
Linda Lavin, Little Murders
winner
Linda LavinCop-Out
winner
Linda Lavin, Little Murders
winner
Linda Lavin, Wet Paint
Videos
Video: Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close & More in New Trailer for Ryan Murphy's ALL FAIR
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-10-09 16:30:18
Video: Sam Pinkleton Reacts to Tony Win for Best Director of a Play
by Joey Mervis - 2025-06-09 00:08:35
Video: Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close & More Star in Teaser for Ryan Murphy's ALL FAIR
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-14 10:50:40
Video: Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, and Nathan Lee Graham Sing CHICAGO in MID-CENTURY MODERN Clip
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-06 10:29:00
Video: Watch MID-CENTURY MODERN Bloopers with Nathan Lane, Linda Lavin & More
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-05 12:56:56
Exclusive: MID-CENTURY MODERN Stars Reveal Their Characters' Favorite Broadway Musicals
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-03-28 12:51:10
Video: Nathan Lane Previews MID-CENTURY MODERN on THE LATE SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-03-12 10:22:45
Video: Annaleigh Ashford Talks Finally Letting Her Son See SWEENEY TODD
by Stephi Wild - 2025-03-07 08:52:59
VIDEO: Watch Highlights from RHONY's Luann de Lesseps' A VERY COUNTESS CHRISTMAS
by Nicole Rosky - 2021-12-03 14:31:22
VIDEO: Watch Annaleigh Ashford Perform the Opening Sequence of B POSITIVE
by Michael Major - 2021-10-27 13:33:42
VIDEO: Linda Lavin Chats With CBS SUNDAY MORNING About Advocating For Herself, and Being Busier Than She's Ever Been
by Stephi Wild - 2020-08-02 11:13:43
VIDEO: Linda Lavin Asks Patrons to Donate to MTC in Honor of #GivingTuesdayNow
by Stephi Wild - 2020-05-05 07:46:36
VIDEO: Jim Caruso's PAJAMA CAST PARTY Returns Tonight at 8pm - Watch Live Here!
by Stephi Wild - 2020-04-27 09:44:24
VIDEO: Andrea McArdle, Kerry Butler, Christopher Jackson & More Unite to Sing 'Tomorrow'
by Nicole Rosky - 2020-04-24 12:00:45
VIDEO: Linda Lavin and Billy Stritch Perform Second Hump Day Concert Live on Facebook
by Stephi Wild - 2020-03-26 07:11:30
VIDEO: Linda Lavin Joins Billy Stritch for a Casual Living Room Concert!
by Nicole Rosky - 2020-03-18 17:24:07
TV: Watch Highlights of Charles Busch, Linda Lavin & More in TALE OF THE ALLERGIST'S WIFE Benefit reading
by Nicole Rosky - 2019-12-19 12:25:30
News
by Chloe Yang - Feb 27, 2026
MAC to School 2025, MAC's 10th annual educational symposium, took place 9/27–28 in NYC. The two-day event featured master classes, panels, and showcases. MAC's 40th Annual Awards follow at Symphony Space on March 23, 2026.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2026
Next month, 54 Below will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond for Women's History Month, including Linda Eder, Kate Baldwin, Jenn Colella and more.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 19, 2026
“The Tale of the Allergist's Wife” by Charles Busch, is on stage at Sarasota Jewish Theatre from March 4 to 15. Check out photos of the production below.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 14, 2026
JIM CARUSO'S CAST PARTY, the acclaimed open mic night, returns to Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood on February 18, featuring host Jim Caruso and pianist Billy Stritch.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 11, 2026
Tony Award winner Laura Benanti will join forces with her mother, Linda Benanti, for a special performance of MOTHERS KNOW BEST at Westport Country Playhouse on February 28.
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 7, 2026
It's time to meet Broadway's best on The Muppet Show tonight! With the new special now streaming, we have rounded up some of the best of Broadway talent during the show's original run.
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 7, 2026
BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Tony Award-nominee Marcia Rodd, who originated the role of Bobbi in Neil Simon's Last of the Red Hot Lovers, passed away on December 27, 2025, at the age of 87.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 24, 2025
54 BELOW will celebrate the happiest time of the year with an incredible lineup of performances by Tony winner Christine Ebersole with Billy Stritch, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” star Darius de Haas, and more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 11, 2025
JM Productions of Quincy, MA will welcome back three powerhouse New York City performers, Klea Blackhurst, Jim Caruso, and Billy Stritch, for an encore performance of their holiday celebration, 'A Swinging Christmas'. Learn more!
by Steve Murray - Oct 10, 2025
Billy Stricht made his Feinstein’s at the Nikko solo debut an auspicious evening, stepping into center stage, commanding the Yamaha keys, and mesmerizing his fans with a nearly two-hour set of two dozen musical gems.
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 9, 2025
Hulu has dropped a new trailer for All's Fair, the new legal drama series from TV guru Ryan Murphy. The trailer for the highly anticipated series showcases the all-star cast led by Kim Kardashian and Naomi Watts, along with Broadway alums Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close, and Judith Light.Watch it now.
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 29, 2025
Hulu has cancelled Mid-Century Modern after one season. The sitcom, which starred Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, and Nathan Lee Graham, premiered in March of this year and ran for ten episodes.
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 10, 2025
BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Tony nominee Polly Holliday, best known as Flo the waitress in the 1970s sitcom Alice, has passed away at the age of 88.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 5, 2025
Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including TikTok's Paloma Diamond, and more. See the full lineup here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 29, 2025
Next month, 54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Paloma Diamond, Chester Gregory, and many more! See the full lineup here.
by Stephi Wild - Aug 28, 2025
Jim Caruso & Matt Baker will hold court at Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle Hotel for the fourteenth year, entertaining with their evening of swinging standards on Sunday nights from 9pm to midnight.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 1, 2025
Foster Cat Productions will take audiences on a nostalgic flight this August with a rare staging of It’s a Bird... It’s a Plane... It’s Superman!, the campy cult musical from the creators of Annie and Bye Bye Birdie.
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 15, 2025
Brenda Pressley will take her first bow as Claudine Jasper in the Tony Award-winning Broadway production of PURPOSE tomorrow, Tuesday, July 15. Pressley will appear in the role through the conclusion of the production’s run on August 31. A photo of Pressley in character has been released ahead of her debut.
by Josh Sharpe - Jul 8, 2025
Cole Escola, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and more have been recognized for their work at GALECA's 16th Dorian TV Awards. Take a look at the full list of winners here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 1, 2025
You can now check out photos from the 14th Annual Off-Broadway Alliance Awards. Learn more about the awards, hosted by an organization of Off-Broadway producers, theaters, general managers, press agents, and marketing professionals.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Linda Lavin has appeared on Broadway in 17 shows.
Linda Lavin has not appeared in the West End.
Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for You Will Get Sick, Legend of Off Broadway Honoree (), Legend of off-Broadway Honoree () for , Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Lyons, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Lyons, Performance (Obie Awards) for The Lyons, Performance (Obie Awards) for The Lyons, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Lyons, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Lyons, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Other Desert Cities, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Other Desert Cities , Outstanding Featured Actress (The Lortels) for Other Desert Citites, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Collected Stories, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The New Century, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, Outstanding Featured Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Diary of Anne Frank, Best Featured Actress - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Diary of Anne Frank , Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Diary of Anne Frank, Outstanding Featured Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Diary of Anne Frank, Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Death Defying Acts, Performance (Obie Awards) for Death Defying Acts, Outstanding Lead Actress (The Lortels) for Death Defying Acts, Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Broadway Bound, Best Actress (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Broadway Bound, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Broadway Bound, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Little Murders, Best Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Cop-Out, Best Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Little Murders and Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Wet Paint.
Linda Lavin has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. She was named a Legend of Off Broadway Honoree twice. She won Obie Awards for her performances in The Lyons (twice) and Death Defying Acts. Lavin earned Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play for The New Century, Outstanding Actress in a Play for The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play for The Diary of Anne Frank, and Outstanding Performance for Little Murders. She also won The Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for Death Defying Acts. Her Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production, was for Broadway Bound, where she also won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Actress and the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play. Additionally, she received the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Performance for both Little Murders and Cop-Out, as well as the Theatre World Award for her performance in Wet Paint.
Videos