Linda Lavin Biography

Fast Facts

• Reputed as a committed member of the community after helping rehabilitate impoverished neighborhoods, donating a park, and building a community theater in Wilmington, N․C
• Graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in theatre
• Lavin married actor, artist, musician Steve Bakunas in 2005
• Following her debut at age five in a theatre production of "Alice In Wonderland," Lavin learned from her stage mother over the years before majoring in theatre arts at William and Mary College
• Quote: "I discovered that the character [Alice] represented 80 percent of the working women in this country, the blue-collar and pink-collar women․ Hundreds of women have come up to me and said, 'It was because of watching Alice that I could get through another day with the baby in the high chair․ I knew if she could do it, I could do it, too․ I could go back to school, I could get off welfare, and I could change my life․'"
• Recognized for her award-winning portrayal of "Alice" in the sitcom that aired in the '70s and '80s, Lavin also performed in theater, receiving several awards and nominations
• Appeared in cabaret and concert performances, receiving rave reviews from critics