Linda Lavin was born in Portland, Maine, to a family with a strong musical background. Her mother was an opera singer, and Linda began performing on stage at the age of five. She graduated from The College of William and Mary with a degree in theater.
After college, Linda moved to New York City to pursue a career in musical comedy. She started out with small roles in productions such as "Oh, Kay!" and "A Family Affair," and eventually landed a part in the Broadway production of "On a Clear Day, You Can See Forever." She also appeared in the Off-Broadway production of "Story Theater" and won a Drama Desk award for her performance in "Little Murders."
In the 1970s, Linda began to make a name for herself on television. She appeared in a small-screen version of "Damn Yankees!" and had a recurring role on the sitcom "Barney Miller." However, it was her starring role as the titular character in the sitcom "Alice" that brought her widespread recognition. The show, which was based on the film "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," ran for nine seasons and earned Linda two Golden Globe awards and an Emmy nomination.
After "Alice" ended its run, Linda returned to the stage, earning critical acclaim for her performances in productions such as "Broadway Bound," "Death Defying Acts," and "The Diary of Anne Frank." She also appeared in several television shows, including "The Sopranos," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," and "Madame Secretary."
In recent years, Linda has continued to work in both television and theater. She has appeared in productions such as "Collected Stories" and "Hollywood Arms," and has had recurring roles on shows such as "Sean Saves the World" and "9JKL." She has also been married three times, to actors Ron Leibman and Kip Niven, and to artist and musician Steve Bakunas.
