AceShowbiz - Linda Lavin, the Tony-winning actress known for her role as Alice Hyatt on the CBS sitcom "Alice" and her performance in Neil Simon's play "Broadway Bound", died on Sunday, December 29 at the age of 87. Lavin died unexpectedly in Los Angeles after recently being diagnosed with lung cancer, her representative confirmed.

Lavin's career spanned six decades and included television, film and stage work. She earned six Tony nominations throughout her career, winning for her role as Kate in "Broadway Bound" in 1987. She also received two Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy nomination for her work on "Alice".

After her Broadway debut in 1962, Lavin's television debut in "The Doctors and the Nurses" came a year later. Following her role as Det. Janice Wentworth on ABC's "Barney Miller" from 1975-1976, she landed the lead role in "Alice", which ran for nine seasons and 202 episodes.

Lavin remained active in television and film in recent years, appearing on shows such as "B Positive", "9JKL" and "Brockmire", as well as the Hulu comedy series "Mid-Century Modern", which she was filming at the time of her death. She also had roles in films such as "The Intern", "How to Be a Latin Lover" and "Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase".

Lavin was married three times, first to actor Ron Leibman from 1969-1981, then to actor Kip Niven from 1982-1992. She was survived by her third husband, drummer and artist Steve Bakunas, whom she married in 2005.