Polly Holliday, ‘Alice’ Actress Famous for Flo, Dies at 88

Polly Holliday, the actress who made television history as the wisecracking waitress Flo on CBS’s sitcom Alice, has died at the age of 88. She passed away Tuesday at her home in Manhattan, confirmed by her longtime agent and friend, Dennis Aspland.

Her death comes less than a year after Linda Lavin, who played Alice, also passed away. Together, the two women helped shape one of the most memorable TV ensembles of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Holliday’s legacy, however, stretched far beyond her iconic “Kiss my grits” catchphrase. She built a decades-long career on stage, screen, and film that showcased her versatility and humor.

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A TV Role That Defined an Era

Flo Castleberry, Holliday’s gum-chewing Southern waitress, became a household name almost overnight. With her teased red wig, brash humor, and unapologetic flirtation, Flo was unlike any other character on television at the time.

Her quick wit and biting comebacks made her one of the show’s most beloved personalities. “Kiss my grits,” delivered with sugary sweetness and just a hint of venom, became a pop-culture phenomenon.

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Holliday’s performance earned her back-to-back Golden Globe Awards in 1979 and 1980, as well as multiple Emmy nominations.

Beyond ‘Alice’ and Into Film

Though Alice made her famous, Holliday refused to be boxed into one role. She appeared in the 1984 cult classic Gremlins, playing Mrs. Deagle, a greedy and mean-spirited widow who meets a comically dark end.

Audiences also loved her in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), where she starred as Robin Williams and Sally Field’s nosy neighbor. Later, she appeared in The Parent Trap (1998) as the camp director, cementing her status with a younger generation of moviegoers.

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From All the President’s Men to Moon Over Parador, Holliday’s ability to shift between drama and comedy made her a favorite character actress for filmmakers.

A Distinguished Stage Career

For Holliday, theater was always home. After graduating from Alabama College for Women and spending years with Florida’s Asolo Repertory Theater, she honed her craft in Shakespeare, Chekhov, and Tennessee Williams.

Her Broadway career took off in the 1970s. She earned a Tony Award nomination for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 1990, where critics praised her as a commanding “Big Mama.”

She continued performing in classics like Arsenic and Old Lace, Picnic, and The Glass Menagerie, proving her dramatic chops matched her comedic timing.

From Alabama Roots to Hollywood Success

Born in 1937 in Jasper, Alabama, Holliday grew up in the small town of Childersburg. Early on, she studied piano before gravitating toward theater, eventually leaving teaching behind for the stage.

Her big break came when she joined the Public Theater in New York in 1972, appearing alongside Ruby Dee in Wedding Band. The production later led to her television debut.

By the mid-1970s, Holliday had already made her Broadway debut, setting the stage for her rise as Flo on Alice and her career in Hollywood.

Spin-offs, Sitcoms, and Guest Appearances

Holliday’s success on Alice led to her own spinoff, Flo, where her character bought and ran a Texas roadhouse bar. While the series lasted only one season, it reinforced her popularity with fans.

Over the years, she guest-starred on popular series like The Golden Girls, The Equalizer, Homicide: Life on the Street, and Home Improvement. On the latter, she played Tim Allen’s quick-witted mother-in-law.

Her television résumé spanned genres, from soap operas to dramas, sitcoms, and miniseries, proving her range across the small screen.

Later Years and Legacy

Holliday’s final film role was in 2010’s Fair Game, where she portrayed the mother of CIA operative Valerie Plame. Even late in her career, she delivered memorable performances that resonated with audiences.

She left no immediate survivors, but her influence lives on through her work and her unforgettable characters. Her “Kiss my grits” line, though not authentically Southern, became a Hollywood staple.

Reflecting on Flo years later, Holliday said she admired her character’s resilience. “She was a Southern woman you see in a lot of places. Not well educated, but very sharp, with a sense of humor and a resolve not to let life get her down.”

FAQs

What was Polly Holliday’s most famous role?
She was best known for playing Flo on the sitcom Alice.

Did Polly Holliday win awards?
Yes. She won two Golden Globes and earned multiple Emmy nominations for her role in Alice.

Was she involved in theater?
Absolutely. Holliday had a long stage career, including a Tony nomination for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

What movies did she appear in?
Her film credits include Gremlins, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Parent Trap, and Fair Game.

Did she have a spinoff series?
Yes. She starred in Flo, a short-lived spinoff of Alice.

Last Thought

Polly Holliday’s career spanned television, film, and theater, leaving behind a rich legacy of laughter, drama, and unforgettable characters.

From Flo’s sass at Mel’s Diner to her acclaimed Broadway performances, she proved herself one of the most adaptable actresses of her generation.

Her passing marks the end of an era, but her voice, humor, and iconic “Kiss my grits” will remain part of American pop culture forever.