Polly Holliday, the beloved actress known for her iconic role as Flo on the CBS sitcom ‘Alice,’ has passed away at the age of 88, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in television and theater.
Polly Holliday, Beloved Actress and Iconic Waitress Flo from ‘Alice,’ Passes Away at 88
Polly Holliday, the Alabama-born actress renowned for her catchphrase “Kiss my grits!” as the spirited waitress Flo on the CBS sitcom Alice and its spinoff, has passed away at the age of 88.
Holliday died on Tuesday at her home in Manhattan, as confirmed by her theatrical agent and friend, Dennis Aspland, to The New York Times.
A Stage and Screen Star
In 1990, Holliday earned a Tony nomination for her portrayal of Big Mama in a revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Just four years prior, she starred alongside Jean Stapleton in a Broadway revival of Arsenic and Old Lace.
On the big screen, Holliday is remembered for her role as Ruby Deagle, the wealthy widow who meets a grim fate in Joe Dante’s Gremlins (1984). Her filmography also includes appearances in W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings (1975), Moon Over Parador (1988), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Mr. Wrong (1996), The Parent Trap (1998), and the Farrelly brothers’ remake of The Heartbreak Kid (2007).
Rise to Fame on ‘Alice’
Sporting a distinctive bouffant red wig, Holliday gained national recognition on Alice, a character originally portrayed by Diane Ladd in the 1974 film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, directed by Martin Scorsese. The series debuted in August 1976, featuring Linda Lavin, and was set in the iconic Mel’s Diner.
Holliday portrayed Florence Jean Castleberry for four seasons but departed during the 1979-80 season finale, with her character leaving Mel’s for a hostess position at a fancy restaurant in Houston.
“People assumed that because Flo was very big, that Linda must have had her nose out of joint,” Holliday remarked in a 1980 interview with People magazine. “Well, Linda’s a bigger person than that.”
The Spinoff and Legacy
When her spinoff aired in March 1980, Ms. Castleberry had become the owner of a roadhouse in Cowtown, Texas, having impulsively purchased it on her way to Houston. Unfortunately, the show was canceled after two seasons, while Alice continued until 1985.
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Holliday received Golden Globe awards in 1979 and 1980 for her role as Flo, along with four Emmy nominations.
Born on July 2, 1937, in Jasper, Alabama, Holliday was raised by her mother Velma, a housewife, and her father Ernest, a trucker. She often accompanied him during summer vacations, where she encountered waitresses like Flo, who brightened the day with humor.
After studying at Alabama College for Women and Florida State, Holliday transitioned to acting in the 1960s, eventually making her Broadway debut in All Over Town in 1974.
Holliday’s portrayal of Flo was deeply rooted in her understanding of Southern women, as she described in a 2003 interview, highlighting their resilience and humor.
In her later years, Holliday made guest appearances on shows like Private Benjamin, Home Improvement, and The Golden Girls, where she played Rose’s blind sister, Lily. She leaves behind a legacy that will be cherished by fans.
Reflecting on her famous catchphrase, Holliday once called it “pure Hollywood,” adding that she often smiled when fans asked her to repeat it, saying, “Oh, I’m sure you could do it better.”
