Television has lost one of its most beloved and recognizable stars.
Polly Holliday, the actress who lit up screens as the quick-witted waitress Flo in the classic sitcom Alice, has passed away at the age of 88.
Her longtime agent and close friend, Dennis Aspland, confirmed the news to The New York Times.
Holliday died on Tuesday at her Manhattan home, just months after the passing of her Alice co-star Linda Lavin.
A Star Who Defined Sass and Charm
Holliday’s big break came in the late 1970s when she joined Alice as Florence Jean “Flo” Castleberry, a gum-snapping waitress whose sharp comebacks became the heartbeat of the show.
Fans couldn’t get enough of her now-legendary catchphrase: “Kiss my grits.”
Delivered in her signature Southern drawl, it was both sweet and biting—a line that became a pop-culture staple.
From Alice to Primetime Greatness
When Alice first debuted on CBS in 1976, it took some time to find its audience.
But by 1977, once it was paired with All in the Family on Sunday nights, it skyrocketed to success.
For several seasons, it ranked among television’s top 10 primetime shows.
Variety even included it on the list of all-time great workplace comedies.
For her performance, Holliday earned two Golden Globes back-to-back in 1979 and 1980 and picked up multiple Emmy nominations along the way.
A Passion Beyond Television
While TV made her a household name, Holliday’s heart always belonged to the stage.
She delivered a standout performance on Broadway in a revival of Tennessee Williams’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, earning a Tony Award nomination in
1990.
Speaking to The Tampa Bay Times in 1992, Holliday explained why theater was so important to her:
“An actor is unfortunate if he doesn’t get to spend a lot of time onstage.
When you’re onstage, you get to practice every night.”
Early Life and First Steps in the Arts
Polly Holliday’s talents shone from the very beginning.
At Childersburg High School in Alabama, she was voted “Most Talented” in her senior year.
She went on to study piano at Alabama College for Women (now the University of Montevallo) before furthering her education at Florida State University in music education.
Though she began her career teaching music, she soon found her way to the stage, taking part in university productions before fully pursuing acting.
A Legacy That Lives On
Holliday’s career spanned television, Broadway, and film, but it was her warmth, wit, and unforgettable portrayal of Flo that secured her place in entertainment history.
She leaves behind a legacy of laughter, resilience, and groundbreaking performances that shaped how audiences experienced comedy in the golden age of sitcoms.
Her passing marks the end of an era for fans who grew up with Alice and for anyone who ever cracked a smile at her cheeky but heartfelt one-liners.