Acclaimed actress Linda Lavin, best known for her portrayal of Alice Hyatt in the hit sitcom "Alice," passed away at the age of 87 due to cardiopulmonary arrest stemming from lung cancer, as confirmed by her death certificate. Lavin's recent lung cancer diagnosis preceded her passing on December 29th.

In the weeks prior to her death, Lavin remained actively involved in her career, attending the Los Angeles premiere of the Netflix series "No Good Deed" in early December, in which she had a role. Medical records indicate she also underwent a bronchoscopy shortly before her passing, a procedure used to examine the lung's airways.

Lavin's journey to stardom began after her college graduation, when she relocated to New York and landed a role in the Broadway musical "It's a Bird ... It's a Plane ... It's Superman." Her talent shone brightly, earning her a Tony Award nomination in 1969 for her performance in "Last of the Red Hot Lovers."

Transitioning to Los Angeles in the 1970s, Lavin graced the television screen with appearances in shows like "Rhoda" and "Barney Miller." Her breakthrough role came in 1976 as Alice Hyatt in the sitcom "Alice," inspired by Ellen Burstyn's Academy Award-winning film "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore." The series, centered around a widowed single mother working at a diner, ran successfully until 1985.

Following "Alice," Lavin returned to her Broadway roots, starring in productions like "Gypsy" and, more recently, "Our Mother’s Brief Affair." Her career continued to flourish in Hollywood with roles in various television shows, including "Courage the Cowardly Dog," "The O.C.," "Santa Clarita Diet," "Mom," and "The Good Wife." She also appeared in films such as "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules" and "The Back-up Plan."

In her final year, Lavin made an appearance on the police procedural "Elsbeth" and featured in the movie "One Big Happy Family," demonstrating her enduring passion for acting until the very end.