Polly Holliday, the beloved actress best known as Flo on Alice and remembered for her sharp wit, award-winning performances, and unforgettable roles in films like Gremlins and Mrs. Doubtfire, has died at 88, leaving fans and colleagues grieving the loss of a cultural icon whose humor and heart defined generations.

Polly Holliday, the vibrant actress best remembered for her portrayal of the sassy, quick-witted waitress Florence Jean “Flo” Castleberry on the hit CBS sitcom Alice, has passed away at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy that spans decades of television, film, and stage.

Known for her sharp humor, undeniable presence, and ability to seamlessly transition from comedic roles to heartfelt performances, Holliday’s death marks the end of an era for fans who grew up watching her transform American sitcoms with her iconic catchphrase, “Kiss my grits!”

Born on July 2, 1937, in Jasper, Alabama, Polly Dean Holliday began her career as a schoolteacher before pursuing acting.

She trained extensively in theater and built a strong foundation on stage before moving to Hollywood, where she found her breakout role in 1976.

Cast as Flo on Alice, a sitcom based on the Martin Scorsese film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Holliday quickly became a fan favorite.

With her Southern charm, biting one-liners, and no-nonsense attitude, she not only elevated the show’s ratings but also became one of the most recognizable sitcom characters of the late 1970s.

Her performance earned her two Golden Globe Awards and four Emmy nominations, cementing her place among television royalty.

By 1980, Flo’s popularity had grown so massive that Holliday was given her own spin-off series, Flo, which ran for two seasons on CBS.

Though the show was short-lived, it showcased Holliday’s ability to command the screen on her own and further expanded her fanbase.

During press tours at the time, Holliday often spoke of the challenges of stepping out from under the shadow of Alice while still embracing the joy the character had brought to audiences.

“Flo is a part of me,” she once said, “but she’s not all of me.”

After her time on sitcoms, Holliday’s career flourished on the big screen.

She took on memorable supporting roles in films like Gremlins (1984), where she played the cranky neighbor Ruby Deagle, and Mrs.

Doubtfire (1993), opposite Robin Williams, as Mrs.

Sellner, the skeptical caseworker.

She also appeared in The Parent Trap (1998), starring Lindsay Lohan, showing her versatility as an actress who could balance comedy with heartfelt gravitas.

Each performance, no matter how small, carried her signature spark, making her characters unforgettable.

Television, however, remained her home turf.

In 1993, Holliday returned to primetime with a recurring role on the beloved ABC sitcom Home Improvement, playing Lillian Patterson, the mother-in-law of Tim Allen’s character.

On set, cast members recalled her warmth and professionalism, noting how she could light up the stage simply by walking into a scene.

Entertainment crews from the time remembered her as approachable and refreshingly down-to-earth, never allowing her fame to overshadow her natural humility.

Beyond her screen work, Holliday also had a rich stage career, performing in regional theaters and Broadway productions.

She starred in plays like A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, where she demonstrated a depth and range that critics praised as proof she was much more than a sitcom star.

Holliday herself often spoke about her love for theater, once saying, “On stage, every night is different.

It’s where an actor’s soul comes alive.”

In her later years, Holliday lived quietly, rarely seeking the spotlight but always cherished by fans and colleagues alike.

Tributes began pouring in as news of her passing broke.

Fellow actors described her as a pioneer for women in comedy, a trailblazer who carved out a space in Hollywood for strong, unapologetic female voices.

Fans took to social media to share clips of her most iconic moments, particularly Flo’s unforgettable sass, proof that Holliday’s humor and charm still resonate across generations.

Though she never married or had children, Holliday often considered her work and the characters she brought to life as her legacy.

Her ability to make audiences laugh, cry, and connect remains unmatched, and her contributions to television history are indelible.

Polly Holliday’s death at 88 is not just the loss of a talented actress but the passing of a cultural icon whose performances shaped American entertainment for nearly half a century.

From the greasy spoon of Alice’s diner to the silver screen’s most beloved family comedies, she left an imprint that will live on in reruns, movie nights, and the hearts of millions who adored her.

Her catchphrase may have been Flo’s, but the sentiment now feels fitting: “Kiss my grits.” Goodbye, Polly.

You will be missed, but never forgotten.