TV Icon Polly Holliday, Known for Her Role as Flo, Dies at Age 88

Veteran actress Polly Dean Holliday, best known for her sharp-tongued waitress Flo on the beloved sitcom Alice, has died at 88. Her passing was confirmed by her longtime friend and agent. Holliday died on September 9, 2025, at her home in New York City following years of health issues, with pneumonia understood to have been a contributing factor.

Early Life & Path to the Stage

Holliday was born on July 2, 1937, in Jasper, Alabama. She studied piano in college and initially worked as a music teacher before turning to acting. Her early career included performances in repertory and summer theater, experiences that helped shape her dramatic and comedic range.

Breakout with Alice and “Flo”

Polly Holliday’s defining role came in Alice (1976–1980) playing Florence Jean “Flo” Castleberry. Her portrayal captured audiences with wit, sass, and a memorable Southern drawl. The character’s catchphrase, “Kiss my grits!”, became a piece of pop culture history.

Flo was so popular that she spun off into her own series, Flo, which aired in 1980–81. Despite strong initial ratings, the show only lasted one season, but it further cemented Holliday’s place in television history.

Other Key Roles & Acclaim

Holliday’s career extended far beyond Alice. She earned multiple Emmy nominations and won Golden Globe Awards for her work.

Her film credits included memorable roles in Gremlins, Mrs. Doubtfire, and The Parent Trap. On television, she made appearances in The Golden Girls, Home Improvement, and The Client. On stage, she was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Personality, Legacy, and Final Years

Though Flo was brassy, Holliday herself was remembered as thoughtful, modest, and deeply dedicated to her craft. She once reflected that playing Flo helped her reconnect with her Southern roots.

She never married nor had children, often stating that her work was central to her life. With her passing, she becomes the last surviving member of the original principal cast of Alice.

In Memoriam

Polly Holliday’s distinctive presence and voice left a lasting imprint on television history. Flo Castleberry remains one of the most iconic fictional waitresses in American sitcoms, quoted and remembered decades after Alice first aired.

Her death marks the end of an era, but her performances continue to entertain and inspire generations of viewers.