The entertainment world is in mourning following the announcement of the passing of Polly Holliday, the formidable American actress best known for her scene-stealing role as the sassy waitress Flo Evans in the beloved CBS sitcom Alice. She was 82.
Holliday's manager, Bryn Rand, confirmed the sad news to the press, revealing the acclaimed star died on Friday, July 26th, while in hospice care in her home city of Edina, Minnesota. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
While a talented stage actress, it was television that made Polly Holliday a household name. For four seasons, she immortalised the character of Florence Jean 'Flo' Castleberry, the wise-cracking, man-hungry waitress at Mel's Diner. With her towering beehive hairdo and unapologetic attitude, she became an instant fan favourite.
Her performance was defined by Flo's legendary and endlessly quotable catchphrase, a defiant retort she would deliver with a Southern drawl: 'Kiss my grits!'. The line became a cultural phenomenon, printed on t-shirts and echoed in school playgrounds across America throughout the late 1970s and early 80s.
Such was the popularity of her character that it spawned its own spin-off series, Flo, which ran for two seasons. Holliday's prowess was recognised with two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on Alice.
Beyond the diner, Holliday enjoyed a long and varied career. She appeared in numerous films, including Mike Nichols' The Birdcage and alongside Gwyneth Paltrow in Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle. She also had memorable recurring roles on hit shows like Home Improvement and Matlock.
Born in 1937 in Jasper, Alabama, Holliday's journey to stardom began on the stage. She was a respected member of the American theatre community for decades, delivering powerful performances on and off-Broadway.
Polly Holliday is survived by her sister, Phyllis, and a legion of fans who will forever remember the bold, brash, and brilliant waitress who wasn't afraid to tell you exactly where to go.
