Linda Lavin, known for her role as Alice on the hit TV show "Alice's Restaurant," has passed away at the age of 87.

Linda Lavin, a celebrated actress who starred in the popular sitcom "Alice," has passed away at the age of 87.

On Sunday, Lavin, who had recently been diagnosed with lung cancer, passed away due to complications from the disease, a representative informed the Associated Press.

In the weeks leading up to her death, she was active and made an appearance at the Los Angeles premiere of the Netflix series "No Good Deed," where she starred.

From a young age, Lavin knew she was meant for a career in acting and moved to New York City after college. Her first major role was in the Broadway musical "It's a Bird ... It's a Plane ... It's Superman," which provided her with her first big break.

In 1969, she received her first Tony nomination for her role in "Last of the Red Hot Lovers."

In the 70s, she relocated to Los Angeles and started securing TV acting roles. She made an appearance in an episode of "Rhoda" before later obtaining a minor role in "Barney Miller."

In 1976, she was cast in a new CBS sitcom based on Ellen Burstyn's Oscar-winning waitress comedy-drama, "Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore."

Alice Hyatt, a widowed mother with a 12-year-old son, became a role model for working moms as she worked in a roadside diner outside Phoenix. The show, with Lavin singing the theme song "There's a New Girl in Town," ran from 1976 to 1985.

Mel's Diner featured the show "Kiss my grits," with Polly Holliday as waitress Flo and Vic Tayback as the owner and head chef.

Despite fluctuating on CBS's schedule during its first two seasons, the show eventually gained popularity and aired alongside "All in the Family" on Sunday nights in October 1977. It consistently ranked among the top 10 prime-time series in the following four seasons. Variety magazine recognized it as one of the greatest workplace comedies of all time.

Lavin continued working in Hollywood after "Alice" ended, but she later returned to Broadway for a brief stint. In 1987, she received a Tony Award for best actress for her role in Neil Simon's "Broadway Bound."

In the years after her success on "Alice," she played several roles on stage, including a part in "Gypsy" in 1990 and most recently in "Our Mother's Brief Affair" in 2016.

Lavin continued working until her death. This year, she appeared in an episode of "Elsbeth" and did voice work for an episode of "Bob's Burgers" last year.

She is survived by her husband, Steve Bakunas.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.