Kiss My Grits! 'Alice' Star Polly Holliday Dies at 88

Polly Holliday, best known for her role as the spirited waitress Flo in the CBS sitcom Alice, has passed away at the age of 88. Holliday, famous for her catchphrase "Kiss my grits!", died Tuesday at her home in Manhattan, according to her theatrical agent and friend, Dennis Aspland.

A Career Spanning Stage and Screen

Born in Alabama, Holliday enjoyed a diverse career that included notable performances on Broadway and in film. In 1990, she received a Tony nomination for her portrayal of Big Mama in a revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. She also starred alongside Jean Stapleton in a revival of Arsenic and Old Lace.

Memorable Movie Roles

Holliday's film credits include a variety of roles, most notably as Ruby Deagle, the villainous widow in Gremlins (1984). She also appeared in W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings (1975), Moon Over Parador (1988), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Mr. Wrong (1996), The Parent Trap (1998), and The Heartbreak Kid (2007).

Flo: A TV Icon

Holliday achieved national recognition for her portrayal of Florence Jean Castleberry, or Flo, in Alice. She took over the role from Diane Ladd, who originated the character in the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. The series, starring Linda Lavin, centered around Mel's Diner, a greasy spoon on the outskirts of Phoenix.

After four seasons on Alice, Holliday departed in the 1979-80 season, reportedly due to tensions with Lavin. Her character was popular enough to warrant a spin-off show simply titled Flo.