Polly Holliday – The Woman : The world of television and theater lost a true icon with the passing of Polly Holliday at the age of 86. For millions, she will forever be remembered as the sassy, wise-cracking waitress Flo Evans, who famously told the world to “Kiss my grits!” on the hit CBS sitcom Alice. But to define Holliday by that single, albeit legendary, role is to overlook the depth and breadth of a spectacular career that spanned decades on both screen and stage. She was a character actress of the highest order, a Broadway star, and a woman who brought immense warmth and intelligence to every part she played.
This is a tribute to the incredible life and legacy of Polly Holliday.
From Deep South Roots to the Bright Lights of Broadway – Polly Holliday
Born in Jasper, Alabama, on July 2, 1937, Polly Dean Holliday’s southern upbringing would later become the wellspring for her most famous character. She discovered a love for performance early on, pursuing her passion at Alabama College (now the University of Montevallo) and later at The Actor’s Studio in New York City. Unlike many actors who rush to Hollywood, Holliday paid her dues in the theater, honing her craft in regional productions and off-Broadway plays.
Her big break came not in television, but on the stage. She was a founding member of the acclaimed Circle Repertory Company in New York, a breeding ground for serious acting talent. It was here that she developed the chops that would make her a star. Her dedication to the craft was evident in every role, a quality that never left her.
Her perseverance paid off with a major role in the 1976 Broadway production of All Over Town by Murray Schisgal, directed by the legendary Dustin Hoffman. But it was a tiny, three-line role in a television pilot that would unexpectedly change her life forever.
The Role of a Lifetime : How Flo Castleberry Stole the Show – Polly Holliday
The show was Alice, a sitcom based on the Martin Scorsese film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Starring Linda Lavin as a widowed waitress trying to make it, the show was set in a roadside diner in Phoenix. Holliday was initially cast in the pilot in a different, minor role. However, the producers created a new character—Flo Castleberry—specifically for her, inspired by her scene-stealing presence.
With her big hair, bigger personality, and a bottomless supply of sarcastic one-liners, Flo was an instant sensation. “Kiss my grits!” and “When donkeys fly!” entered the cultural lexicon overnight. Holliday didn’t just play a southern waitress; she created a fully realized, fiercely independent, and hilospitably funny woman who resonated with audiences across America. For four seasons, she was the breakout star of the show, winning two Golden Globe nominations and one Emmy nomination.
So immense was her popularity that it led to her own spin-off series, Flo, which ran from 1980-1981. While the show itself was short-lived, it was a testament to the power of the character Holliday had created.
Beyond the Diner : A Prolific and Versatile Career – Polly Holliday
To assume Polly Holliday’s career ended with Flo is a grave mistake. She possessed a remarkable range that allowed her to transition seamlessly from broad comedy to intense drama.
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Film Work: She appeared in Mike Nichols’ The Day of the Dolphin (1973), the classic comedy All the President’s Men (1976), and Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). She shone as the mother in the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, bringing a warm, grounded presence to the beloved family film.
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Television Star: After Flo, she remained a constant presence on TV. She had a memorable recurring role on Cheers as the mother of Kirstie Alley’s Rebecca Howe. She appeared in everything from Murder, She Wrote and Home Improvement to The X-Files and ER.
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A Stage Legend: Holliday never abandoned her first love, the theater. She returned to Broadway to critical acclaim, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her powerful performance in Marsha Norman’s “‘night, Mother” opposite Kathy Bates. She also starred in a triumphant revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof as the formidable “Big Mama,” a role she was born to play.
This versatility is the hallmark of a truly great actor—one who refuses to be typecast and continually seeks out challenging new roles.
A Private Life and an Enduring Legacy – Polly Holliday
Polly Holliday was famously private about her personal life, never marrying or having children. She was dedicated to her art, her friends, and her family. In her later years, she stepped back from acting, living a quiet life away from the Hollywood spotlight.
News of her passing was met with an outpouring of love and respect from co-stars and fans alike. Maggie Wheeler, who played her daughter in The Parent Trap, shared a sweet behind-the-scenes story about Holliday’s kindness and professionalism on set, a sentiment echoed by everyone who worked with her.
Polly Holliday’s legacy is multifaceted. She is an icon of 1970s television, a reminder of a time when character actors could become household names based on pure talent and charisma. She is a role model for actors, demonstrating that a successful career can be built on a foundation of serious stage work. And most importantly, she brought joy, laughter, and a touch of southern sass to millions.
She was Flo, but she was also so much more. She was a master of her craft, and her work will continue to be celebrated for generations to come. You can explore her extensive filmography on IMDb or learn more about her acclaimed stage career at the Internet Broadway Database. For a deeper look into the golden age of television she helped define, the Museum of Broadcast Communications is an invaluable resource.
So the next time you feel like serving up a sharp retort, remember the woman who made it an art form. Kiss our grits, Polly Holliday, and thank you for the memories.
