Polly Holliday, a Tony Award-nominated screen and stage actor who turned the catchphrase "Kiss my grits!" into a national retort as the gum-chewing, beehive-wearing waitress aboard the long-running CBS sitcom "Alice," has died. She was 88.Polly Holliday was an American actress best known for her sharp wit, distinctive Southern charm, and unforgettable portrayal of the tough-talking waitress Florence Jean “Flo” Castleberry on the hit 1970s sitcom Alice. Born on July 2, 1937, in Jasper, Alabama, Holliday grew up in the South and developed a natural drawl and warmth that later became part of her signature screen presence. Before becoming a familiar face on television, she spent years honing her craft in regional theatre and teaching. Her background in stage performance gave her the versatility and comedic timing that made her a standout once she entered the entertainment industry full-time.
Her big break came in 1976, when she was cast on Alice, a sitcom based on the 1974 film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Playing Flo, the outspoken waitress with a penchant for sass and one-liners, Holliday quickly became a fan favourite. Her catchphrase, “Kiss my grits!” became a cultural phenomenon of the era, widely quoted and immediately associated with her character. What made Flo so memorable was Holliday’s ability to blend humour with humanity—behind the brassy exterior was a warm, relatable woman trying to make her way in life.
The role earned Holliday critical acclaim as well as audience adoration. She won two Golden Globe Awards for Best Supporting Actress and was nominated for an Emmy. Flo’s popularity was so strong that in 1980 she was given her own spinoff series, Flo. The show followed her character returning to Texas to run a roadhouse. While it initially drew high ratings, its viewership declined after frequent time slot changes, and it was cancelled after two seasons. Nevertheless, the spinoff cemented Holliday’s place in television history and proved her ability to carry a show on her own.
After Flo, Holliday resisted being typecast and sought out a wide variety of roles. She appeared in both film and television, often surprising audiences with her versatility. Notable film credits include Gremlins (1984), in which she played the cranky Mrs. Deagle; Moon Over Parador (1988); Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), where she portrayed Sally Field’s neighbour; and The Parent Trap (1998), in which she played the kindly housekeeper with warmth and humour.
On television, she made guest appearances on shows such as The Golden Girls, Home Improvement, and The Good Times Are Killing Me. Holliday also returned to her theatrical roots, performing in productions on and off Broadway. She particularly enjoyed working in serious drama as a way to balance her well-known comedic persona.
Throughout her career, Holliday was praised for her ability to inhabit both comedy and drama with equal skill. While many remembered her primarily for Flo, she demonstrated staying power in Hollywood by diversifying her work and taking on memorable supporting roles. She also remained respected for her professionalism and down-to-earth personality off-screen.
Today, Polly Holliday is celebrated as an enduring figure in American television history. Her role as Flo remains iconic, but her broader body of work shows a performer with remarkable range and depth. By embracing both her Southern roots and her adaptability as an actress, she carved out a unique and lasting legacy in the entertainment world.
Source: Some or all of the content was generated using an AI language model
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