Who Is Still Alive From ‘Alice’ 50 Years After Its Premiere?
On August 31, 1976, viewers first met Alice Hyatt, a widowed mother whose trip to Hollywood came to a halt when her car broke down in Phoenix. Alice took a job at Mel’s Diner while continuing to dream of becoming a singer. The show Alice was based on Martin Scorsese‘s 1974 film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, and aired on CBS for nine seasons. The sitcom became known for its memorable diner staff, including grumpy owner Mel, sweet Vera and outspoken waitress Flo, who regularly told people to “kiss my grits.”
As Alice celebrates its 50th anniversary, Celia Weston is the only living actor from the show’s regularly billed main cast, while Alfred Lutter III, who appeared only in the pilot as Alice’s son, Tommy, is also still alive. Let’s find out what they’re up to now.
Celia Weston (74), Jolene Hunnicutt
Everett Collection; Patrick McElhenney/Netflix/Everett Collection
Celia Weston joined Alice in 1981 as Jolene Hunnicutt, the newest waitress at Mel’s Diner. The character was introduced after Diane Ladd‘s Belle Dupree left Phoenix, and Weston remained with the show through its final season in 1985. She continued acting after Alice and appeared in films including Dead Man Walking, The Talented Mr. Ripley, In the Bedroom, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and The Intern. Her television credits include Modern Family, American Horror Story: Freak Show and Echoes. She currently plays Mama Margaret on the Netflix comedy Leanne, starring comedian Leanne Morgan.
Alfred Lutter III (64), Tommy
Everett Collection
Alfred Lutter III played Alice’s son, Tommy, in the original film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. He returned for the television pilot, which aired when he was 14 years old. Philip McKeon took over the role when the series continued. Lutter appeared in a few more films before leaving acting in the late 1970s and has mostly stayed out of the public eye.
In Memoriam
Linda Lavin (Alice Hyatt) died on December 29, 2024, at age 87 from complications of lung cancer.
Vic Tayback (Mel Sharples) died of a heart attack on May 25, 1990, at age 60.
Beth Howland (Vera Louise Gorman Novak) died from lung cancer on December 31, 2015, at age 74.
Philip McKeon (Tommy Hyatt) died on December 10, 2019, at age 55 after a long illness.
Polly Holliday (Flo Castleberry) died at her Manhattan home on September 9, 2025, at age 88.
Diane Ladd (Belle Dupree) died at her California home on November 3, 2025, at age 89 from acute and chronic hypoxic respiratory failure.
Charles Levin (Elliot Novak) was found dead in Oregon on July 13, 2019, at age 70 after an accidental fall.
Remind 
1976 Top TV Moments
September 2026
Look back 50 years ago celebrating all the stars, musicians, TV shows and athletes who made 1976 memorable.
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