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Polly Holliday
1937 - 2025
Polly Holliday
1937 - 2025
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1937
DIED
2025
Polly Holliday Obituary
Born July 2, 1937, in Jasper, Alabama, Holliday studied music at what is now the University of Montevallo and pursued graduate work at Florida State University. She taught school and honed her craft in repertory theaters before arriving on Broadway in 1974.
Holliday joined "Alice" in 1976 as Florence Jean "Flo" Castleberry, a brassy, big-hearted waitress with perfect timing. Her flirtatious character became a fan favorite and led to a spinoff, the two-season sitcom "Flo." She won Golden Globes in 1979 and 1980 for the role and earned four Primetime Emmy nominations, three for "Alice" and one for "Flo."
Her TV work ranged far beyond Mel's Diner. She played Rose Nylund's sister Lily on "The Golden Girls" and recurred as Jill Taylor's mother, Lillian, on "Home Improvement." She later co-starred in the legal drama "The Client."
On film, Holliday was unforgettable as ruthless mogul Ruby Deagle in "Gremlins," winning the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1985. Other credits included "All the President's Men," "Mrs. Doubtfire," and "The Parent Trap" (1998).
She returned often to the stage. Holliday starred on Broadway in "Arsenic and Old Lace" and earned a Tony nomination as Big Mama in the 1990 revival of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."
Despite her fame, she led a private life. She was deeply involved with Grace Church in Greenwich Village, helping support its choral society and a chamber series, and she never married.
By Legacy News Staff
(Image: Everett Collection)
46 Entries
Patricia Peters
September 14, 2025
Loved you, Miss Kissmygrits.
David Vance
September 14, 2025
Thanks for the laughs
ED
September 13, 2025
Polly was a great actress, her family and friends have my heartfelt sympathy. May the fond memories of your loved one always be remembered.
Matthew Jones
September 13, 2025
I really enjoyed watching her every Sunday night on the Alice show. I send my deepest condolences to her family and hope that God gives them the strength to endure.
How you can show support
AARON
September 13, 2025
I WAS SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF POLLY HOLIDAY SHE WILL BE MISSED
RB
September 13, 2025
Everyone knew her as Flo but, she was so much more. She had so many memorable roles throughout her career. She was always entertaining, funny and she always gave her best. She will be missed. My heart goes out to her family. May God be with you in your time of loss.
Geoffrey willbanks
September 13, 2025
I remember watching her as a kid in Alice, my thoughts and prayers go out to her family, she will be missed
Cokie
September 12, 2025
She will be missed as Gloria Chaney for Mrs. Doubtfire or Lillian Patterson in Home Improvement
Theresa Poling
September 12, 2025
I loved Polly Holliday as Flo on Alice. She was a great Guest Star on The Golden Girls as well. She will be Greatly Missed.
Serena
September 12, 2025
Polly Holliday is the esteemed comedic actress behind many great TV memories from the golden age of television. "Alice" was one of my favorite shows when growing up. Even though the show was called "Alice", Flo was actually one of the most iconic characters, not just on the show but on all TV in the 70s! It was always a treat to watch Flo put Mel in his place! The character Flo was a force to be reckoned with, but Polly was behind her genius. She showed that waitresses everywhere were not to be trifled with. She also made working in a Diner seem cool, because she literally changed people´s perceptions about waitresses. She endowed the job with a sense of purpose that commanded respect!
Polly Holliday´s talent and indomitable spirit will always be cherished, and her memory will remain a lasting treasure. RIP to a legendary lady.
Adriane Harris
September 12, 2025
Well Kiss my grits! A spunky,fun,lively Kentucky accent, down home character she played so tough you'd think that's who she really was,great unforgettable character in Mel's dinner. Loved Flo!!! Wow,she was the last of Mel's diner to survive, now they're all back together again in the Mel's Diner in the sky....my condolences to all her family and friends.
Dave Carver
September 12, 2025
Polly Holliday did an awesome job playing Flo on Alice. It was my favorite sitcom of all time. The show was never quite the same when she left. It is really sad that all the original cast of that awesome sitcom are now gone. R.I.P. Flo. Thoughts and prayers to her family and friends.
Marsha Lee
September 12, 2025
Loved this lady She was such a good actress & so funny. Rest in peace, Miss Polly. Thank you for all the good memories & your talent.
van cain
September 12, 2025
Polly was my second cousin from Alabama. Only meet her once, but that was the best 3 hours of my life.
van cain
September 12, 2025
WilliamSmith
September 11, 2025
Tammy A
September 11, 2025
What a great actress and entertainer. Thank you for all of the laughs. Rest in peace precious lady!
Bob Sama
September 11, 2025
Thanks Polly, you were part of my childhood.
DENNIS PAUL MALONE
September 11, 2025
Faith Tobin
September 11, 2025
Dear Holliday Family my condolences´s to the Holliday Family./she´ll surely be missed very very much./may she rest in peace.she was absolutely very funny.best faith/brad
Mark Douglas Ray and Family
September 11, 2025
My almost 90-year-old mother, Ann Tomberlin Ray, attended Vacation Bible School in the 1940s with Polly Holliday at the First Baptist Church in Childersburg, Alabama where my grandfather, F. W. Tomberlin, was their pastor. An old snapshot of that event which includes Polly, my mom, and both maternal grandparents, still brings joy each time we run across it.
-Mark Ray, Decatur, Alabama
Bubba
September 11, 2025
You were the best southern sister i rejoice knowing I'll see you in heaven one day
A great actress indeed!
SD
September 11, 2025
Wow, she was really funny as Flo & between her & Mel, they were probably the only reasons I tuned in. Rest in peace Ms. Holliday...
Chris
September 11, 2025
I offer my sincere condolences to the family of Polly Holliday. May God give your family comfort and strength as you mourn her loss.
Linda
September 11, 2025
She was a great actress and will be missed by those who knew her as an actress. Loved her "Kiss my grits".
Lisa Weiner
September 11, 2025
To Polly Holiday.
You were a very talented actress . You did a great job playing the waitress Flo on the sitcom Alice. You made me laugh. My prayers go to your family and friends. Lisa Weiner.
Grady Morris Youngblood
September 11, 2025
Patrick Jones
September 11, 2025
RIP to a great actress that I know from the tv show Alice, as Flo. Who doesn't remember the line "Kiss My Grits." Thank you for the laughs, thoughts for the Holliday family.
Diana Patton
September 11, 2025
Pollyanna Holliday was a great actress. May she rest in peace. She is in a better place called Heaven. The Lord Is My Shepherd. Psalm 23.
RB
September 11, 2025
Such a great actress, everyone got to know and love her as Flo, it was one of my favorite shows. Heartfelt condolences to the Holliday family, so very sorry for your loss. May God be with you all to help you in your time of loss.
Ruth Washington
September 11, 2025
I'm going to miss you holiday I know you going to do a better place. With Jesus
M. Story
September 11, 2025
Polly will always be remembered as "Flo" who brought much love and laughter through the TV screen. Her gum chewing and sassyness while waitressing at Mel's Diner will long be remembered. Rest in peace, Polly. May God comfort her family and friends as they mourn her passing.
Grady Morris Youngblood
September 11, 2025
Polly Holliday is Greatest tv Actress on Alice Tv Show sitcom
KMS
September 11, 2025
God speed and thank you for the laughs.
A. Dodd
September 11, 2025
Seeing Polly in A Gift of Love; A Christmas Story as the "old maid" character of Aunt Min (Minerva) discussing her true love Hannibal (the Christmas ghost) gave me a whole new appreciation for her as an actress beyond "Flo"...she was able to outshine both Lee Remick and Angela Lansbury in that movie. A true gem Thank you God for creating such a wonderful person!
Virginia zamora
September 11, 2025
RIP miss Polly you be miss in so many ways I see you on Alice love when you tell your boss to kiss my grits you are the was the best on TV 1970- until now 2025
William earl Smith
September 10, 2025
Rest in peace Flo
T Brooks
September 10, 2025
So sorry to hear about Polly Holliday's passing. The last of the original "Alice" cast. Sending deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
Josh Monson
September 10, 2025
She will be missed by all that knew her
Kathy Koehler
September 10, 2025
Polly Holiday,
Thanks so much for all the laughs you brought to my tv screen throughout the years. Sometimes I thought, I want to be like Flo someday!! You were a free spirit as Flo, a little bit sassy, and a whole lot of fun!
May the Goddess of Goodness carry you away to the tropical island of your dreams.
Dave Mann
September 10, 2025
What a great actress and she turned the role of Flo into one of the most memorable characters on not only "Alice" but all of TV. Sadly, all of the main characters have passed away. My condolences to her family and friends.
Edwin Turman
September 10, 2025
I love your show, as a kid you always brought a smile to my face
John Svida
September 10, 2025
Florence Jean Castleberry, Will be Sadly Missed, Thank You for, Entertaining America Polly, Mels Dinner was a favorite, Thank You for the laughs, lost a lot of beautiful people this year. Polly will live forever everytime I watch the show. God Bless, very sad .
Jennifer Parker
September 10, 2025
I grew up watching you, and still to this day I watch you on Alice.
You were my favorite, my heart is broken over your passing.
Thank you for all the laughs and giggles you gave me.
You were a great actress.
Josh Monson
September 10, 2025
Polly Holliday was great on the sitcom Alice she will be by all who knew her
Grady Morris Youngblood
September 10, 2025
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