SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The actress who was best known for her role as a ditzy waitress on the 1970s and ’80s CBS sitcom “Alice” has died. Beth Howland was 74.

Her husband, actor Charles Kimbrough, tells The Associated Press that Howland died of lung cancer in Santa Monica, California, on Dec. 31. He says there was no funeral or memorial service and “that was her choice.”

Howland played naive diner waitress Vera Louise Gorman on “Alice” for the nine-year run of the comedy that ended in 1985, earning four Golden Globe nominations. Her credits also include parts on the “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” and “The Love Boat.”

Howland is also survived by a daughter from her previous marriage to actor Michael J. Pollard.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.