Beth Howland, the actress best known for her role as Vera on the long-running sitcom Alice, has passed away at the age of 74.
Her husband, the actor Charles Kimbrough, revealed this week that Howland died of lung cancer on December 31.
There was no announcement, funeral or memorial service per her request.
"That was her choice," Kimbrough said today.
Howland portrayed Vera on all nine seasons of Alice, the popular CBS sitcom inspired by Martin Scorsese’s film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
Her depiction of the awkward but enderaing waitress quickly made Vera a fan favorite, and Howland was frequently asked about her similarities with the character.
"I’m a little naive sometimes but not as much as Vera," she remarked in one of her final interviews. "I guess I’m really a cynic."
Though Alice and it’s many quotable catchphrases may have been what earned Howland a place in the cultural memories of millions of Americans, the Boston native was a respected stage actress long before she became famous on the small screen.
Shortly after moving to New York City, Howland found work on Broadway.
She originated the role of Amy in Stephen Sondheim’s Company, and she cited performing in an early production of Bye, Bye Birdie as one of the highlights of her career.
After her time on Alice, Howland racked up dozens of television roles, including guest spots on Murder, She Wrote and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
She had a daughter with actor Michael J. Pollard (best known for his work in the 1967 classic Bonnie and Clyde), but the couple divorced in 1969.
Howland was married to Murphy Brown actor Kimbrough from 2002 until her death.
Though she lived a very private life in her final years, Howland is today being fondly remembered by fans and former co-stars on social media.
Many young comedic actresses have described her work on Alice as enduringly influential.