Linda Lavin had barely arrived in New York from the College of William and Mary when she landed her very first professional gig on the New York stage. She joined the chorus of the off-Broadway revival of the Gershwin musical Oh, Kay! back in 1960. Just two years later, Linda made her official Broadway debut in A Family Affair, marking a significant step in her career. However, it wasn’t until 1966 that she truly began to shine. Her standout performance came in the musical revue The Mad Show, and she further captured attention as Sydney in It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman, where she delivered the unforgettable number “You’ve Got Possibilities,” part of a score by Strouse and Adams. That role, part of a musical written by Robert Benton and David Newman, showcased her unique ability to stop the show with her vocal power and stage presence.
But Linda Lavin was not content to be seen only as a musical performer. In 1969, she took on a role in Alan Arkin’s off-Broadway revival of Jules Feiffer’s dark comedy Little Murders, and later received a Tony nomination for her performance in Neil Simon’s The Last of the Red Hot Lovers. Around the same time, she also participated in Paul Sills’ innovative production Story Theatre in 1970, proving her versatility across a wide range of genres. As the New York theater scene began to struggle in the early ‘70s, Linda decided to take a chance and moved to California to explore new opportunities.
Well, when it comes to Linda Lavin’s career highlights, one film really stands out as her highest rated—The Muppets Take Manhattan from 1984. It’s definitely a fan favorite and showcases Linda Lavin in a memorable role that audiences loved. Over the years, critics and viewers alike have praised the movie, making it a clear peak in Linda Lavin’s filmography. On the other hand, her lowest rated project came more than two decades later with The Back-up Plan in 2010. While it had its moments, the film didn’t resonate as strongly with critics or fans, which brought down its overall reception. So, while Linda Lavin has enjoyed many successes throughout her career, these two films represent the high and low points in terms of ratings. Still, Linda Lavin continues to be recognized for her talent and versatility across movies, TV, and stage.