‘Alice’ Star Linda Lavin’s Brutal Divorce From Husband Whom She Accused of Cheating, Wasting Her Hard-Earned Money and More
- Linda Lavin began performing when she was a very young child and rose to recognition with her show, Alice.
- Lavin filed for divorce from her second husband, and it was an excruciating affair for her.
- The Wanderlust actress unexpectedly passed away at the age of 87.
2024 claimed another beloved star as it came to a close. Alice star Linda Lavin passed away at 87 on 29th December. As we mourn her loss, we remember the strength and grace that defined her life. Her divorce in 1991 was one of those many events in her life where she stood her ground regardless of how hard it was for her.
Lavin demonstrated great courage in divorcing her husband, Kip Niven, whom she accused of serious misconduct. By refusing to stay married to Niven, she set an example for all those women who end up in abusive marriages and struggle to get out of it.
Linda Lavin’s divorce from Kip Niven was very painful for her
Linda Lavin began performing when she was 5 and by the early 1960s, she had appeared in several Broadway shows. Her first film appearance came in 1967 with Damn Yankees! She had a recurring role in the first two seasons of the sitcom Barney Miller, which she left to star in the sitcom Alice. In the latter show, she appeared as the eponymous struggling single mother.
It was on the set of this show that she met Clifford ‘Kip’ Niven. The two got married in 1982. Although their marriage lasted nine years, the court hearing for their divorce settlement implied it was not the happiest. In fact, the hearing revealed the true face of actor and director, Niven.
According to PEOPLE, in addition to describing her intimate life in the court, Lavin had to recount how Niven belittled her appearance and acting skills. To make matters worse, she also had to endure listening to Niven’s other lovers detail their affairs. She claimed that she treated her with “disgust and contempt.”
The divorce was filed in 1990, and the Wanderlust actress had accused Niven of adultery, mental and emotional cruelty, and irresponsible spending of her income. The Earthquake was demanding financial support from Lavin, whose attorney claimed that the actress had supported him and his children almost completely as long as they were married.
Despite how tough the battle was, she stood her ground. According to The New York Times, she ultimately paid Niven $675,000 in the settlement. Niven had originally asked for monthly payments of $13,500, support for his two children from a previous marriage, and half of all marital assets. All of that combined would have cost Lavin $6 million.
Linda Lavin passed away at the age of 87
Linda Lavin gave several award-winning performances over her career and was forever dedicated to her art. Her death was a shock to many, especially because she was even working earlier this month. She was promoting the Netflix series, No Good Deed and filming the upcoming Hulu comedy series Mid-Century Modern. She is the lead actress in the latter of these.
Deadline was the first to report the news of her passing on December 29. Her PR representative told the outlet that she died “unexpectedly due to complications from recently discovered lung cancer”. She might not be physically present in this world anymore, but the mark she has left behind on the world as one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation will keep her legacy alive for decades to come.
From the legendary Maggie Smith and the teen actor Hudson Meek to musicians Quincy Jones and Liam Payne, the world has lost some of the best artists in 2024. Hopefully, all of these souls will rest in peace, and their loved ones will find comfort in cherished memories as they move into the next year.
