‘Gremlins’ Star Dies at 88, Cause of Death Revealed

Polly Holliday, the actress best known for her role as Flo on the CBS sitcom Alice, has died at the age of 88. Her agent, Dennis Aspland, confirmed that she passed away at her home in Manhattan on September 9, 2025.

Holliday became famous in the 1970s for playing the gum-chewing, big-haired waitress Flo. Her performance, which included the catchphrase “Kiss my grits!”, earned her a Golden Globe Award and multiple Emmy nominations.

The success of her character led to a short-lived spin-off, Flo, in 1980. Reflecting on the role, Holliday once told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, “She was a Southern woman you see in a lot of places. Not well educated, but very sharp, with a sense of humor and a resolve not to let life get her down.”

Film fans may also remember Holliday as the villainous Mrs. Deagle in the 1984 movie Gremlins. Her performance won her a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress. Over her career, she appeared in movies such as All the President’s Men, Mrs. Doubtfire, and The Parent Trap, and appeared on television shows including Home Improvement and Golden Girls.

In addition to her screen work, Holliday had a strong theater career. She received a Tony Award nomination for playing Big Mama in the 1990 Broadway revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof alongside Kathleen Turner. She also appeared in productions like All Over Town, Arsenic and Old Lace, and Picnic.

Holliday was born in Alabama and never married or had children. She was the last surviving member of the original cast of Alice. According to her agent, she passed away following a bout of pneumonia.

Polly Holliday left a lasting mark on television, film, and theater. From her iconic role as Flo to her memorable part in Gremlins, she entertained audiences with her humor, strength, and presence on stage and screen.

Polly Holliday’s death marks the loss of a true entertainment icon. She showed that a strong, funny, and bold character could resonate for decades. Her roles made people laugh, while also proving she could handle serious and dramatic work. Which of her performances do you remember most? Share your thoughts in the comments.