Fifty years ago, television audiences met Alice Hyatt, a widowed mother whose plans for a fresh start in Hollywood took an unexpected turn when her car broke down in Phoenix. She found work at Mel’s Diner, kept dreaming of a singing career, and, along with the rest of the cast, helped turn Alice into one of CBS’s most memorable sitcoms of its era.
As reported by Remind, the series premiered on August 31, 1976, and ran for nine seasons through 1985. Along the way, viewers grew attached to the colorful Alice cast, from gruff diner owner Mel Sharples to sweet Vera and outspoken Flo, whose “kiss my grits” catchphrase became part of television history. As the sitcom reaches its 50th anniversary, only one regularly billed main cast member remains alive.
‘Alice’ Cast Survivor Celia Weston Is Still Acting at 74
Celia Weston joined the series in 1981 as Jolene Hunnicutt, a new waitress at Mel’s Diner who arrived after Diane Ladd’s Belle Dupree left Phoenix. Weston remained with the show until its final season in 1985, becoming an important part of the diner ensemble during its later years. At 74, she is now the only living performer from the show’s regularly billed main cast.
Weston continued building an impressive acting career long after leaving Mel’s Diner. Her movie credits include “Dead Man Walking,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” “In the Bedroom,” “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” and “The Intern.” Television audiences have also seen her in shows such as “Modern Family” and “American Horror Story: Freak Show.” More recently, she took on the role of Mama Margaret in Netflix’s comedy “Leanne,” proving that her screen career has stretched across several generations.
Remembering the Stars Who Made Mel’s Diner Feel Like Home
Alfred Lutter III also remains alive, although his connection to the television series was much shorter. Lutter originally played Alice’s son Tommy in Martin Scorsese’s 1974 film “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” which inspired the sitcom. He returned for the television pilot at age 14, but Philip McKeon took over the role when CBS moved forward with the series. Lutter appeared in a handful of additional films before stepping away from acting in the late 1970s.
