Linda Lavin, who played Alice, is heartbroken over the death of Philip McKeon, who also appeared in the production.
Lavin, who is now 83, remarked on the “strong” connection she felt with Philip on the set of Alice. She described him as a “great youngster” in her message.
Philip was described as “the adorable, loving boy,” who was always willing and eager to interact with others. “Philip was always eager to interact with others,” she remarked. “Despite the fact that we were putting on a show for the audience, the dynamic of creating that relationship made our connection feel immensely real and profound.
He showed me how to be a caring and responsible parent simply by being the wonderful boy that he was.”
Lavin portrayed a widowed mother who was an aspiring actress and worked as a waitress in Phoenix while raising her teenaged son, Philip. In the 1970s, the comedy was a tremendous hit. Alice aired for nine seasons between 1976 and 1985.
In Martin Scorsese’s 1974 romantic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, which served as the idea for the CBS sitcom, Alfred Lutter played Alice Hyatt’s son Tommy. Scorsese directed the movie. Philip was cast as Lutter’s successor after the pilot episode.
His publicist, Jeff Ballard, confirmed that Philip, 55, died in Texas on Tuesday morning after a long battle with sickness.
“We are all totally heartbroken and shattered by Phil’s passing,” Ballard added, expressing everyone’s thoughts. “All those who came into contact with him during his life will remember his amazing sense of humor, kindness, and loyalty.”
Following his time on Alice, Philip spent eleven years in the news department of Los Angeles radio station KFWB News 98. Later, he migrated to Wimberly, Texas, where he had his own radio show and was closer to his family.
Charlie Sheen paid tribute to Philip, his co-star from an episode of the NBC anthology series Amazing Stories that aired in the 1980s, on Twitter on Tuesday.
“Shared some fantastic times in the ‘trenches’ with Phil McKeon many years ago,” Sheen, now 54, said in his post. “He has always been the epitome of a proper gentleman and an enthusiastic spirit over the course of numerous decades.”
The only people he leaves behind are Nancy and Philip’s mother, Barbara.
