Beth Howland, Played Vera on ‘Alice’ Sitcom, Dead

The actress who played Vera in the 70’s sitcom ‘Alice’ has died.

FOX’s Michelle Pollino reports:

Beth Howland, who played Vera, the quirky waitress on ‘Alice’ has died at the age of 74…

Her husband, actor Charles Kimbrough, who played the news anchor Jim Dial on ‘Murphy Brown’ said that Howland died Dec. 31 of lung cancer in Santa Monica, California, there was no announcement, funeral or memorial service, which was her choice.

Howland had small roles on ‘The Love Boat’ and ‘Little House on the Prairie’ before she was cast as Vera Louise Gorman on ‘Alice’:

(Howland) “When I think about how long I dreamed about meeting a real star and I end up finding Telly Savalas in a dump like this.”

The comedy was based on the 1974 Martin Scorsese film, ‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.’

Michelle Pollino, FOX News.

Follow Michelle Pollino on Twitter: @MichelleFOXEnt