Linda Lavin went through two painful divorces before she finally met the love of her life, actor Steve Bakunas.
Linda Lavin attends Netflix's "Santa Clarita Diet" season 3 premiere at Hollywood Post 43 on March 28, 2019 in Los Angeles, California | Photo: Getty Images
Lavin, 82, has been married to Bakunas, who is 20 years her junior, for 15 years, and their first meeting was a romantic scene straight out of a movie.
After 7 agonizing years, during which Lavin endured unbearable emotional abuse at her second husband's hands, she sued for divorce.
Linda Lavin and Steve Bakunas at New York premiere of "The Intern" in 2015 | Source: Getty Images
MEETING STEVE BAKUNAS
Then, Lavin went to a theatre opening night, and Bakunas was seated in the next row. Lavin was immediately struck by his good looks. She admitted:
"He turned around, and the moment I saw his gorgeous face I thought, 'I’m so glad I had my hair done today.'”
BAD CHOICES
The marriage was a disaster, and after 7 agonizing years, during which Lavin endured unbearable emotional abuse at her second husband's hands, she sued for divorce on the grounds of cruelty and adultery.
Niven, also known for his role in the '90s hit show "Friends," demanded a $6 million settlement, but fortunately for Lavin, the judge denied the actor's demands.
Niven, who was also younger than Lavin, passed away in 2019, at the age of 73. In a strange coincidence, Leibman, 82, also died in 2019, from pneumonia.
DETERMINED TO BE SINGLE
The divorce came through in 1992, and Lavin swore that she would remain single for the rest of her life. Then, one fateful night at the theater, she came face to face with her soulmate. In 2005, Bakunas, then 48 to Lavin's 68 proposed, and the actress accepted.
Of course, Lavin and Bakunas have no children together, but they do share a feisty Jack Russel terrier called Mickey. They also share a passion for theater, and in 2007 they founded the Red Barn Studio Theater. Lavin explained:
“We did 15 productions in five years.We took turns acting and directing, and Steve designed all the sets. It was a real mom-and-pop operation.”
"I’m an accepting parent. I’m comfortable with myself where I don’t need anybody to be different from who they are. [...] I believe as a parent we can give our children their own path."
STILL PERFORMING
Lavin is still acting too, and her most recent contributions were in the hit series, "Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase," "The Santa Clarita Diet," and "Brockmire."
It has been over 44 years since Warner Bros. debuted "Alice," and Lavin is as fresh and riveting a performer at 82 as she was in her 30s.
The bubbly entertainer who has collected an incredible collection of awards that include a Tony for "Broadway Bound," two Obies, two Golden Globes, and two Drama Desk Awards is still going strong. In fact, Lavin revealed, she is busier now than she was in her 50s.
