Child Star From 80s Sitcom ‘Alice’ Philip McKeon Passes Away at Age 55, Mourned by Co-Star Linda Lavin

(Shutterstock | Eugene Powers)

Fans of the classic 1980s CBS sitcom “Alice” and celebrities from the world of movies and TV are mourning the passing of actor and radio host Philip McKeon, who died on Dec. 10, 2019.

McKeon family spokesperson Jeff Ballard told People, “His wonderful sense of humor, kindness and loyalty will be remembered by all who crossed his path in life.”

While the cause of death was not specified, McKeon was only 55 years old and was known to be suffering from a chronic illness.

McKeon was remembered by former co-stars, such as Charlie Sheen, who took to Twitter to pay tribute to the actor. He wrote:

“over the past few decades,

he was always a perfect

gentleman and an ebullient spirit.”

After his rise to TV fame in the 1970s and 80s as Tommy Hyatt, the talkative son portrayed in sitcom “Alice,” McKeon went on to act in shows such as “Chips,” “Fantasy Island,” and “The Love Boat,” before becoming a radio host in Los Angeles, California, and then in Wimberly, Texas.

But it all got started very early as his parents got him involved in magazine modeling at the age of 4. His younger sister, Nancy, would also go on to become an actress, starring in the NBC sitcom “The Facts of Life” as Jo Polniaczek from 1980 to 88.

McKeon got his first big acting job in the Broadway play “Medea and Jason” as the character Herikles in 1974. He happened to be spotted by Linda Lavin, who would act in “Alice,” an adaptation from Martin Scorsese’s critically acclaimed film “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” (1974), which starred Ellen Burstyn. Lavin was so impressed with McKeon that he was recommended to casting agents and became her co-star as Alice’s son Tommy Hyatt.

Just as in the movie, Alice and her son have just picked up and left home in search of a better life, only to settle for a job in Mel’s Diner as a waitress, all the while hoping to become a singer. McKeon’s character is a vivacious and mischievous kid who loves his guitar, dirtbike, and his mom.

In the wake of his death, Lavin, who is 83 years old, remembered McKeon fondly both for his set presence and genuine humanity.

“Philip was the endearing, loving boy, always willing and eager to connect with others,” the ”Alice” actress told People. “The dynamic of creating that relationship made our connection very real and deep.

“He taught me how to be a good mom, just by being the wondrous boy he was.”

As for Nancy McKeon, who played in the 1994 film “Teresa’s Tattoo,” produced by her brother, she is reported to be grieving the loss of her sibling intensely. “She and Philip were very, very close,” a source who is a friend of the McKeon family told People. “The whole family is going to cling together and find comfort in each other during this time.”

Growing up as they did with showbusiness calling from a very young age, the McKeons had great dreams of success and working together. In an interview for People when he was a teenager, McKeon told the magazine, “Nancy is one of the best actresses in the world.”

For her part, Nancy McKeon added, “If I had to pick a brother, I’d pick him.”

Meanwhile, fans and friends are mourning his untimely passing and remembering the smile of “pure gold” he brought to the screen on “Alice” and many other shows. As Charlie Sheen put:

“r.i.p. young man.

much much too soon,

you cut out.