Polly Holliday

Biography: After eking out a modest living as a piano teacher in Alabama and Florida, Polly Holliday switched to acting, spending ten seasons with the Asolo State Theater in Sarasota. In 1973, Holliday headed for New York, where she was cast in Murray Schisgal's Broadway play All Over Town; her director was Dustin Hoffman. All Over Town led to the tiny but pivotal role as a testy secretary in the Dustin Hoffman-Robert Redford feature All the President's Men (1976)--which, in turn, led to Holliday's being cast as wise-cracking waitress Florence Jean "Flo" Castleberry in the TV sitcom Alice (1976-80). Rising to nationwide fame by virtue of her oft-repeated catchphrase "Kiss mah grits!", Holliday earned four Emmy nominations and one Golden Globe Award. In 1980, she was spun off into her own weekly series Flo, which lacked Alice's staying power and was cancelled after a single season. She went on to briefly replace Eileen Brennan on TV's Private Benjamin (1983), and to play Captain Betty inAfter eking out a modest living as a piano teacher in Alabama and Florida, Polly Holliday switched to acting, spending ten seasons with the Asolo State Theater in Sarasota. In 1973, Holliday headed for New York, where she was cast in Murray Schisgal's Broadway play All Over Town; her director was Dustin Hoffman. All Over Town led to the tiny but pivotal role as a testy secretary in the Dustin Hoffman-Robert Redford feature All the President's Men (1976)--which, in turn, led to Holliday's being cast as wise-cracking waitress Florence Jean "Flo" Castleberry in the TV sitcom Alice (1976-80). Rising to nationwide fame by virtue of her oft-repeated catchphrase "Kiss mah grits!", Holliday earned four Emmy nominations and one Golden Globe Award. In 1980, she was spun off into her own weekly series Flo, which lacked Alice's staying power and was cancelled after a single season. She went on to briefly replace Eileen Brennan on TV's Private Benjamin (1983), and to play Captain Betty in the pilot episode of Stir Crazy (1985). Her film roles of the 1980s included Gremlins (1984), in which she was eminently hissable as Margaret Hamilton clone Mrs. Deagle. Polly Holliday's more recent work has largely been confined to the Broadway stage; in 1989, she received a Tony nomination for her portrayal of Sister Woman in a revival of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Expand

Polly Holliday's Scores

Average career score: 69
Highest Metascore: 82 The Golden Girls: Season 1
Lowest Metascore: 50 The Client: Season 1
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Negative: 0 out of 3
3 tv reviews
Title: Year: Credit: User score:
tbd Home Improvement: Season 8 Sep 22, 1998 Lillian / Jill's Mother 7.5
tbd Home Improvement: Season 7 Sep 23, 1997 Lillian / Jill's Mother 7.5
tbd Homicide: Life on the Street: Season 5 Sep 20, 1996 Mrs. Rath 8.3
tbd Home Improvement: Season 6 Sep 17, 1996 Lillian / Actor 7.3
50 The Client: Season 1 Sep 17, 1995 Momma Love tbd
tbd Home Improvement: Season 4 Sep 20, 1994 Lillian / Actor 7.8
75 Home Improvement: Season 2 Sep 16, 1992 Nana / Jill's Mother 7.8
tbd Amazing Stories: Season 2 Sep 22, 1986 Actor tbd
82 The Golden Girls: Season 1 Sep 14, 1985 Actor / Guest 8.7
tbd Alice (1985): Season 8 Oct 2, 1983 Florence Jean Castlebury tbd
tbd Alice (1985): Season 6 Oct 4, 1981 Florence Jean Castlebury tbd
tbd Flo: Season 2 Oct 27, 1980 Florence Jean "Flo" Castleberry / Flo / Florence Jean Castleberry tbd
tbd Flo: Season 1 Mar 24, 1980 Florence Jean "Flo" Castleberry / Flo / Florence Jean Castleberry tbd
tbd Alice (1985): Season 4 Sep 23, 1979 Florence Jean "Flo" Castleberry (1976-1980) / Florence Jean Castlebury / Florence Jean `Flo' Castleberry tbd
tbd Alice (1985): Season 3 Sep 24, 1978 Florence Jean "Flo" Castleberry (1976-1980) / Florence Jean Castlebury / Florence Jean `Flo' Castleberry tbd
tbd Alice (1985): Season 2 Oct 2, 1977 Florence Jean "Flo" Castleberry (1976-1980) / Florence Jean Castlebury / Florence Jean `Flo' Castleberry tbd
tbd Alice (1985): Season 1 Aug 31, 1976 Florence Jean "Flo" Castleberry (1976-1980) / Florence Jean Castlebury / Florence Jean `Flo' Castleberry tbd