Beth Howland, Who Played Vera on <i>Alice</i>, Dies at 74

(SANTA MONICA, Calif.) — Beth Howland, the actress best known for her role as a ditzy waitress on the 1970s and '80s CBS sitcom "Alice," has died. She was 74.

Her husband, actor Charles Kimbrough, told The Associated Press that Howland died Dec. 31 of lung cancer in Santa Monica, California, and there was no announcement, funeral or memorial service.

"That was her choice," he said.

Howland was born May 28, 1941, in Boston.