“Gremlins” Actress Polly Holliday Dies at 88
Polly Holliday, best known for her darkly comedic portrayal of the villainous Mrs. Deagle in the 1984 cult classic “Gremlins,” has died, according to a report by TMZ. She was 88 years old.
Holliday’s career spanned decades, encompassing film adn television roles, but she achieved lasting recognition for her performance as the wealthy and widely disliked Kingston Falls property owner. Mrs. Deagle’s cruel treatment of both people and animals ultimately led to a spectacularly memorable demise at the hands of the mischievous Gremlins, catapulting the scene-and Holliday’s performance-into cinematic history.
Beyond “Gremlins,” Holliday also starred in films including “All the President’s Men” and “Honkytonk Man.” She gained further prominence for her leading role in the popular 1970s and 80s sitcom “Alice,” where her catchphrase, “Kiss my grits,” became iconic, despite later revealing it was a creation of Hollywood writers and not a genuine Southern expression. Holliday received a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Television Series in 1980 for her work on “Alice.”
Her agent and friend, Dennis Aspland, confirmed to TMZ that Holliday passed away on tuesday at her home in Manhattan after several years of health challenges.
