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Her passing at the age of 95 reminds us of the generational transition currently taking place in Hollywood. Hirson belonged to a cohort of actors who viewed their work as a trade, a profession built on discipline and the collaborative spirit of the ensemble. She was a performer who didn’t seek out the tabloid spotlight, choosing instead to let her work speak for itself. It is for this reason that she remained so consistently employed for over fifty years; directors knew that when they hired Alice Hirson, they were hiring a professional who would arrive prepared, focused, and ready to find the heart of the character.
As the industry mourns her loss, the focus remains on the “quiet strength” she radiated. In a world that often prizes volume and spectacle, Hirson was a reminder of the power of the understated. Her legacy is found in the reruns that continue to bring comfort to families, in the scripts of the historic episodes she helped bring to life, and in the memories of the actors she mentored along the way. She was a witness to the evolution of the American sitcom and a participant in the breaking of social barriers on screen, all while maintaining the grace of a true Brooklyn-born lady.