Steve Bakunas is an American actor, painter, and jazz drummer who became widely known as the third and final husband of beloved TV actress Linda Lavin. While most people remember Linda for her famous role as Alice in the CBS sitcom Alice (1976 to 1985), very few people know about the talented man who stood beside her for the last 20 years of her life. Steve is not just “Linda Lavin’s husband.” He is a creative person with his own story, full of art, music, theater, and a deep love that lasted until Linda’s final breath on December 29, 2024.
Detailed Bio Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Steve Bakunas |
| Date of Birth | July 29, 1957 |
| Birthplace | Devon, Milford, Connecticut, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor, Painter, Jazz Drummer |
| Known For | My Own Love Song (2010), One Tree Hill (2003), Psychic Detective (1995) |
| Broadway Credit | Hollywood Arms (2002) |
| Spouse | Linda Lavin (married February 14, 2005) |
| Children | Has children from a previous relationship |
| Siblings | Eight siblings (seven sisters) |
| Notable Project | Co-founder of Red Barn Studio Theatre, Wilmington, NC |
| @stevebakunas |
Early Life and Family Background
Steve Bakunas was born on July 29, 1957, in Devon, a small town in Milford, Connecticut. He grew up near the Housatonic River in a big family. He was the seventh of nine children and had seven sisters. His father worked as a self-employed carpenter, and his mother was a full-time homemaker.
Steve’s family was not connected to the arts world. However, his parents always supported his creative interests. As a teenager, Steve did not dream about Hollywood. He actually wanted to drive a bulldozer and a dump truck because those machines made him feel powerful. Everything changed when his father died of heart failure in 1971 at the age of 51. That moment became a turning point in Steve’s young life and pushed him to find a new direction.
Career in Acting and Film
Steve Bakunas started his acting career with small roles in local theater productions. Over time, he built his skills and moved into film and television. He appeared in movies like Psychic Detective (1995), Farmer & Chase (1997), and My Own Love Song (2010). He also had a role in the popular TV show One Tree Hill (2003).
In 2002, Steve made his Broadway debut in Hollywood Arms, a play written by Carrie Hamilton and Carol Burnett. In that production, he played the role of Cop #2 at the Cort Theater in New York City. While Steve never became a big Hollywood star, he earned respect in the theater community for his honest and dedicated performances.
Life as a Painter and Jazz Drummer
Acting was only one part of Steve’s creative life. He is also a skilled painter and jazz drummer. His paintings have been shown at galleries, and his art style blends traditional methods with modern ideas. One of his exhibitions, called “Faces and Places,” displayed his multi-media artwork at Trent and Company in New York.
Steve also played drums for Linda Lavin’s cabaret shows and her 2011 music album called Possibilities. Together, they performed a unique stage show called Portrait of an Artist. During this 90-minute show, Steve would paint Linda’s portrait on stage while asking her questions about her life and career. They performed this show at many venues across the country.
How Steve Bakunas Met Linda Lavin
Steve and Linda Lavin first connected in 1999. A mutual friend suggested that Steve could help Linda with a foundation she had started for inner-city girls in Wilmington, North Carolina. They began talking online, and then fate brought them together in person at a theater opening night in Wilmington.
Linda later shared the story of their first meeting with great joy. She said that when Steve turned around in his seat, she saw his face and thought, “I’m so glad I had my hair done today.” It was not love at first sight, but it grew quickly. They dated for several years before getting married on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2005.
Their Marriage and Life Together
Steve became Linda’s third husband. Before him, Linda had two difficult marriages. Her first husband was actor Ron Leibman (married 1969, divorced 1981). Her second husband was actor Kip Niven (married 1982, divorced 1992). Linda once described her second marriage as painful and said her ex-husband made “no contributions as a partner.”
With Steve, everything was different. Linda often said she felt “very fortunate” to have found him. In a 2014 interview, she told Closer Weekly, “We have so much fun together. I feel very fortunate to have found him!” The couple lived in Wilmington, North Carolina, and later moved to New York City. Linda had no biological children of her own but became a loving stepmother to Steve’s children from a previous relationship.
Linda Lavin’s Final Days
Linda Lavin passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 87. She died from complications related to lung cancer that doctors had recently found. Just weeks before her death, she walked the red carpet at a Netflix premiere and said wonderful things about her husband to PEOPLE magazine. She said, “I have a wonderful life, a wonderful husband.”
Steve later shared a heartbreaking video about Linda’s last day. The couple had rented a home in Malibu for Christmas. On that Sunday morning, Linda told Steve she was “struggling a little bit.” Her condition got worse, and Steve drove her to the hospital. On the drive up Pacific Coast Highway, Linda’s last words to Steve were: “Honey, if I die, know that I love you so much.”
Steve Bakunas After Linda’s Death
After losing Linda, Steve honored her memory by sharing their story with the public. In his emotional video, he encouraged everyone who had known Linda’s love to hold on to it. He said, “She was a gift to me. I just encourage all of you who had experienced her love just to hold it in you.”
Steve continues to keep Linda’s memory alive. Their love story, which lasted more than 20 years, remains a beautiful example of partnership, creativity, and true connection. Steve Bakunas may have lived in Linda Lavin’s shadow for many years, but his own life story proves that he is a talented and remarkable person in his own right.
Conclusion
Steve Bakunas is much more than “Linda Lavin’s husband.” He is an actor, a painter, a jazz drummer, and a community builder. His life journey from a small town in Connecticut to Broadway stages and art galleries shows his deep love for creativity. His 20-year love story with Linda Lavin touched many hearts, and his strength after her passing shows the kind of man he truly is.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Steve Bakunas?
Steve Bakunas is an American actor, painter, and jazz drummer. He is best known as the third husband of TV and Broadway actress Linda Lavin. He appeared in films like My Own Love Song and the TV show One Tree Hill.
2. When did Steve Bakunas marry Linda Lavin?
Steve and Linda got married on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2005. They first met in 1999 at a theater in Wilmington, North Carolina, and dated for several years before their wedding.
3. Does Steve Bakunas have children?
Steve has children from a previous relationship. Linda Lavin had no biological children but became a stepmother to Steve’s children during their marriage.
4. What happened to Linda Lavin?
Linda Lavin passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 87. She died from complications of recently diagnosed lung cancer while in Malibu, California, with Steve by her side.
5. What does Steve Bakunas do for a living?
Steve is a multi-talented artist. He works as an actor, a painter, and a jazz drummer. He has appeared on Broadway, acted in films and TV shows, and displayed his artwork in galleries. He also co-founded the Red Barn Studio Theatre in Wilmington, North Carolina.
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