'Alice' Star Linda Lavin Mourns Death of TV Son Philip McKeon: 'He Taught Me How to Be a Good Mom'

Aliceactress Linda Lavin is mourning the death of her former costar,Philip McKeon.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Lavin, 83, reflected on the “deep” connection she shared with Philip on the set ofAlice, remembering him as a “wondrous boy.”

CBS via Getty

The CBS sitcom was based on Martin Scorsese’s 1974 rom-comAlice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, in which Alfred Lutter played the titular character Alice Hyatt’s son Tommy. However, Philip replaced Lutter after the pilot.

Philip, 55,died Tuesday morningin Texas after a battle with a long illness, his spokesman Jeff Ballard confirmed to PEOPLE.

Philip is the older brother ofFacts of LifeactressNancy McKeon.

Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Charlie Sheen honored Philip, his costar in an episode of the 1980s NBC anthology seriesAmazing Stories, on Twitter Tuesday.

“Shared some wonderful moments in the ‘trenches’ with Phil McKeon many moons ago,” wrote Sheen, 54. “Over the past few decades, he was always a perfect gentleman and an ebullient spirit.”

source: people.com