Who is Steve Bakunas? Actor, Musician, Artist, and Loving Husband of Linda Lavin
Steve Bakunas is a multi-talented American actor, jazz drummer, and visual artist who became widely known as the loving husband of the late actress Linda Lavin. Born in Devon, Milford, Connecticut, Bakunas has built a creative life that spans the stage, the canvas, and the music studio. While many people first heard his name in connection with Linda Lavin, he is a gifted artist in his own right. His work in theater, painting, and music has earned him real respect in the arts community.
Steve Bakunas Bio Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Steve Bakunas |
| Birthplace | Devon, Milford, Connecticut, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor, Jazz Drummer, Visual Artist |
| Known For | Husband of Linda Lavin, Red Barn Studio Theater |
| Spouse | Linda Lavin (married 2005, died 2024) |
| Marriage Date | Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2005 |
| First Met Linda | November 17, 1999, Wilmington, North Carolina |
| Residence | Wilmington, North Carolina; later New York City |
| Theater Founded | Red Barn Studio Theater (co-founded 2007) |
| Art Exhibition | “Faces and Places” at Trent and Company, SoHo |
| Music Credit | Drummer on Linda Lavin’s 2011 CD “Possibilities” |
Early Life and Background
Steve Bakunas grew up in Devon, a part of Milford, Connecticut. From a young age, he showed a strong passion for the creative arts. He developed skills in acting, music, and painting, which later became the three pillars of his professional life. His background in multiple art forms made him a rare kind of creative person. He was not limited to one stage or one canvas. He carried his talents across different fields with equal dedication.
Not much has been shared publicly about his early education or family background. However, his work in community theater and visual arts shows that he received serious training and built his skills over many years. His Connecticut roots gave him a solid foundation before he moved to North Carolina, where his life would change in a very meaningful way.
Career as an Actor
Steve Bakunas has had an active career in theater both as a performer and behind the scenes. He has appeared in stage productions and also worked as a set designer, showing that his talents go well beyond just acting. His work in theater brought him deep into the world of live performance, where he found a home.
One of his most well-known creative moments came in 2014 at the Vineyard Theatre in New York, where he and Linda Lavin performed a 90-minute show called “Portrait of an Artist.” During this event, Bakunas painted a portrait of Linda on stage while she answered questions about her life and career. This unique performance combined his visual art with live theater in a way that impressed audiences and critics alike.
Steve Bakunas as a Visual Artist
Steve Bakunas is a serious and dedicated visual artist. He works with portraits and landscape paintings, creating a body of work that shows great skill and emotional depth. Linda Lavin was his favorite subject, and he painted her many times over the years. His love for her came through clearly in his artwork.
In 2014, Bakunas held a private art exhibition titled “Faces and Places” at the SoHo loft office of Nancy Trent in New York City. The show featured his collection of portrait and landscape paintings and was well received by the downtown art scene. Linda Lavin was the one who pushed for the show to happen, expressing publicly that she wanted the world to see his lifelong collection of work. The exhibition gave Bakunas the wider recognition he deserved as a visual artist.
Steve Bakunas as a Jazz Drummer and Musician
Music has always been an important part of Steve Bakunas’s life. He is a skilled jazz drummer who has performed in various settings throughout his career. His love for music connected naturally with his work in theater and the arts.
He served as the drummer for Linda Lavin’s cabaret performances, which were known for their warmth, humor, and musical skill. He also played drums on her 2011 CD titled “Possibilities,” which showcased both their talents. This musical partnership was a natural extension of their personal relationship. Together, they brought a joyful energy to every stage they shared.
How Steve Bakunas Met Linda Lavin
The story of how Steve Bakunas met Linda Lavin is one that both of them loved to share. Their first meeting happened on November 17, 1999, at a theater in Wilmington, North Carolina. A mutual friend had suggested that Bakunas might be able to help Linda with her arts foundation for inner-city girls. That same evening, she saw him seated in the next row at a theater opening night.
Linda later admitted that she was immediately struck by his appearance. She said: “He turned around, and the moment I saw his gorgeous face I thought, I’m so glad I had my hair done today.” However, she also noted that it was not love at first sight in the traditional sense. Their connection grew slowly and naturally over time. By 2005, Bakunas proposed, and the couple married on Valentine’s Day of that year in a ceremony with close friends and family.
Marriage to Linda Lavin
Steve Bakunas and Linda Lavin shared nearly 20 years of marriage before her passing on December 29, 2024. They built a life together that was full of creativity, community service, and genuine love. Linda often spoke about how happy she was with Steve. In a 2014 interview with Closer Weekly, she said: “We have so much fun together. I feel very fortunate to have found him!”
She also described their relationship as being built on communication, hard work, adventure, and growth. The couple lived together in Wilmington, North Carolina, and later split their time between there and New York City, where they kept two apartments across the hall from each other. Their home life was as creative and loving as their public one. When Linda passed away on December 29, 2024, after a battle with lung cancer, her final words to Steve on the drive to the hospital were: “Honey, if I die, know that I love you so much.”
Red Barn Studio Theater and Community Work
One of the most lasting things Steve Bakunas and Linda Lavin built together was the Red Barn Studio Theater in Wilmington, North Carolina. In 2007, the couple converted a garage into a working community theater. Over the next five years, they produced 15 full productions, taking turns acting and directing. Bakunas designed all the sets himself, showing his skill as both a builder and an artist.
Beyond the theater, the couple was deeply involved in community work in Wilmington. They helped rehabilitate poor neighborhoods, renovated homes, and donated a park to the city. Their efforts made a real difference in the lives of local people. Steve was not just a creative partner to Linda. He was a full and active partner in everything she cared about, including the community around them.
Conclusion
Steve Bakunas is a man of many talents. As an actor, musician, and visual artist, he has spent his life creating things of beauty and meaning. As a husband, he gave Linda Lavin nearly two decades of love, laughter, and shared purpose. He helped build a community theater, served his neighborhood, and stood by her side until the very end. His story is one of quiet dedication, deep creativity, and a love that many people admired from afar.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is Steve Bakunas?
Steve Bakunas is an American actor, jazz drummer, and visual artist. He is best known as the third and final husband of actress Linda Lavin.
Q2. When did Steve Bakunas and Linda Lavin get married?
Steve Bakunas and Linda Lavin got married on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2005, after meeting in Wilmington, North Carolina, in November 1999.
Q3. What kind of art does Steve Bakunas create?
Steve Bakunas creates portrait and landscape paintings. His most famous exhibition was titled “Faces and Places,” held in SoHo, New York City.
Q4. Did Steve Bakunas and Linda Lavin work together professionally?
Yes. They co-founded the Red Barn Studio Theater in 2007, performed together on stage, and Bakunas played drums on Linda Lavin’s 2011 CD “Possibilities.”
Q5. Where is Steve Bakunas from?
Steve Bakunas was born in Devon, Milford, Connecticut, United States.
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