Tributes have been paid to Arrested Development star Jessica Walter after she died in her sleep in her New York City home.
The 80-year-old’s career spanned six decades including everything from a standout turn as the unhinged Evelyn in Clint Eastwood’s directorial debut, Play Misty For Me, to The Flamingo Kid and her Emmy-nominated turns on Trapper John M..D. and Streets Of San Francisco.
But she was best known more recently for her role as Lucille Bluth in Arrested Development, for which he earned an Emmy nomination (Outstanding Supporting Actress) and two SAG nominations.
With husband Ron Leibman, Walter also did lead voice work for the FX animated espionage comedy Archer, voicing Malory Archer from 2009-15.
The actress also served as National Vice President of the Screen Actors Guild, and was an elected member of the SAG Board of Directors for over a decade.
Walter is survived by her daughter Brooke Bowman, who is SVP Drama Programming at Fox Entertainment, and grandson Micah Heymann.
Bowman said in a statement via Deadline: “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of my beloved mom Jessica. A working actor for over six decades, her greatest pleasure was bringing joy to others through her storytelling both on screen and off. While her legacy will live on through her body of work, she will also be remembered by many for her wit, class and overall joie de vivre.”
Her Arrested Development co-star, Tony Hale who played Buster Bluth, was one of the first to pay tribute to the late actress.
“She was a force, and her talent and timing were unmatched. Rest In Peace Mama Bluth,” he wrote.
David Cross, who played Tobias Fünke in the sitcom, also paid his respects upon hearing the news of her death.
“I just heard the shitty news about Jessica Walter an absolutely brilliant actress and amazing talent. I consider myself privileged and very lucky to have been able to work with her. Lucille Bluth is one of TV’s greatest characters,” he wrote.
Co-star Henry Winkler, who played Barry Zuckerkorn, in the series added: “OH NO …We worked together for years on ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT ..It was an honour to watch her comedy explode from the very first row.”
The studio behind Arrested Development, 20th Television, later released a statement following Walter’s passing. “Jessica Walter’s spectacular turn as the devilish Lucille Bluth is one of the great comedic performances of television history, and we loved working with her as much as audiences loved her on Arrested Development,” it said before adding: “Our hearts go out to her family and friends, particularly her daughter, and our former colleague, Brooke. We know that heaven just got a whole lot funnier with Jessica now in residence.”
She was a force, and her talent and timing were unmatched. Rest In Peace Mama Bluth. pic.twitter.com/wJeOeJleR3
— Tony Hale (@MrTonyHale) March 25, 2021
I just heard the shitty news about Jessica Walter an absolutely brilliant actress and amazing talent. I consider myself privileged and very lucky to have been able to work with her. Lucille Bluth is one of TV's greatest characters
— david cross
(@davidcrosss) March 25, 2021
OH NO …We worked together for years on ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT ..It was an honor to watch her comedy explode from the very first row . https://t.co/edVRAPsKRk
— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) March 25, 2021
“I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with and know Jessica. She was the best of us,” said Archer‘s Amber Nash on Instagram. “She would wait for a moment and then blow us all out of the water with the funniest thing you’ve ever heard. I learned so much from Jessica. A classy gal indeed.”
Oscar winning actress Viola Davis expressed her sadness, adding: “Oh man!! I loved you Jessica Walter. I grew up watching you AND admiring you. Always consistently excellent. Rest well.”
Netflix also paid their respects, adding: “Her voice was unmistakable. Her talent was undeniable. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us Jessica Walter. Rest in peace, legend.”
Shaun Of The Dead director Edgar Wright also paid tribute to the actress. “I loved Jessica Walter. For me, knowing her mostly from dramatic work in films like ‘Play Misty For Me’ just made the comic genius of her turn in ‘Arrested Development’ even more delightful. You can watch her reactions shots on a loop. Lucille Bluth Forever,” he wrote.
You can view a selection of reactions below:
Oh man!! I loved you Jessica Walter. I grew up watching you AND admiring you. Always consistently excellent. Rest well
https://t.co/40d22s6pA1
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) March 25, 2021
Oh GODDAMIT. She was such an absolute sweetie. RIP queen https://t.co/1XG7kq5eSj
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) March 25, 2021
This is so incredibly sad. I loved Jessica so much. She was so funny and marched to the tune of her own drummer. A true original whom I had the honor of working with several times. So much love to you, Jessica. Rest In Peace.
https://t.co/Sm0tqvE4Os
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) March 25, 2021
Her voice was unmistakable. Her talent was undeniable.
Thank you for sharing your gifts with us Jessica Walter. Rest in peace, legend. pic.twitter.com/cleCoiXCCL
— Netflix (@netflix) March 25, 2021
I loved Jessica Walter. For me, knowing her mostly from dramatic work in films like 'Play Misty For Me' just made the comic genius of her turn in 'Arrested Development' even more delightful. You can watch her reactions shots on a loop. Lucille Bluth Forever. pic.twitter.com/hwBLDyJBET
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) March 25, 2021
The post ‘Arrested Development’ and Hollywood stars pay tribute to Jessica Walter: “Rest in peace Mama Bluth” appeared first on NME.
