In Memory of Jessica Walter (1941-2021)

Jessica Walter
1941-2021

Acting legend Jessica Walter has died at the age of 80. The Emmy-winning performer had a career that spanned over sixty years, starting her career in theater before first appearing in film and television in 1964's Lilith and Flipper, respectively. Her role in the 1966 film Grand Prix earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best New Star. Her most well-known film role came in 1971, starring alongside Clint Eastwood in Play Misty for Me. Her role as Evelyn Draper earned her a further Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a drama. A few years later, she won the Emmy for her titular role in Amy Prentiss, a spinoff of Ironside thast also starred Helen Hunt. In 1991, she begun a voice role in the ABC sitcom Dinosaurs, which ran four seasons until 1994. Her most acclaimed and iconic role came in 2003 as Lucille Bluth on Arrested Development, an Emmy-winning sitcom that earned Walter an Emmy nomination. That show ran until 2006 on Fox, but was later revived by Netflix for an additional two seasons. From 2011 to 2012, she starred in TV Land's Retired at 35 alongside George Segal, who predeceased her by a single day. Her final starring role on television was Archer, where she played the title character's mother. That show, which is still running, was her longest-running role, lasting over a decade from 2009 until her death. Further guest credits included Just Shoot Me! (playing the ex-wife of Segal's character), Murder She Wrote, Magnum PI, Rules of Engagement, The Big Bang Theory and Good Girls. Her final on-screen credit was an American Housewife episode that aired just a month ago.

The TV Ratings Guide sends its condolences to the loved ones of Jessica Walter. May she rest in peace.

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