Jessica Walter Dead at 80: ‘Arrested Development’ Costars and More Pay Tribute to the Actress

Credit: Rob Latour/Shutterstock

Jessica Walter Dead at 80: ‘Arrested Development’ Costars and More Pay Tribute to the Actress

Jessica Walter died in her sleep at home in New York City on Wednesday, March 24, at 80 years old. The Emmy Award-winning actress’ career spanned six decades, gaining the star a number of dedicated fans and friends. Walter’s daughter, Brooke Bowman, confirmed the news in a statement to Deadline the day after her mother’s death. “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of my beloved mom Jessica,” Bowman said on Thursday, March 25. “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.” [jwplayer Gh0xRJ4h-l3ahXupL] After beginning her acting career in the theater, the Brooklyn native’s feature film debut came in 1964 when she starred in Lilith with Warren Beatty, Jean Seberg and Gene Hackman. As her career progressed, Walter starred in series such as 90210 and Archer, but was perhaps most well-known for playing the part of classy and conniving matriarch Lucille Bluth on Arrested Development, which she starred on from 2003 to 2013 and then again from 2018 to 2019. “Jessica Walter’s career in television covers a remarkable amount of territory, and touches practically every major trend American TV has had,” television critic Linda Holmes noted via Twitter. Following her passing, a number of fans and colleagues took to social media to express their sadness and love for the multitalented actress. While some shared their favorite moments from her illustrious career, others laughed about the star’s excellent comedic timing and iconic lines. “Her voice was unmistakable. Her talent was undeniable. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us Jessica Walter. Rest in peace, legend,” the official Netflix account tweeted on Thursday. “Jessica Walter never missed. If she didn’t get a laugh there was a problem with the script,” Arrested Development writer and coproducer John Levenstein recalled. Scroll through the gallery to see how celebs paid tribute to Walter. [podcast_block]

Credit: Rob Latour/Shutterstock

Jessica Walter Dead at 80: ‘Arrested Development’ Costars and More Pay Tribute to the Actress

Jessica Walter died in her sleep at home in New York City on Wednesday, March 24, at 80 years old. The Emmy Award-winning actress’ career spanned six decades, gaining the star a number of dedicated fans and friends. Walter’s daughter, Brooke Bowman, confirmed the news in a statement to Deadline the day after her mother’s death. “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of my beloved mom Jessica,” Bowman said on Thursday, March 25. “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.” [jwplayer Gh0xRJ4h-l3ahXupL] After beginning her acting career in the theater, the Brooklyn native’s feature film debut came in 1964 when she starred in Lilith with Warren Beatty, Jean Seberg and Gene Hackman. As her career progressed, Walter starred in series such as 90210 and Archer, but was perhaps most well-known for playing the part of classy and conniving matriarch Lucille Bluth on Arrested Development, which she starred on from 2003 to 2013 and then again from 2018 to 2019. “Jessica Walter’s career in television covers a remarkable amount of territory, and touches practically every major trend American TV has had,” television critic Linda Holmes noted via Twitter. Following her passing, a number of fans and colleagues took to social media to express their sadness and love for the multitalented actress. While some shared their favorite moments from her illustrious career, others laughed about the star’s excellent comedic timing and iconic lines. “Her voice was unmistakable. Her talent was undeniable. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us Jessica Walter. Rest in peace, legend,” the official Netflix account tweeted on Thursday. “Jessica Walter never missed. If she didn’t get a laugh there was a problem with the script,” Arrested Development writer and coproducer John Levenstein recalled. Scroll through the gallery to see how celebs paid tribute to Walter. [podcast_block]

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Tony Hale

“She was a force, and her talent and timing were unmatched. Rest In Peace Mama Bluth,” wrote the actor, who played Lucille’s son Buster on Arrested Development. Hale paired his tribute with a sweet, smiling selfie of him and the actress.

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Alia Shawkat

“💔love you Gangie #jessicawalters” wrote the Search Party star via Instagram — referencing what her characte, Maeby, called her grandmother Lucille on Arrested Development.

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Maren Morris

The country singer quoted the late star on Twitter, writing, “RIP Jessica Walter. One of the funniest lines still ever delivered is: Michael: ‘Get rid of the Seaward.’ Lucille: ‘I’ll leave when I’m good and ready.’”

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Viola Davis

The Oscar winner posted Walters’ obituary, adding a note of her own on Twitter.

“Oh man!! I loved you Jessica Walter. I grew up watching you AND admiring you. Always consistently excellent. Rest well 💛,” she wrote.

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Dan Levy

“The greatest,” tweeted the Schitt’s Creek alum, pairing his note with a broken heart emoji.

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Elsie Fisher

“Absolutely devastated at the passing of Jessica Walter. God,” the Eighth Grade actress wrote.

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David Cross

“I just heard the sh--ty 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,” Cross, who also starred on Arrested Development, wrote. “Lucille Bluth is one of TV's greatest characters.”

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Aisha Tyler

"Jessica Walter was a queen in every way: kind, classy, incredibly talented, generous with love & support. And so insanely funny. She was the brilliant center of our @archerfxx universe,” the actress tweeted alongside some images of her and the late star. “Sweet flight to you, dear Jessica. You were so loved, and we were so lucky to know you.”

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Mara Wilson

The former child star put her thoughts simply. “Godd--mit NO,” she wrote.

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Patton Oswalt

The Goldbergs star went down a Jessica Walter “rabbit hole” after news of the actress' death broke, sharing his findings via Twitter.

“She was in the ‘Hold For Gloria Christmas’ episode of NAKED CITY in 1962,” he noted, detailing some fun facts about the role. “Not to be ‘that guy,’ but NAKED CITY was filmed very run-and-gun on the streets of NYC. They probably rolled up to that newsstand and did quick over-the-shoulder coverage.”

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Adam Reed

"The Archer family is heartbroken to lose Jessica Walter, our beloved colleague and friend. Jessica was a consummate professional, an actor's actor, and the exact opposite of Malory Archer — warm, caring, and kind, with an absolutely cracking sense of humor — and it was both a privilege and a true honor to work with her over these many years. She will be greatly missed, but never forgotten,” the Archer creator and executive producer wrote in a statement.