Acting legend George Segal dead at 87
March 23, 2021 Andrew Buss Features, In Memoriam, News
Today we lost a true legend. George Segal, who has had a career in entertainment that spanned nearly 60 years, has passed away at the age of 87.
“The family is devastated to announce that this morning George Segal passed away due to complications from bypass surgery,” his wife Sonia Segal said in a statement provided by Sony Television.
Segal has one of those careers that spanned serious drama, action, and comedy. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his work in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.Other film roles include Ship of Fools, The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, Where’s Poppa?, The Hot Rock, Bye Bye Braverman, Blume in Love, Fun With Dick and Jane, A Touch of Class, California Split, No Way To Treat A Lady, The Owl and the Pussycat, Rollercoaster, Who Is Killing The Great Chefs of Europe, Look Who’s Talking, Flirting With Disaster, The Cable Guy, Love & Other Drugs, and 2012.
In television, Segal is perhaps best known for his work in sitcoms with Just Shoot Me and The Goldberg’s. Additionally, he also made appearances on The Larry Sanders Show, Murder She Wrote, The Simpsons, American Dad, The Smother’s Brothers Comedy Hour, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, Law & Order SVU, Pushing Daisies, Boston Legal, and Entourage. In 1976, he co-hosted the 48th Annual Academy Awards.
Outside of his work in narrative film and television, he was also a frequent favorite on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. From 1965 until 1991, Segal appeared on the program 47 times. Whether he was a guest on the show or was filling in for Carson from time to time, Segal used it as an opportunity to show off his skills on the banjo. Fun fact: Before becoming an actor, he was an aspiring musician.
Tributes to the great actor have already started pouring in on Twitter.
Today we lost a legend. It was a true honor being a small part of George Segal’s amazing legacy. By pure fate, I ended up casting the perfect person to play Pops. Just like my grandfather, George was a kid at heart with a magical spark. I think these memories say it all… pic.twitter.com/D1aNZuT20e
— Adam F. Goldberg (@adamfgoldberg) March 24, 2021
So sorry to hear of the passing of the wonderful George Segal! We did The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood together & I guested on Just Shoot Me. One of a kind and always a joy! #RIPGeorge #RIPGeorgeSegal 💔💔 pic.twitter.com/fEZpQSUkBU
— Morgan Fairchild (@morgfair) March 24, 2021
Shocked and saddened to hear of #GeorgeSegal passing away!
From being on set of #JustShootMe to directing him on #Goldbergs, he was a true gem and great man. He will be missed! https://t.co/1SvToqUEGH— Melissa Joan Hart (@MelissaJoanHart) March 24, 2021
Aw! Rip #GeorgeSegal. I used to play poker with him at Norby Walters weekly game. Just a great vibrant man with a wonderfully dry sense of humor. https://t.co/np1B7egQrJ
— Jennifer Tilly (@JenniferTilly) March 24, 2021
My friend, who had an amazing and wonderful life. And who luckily wasn't a terrific poker player. RIP #georgesegal, godspeed. pic.twitter.com/SokVxnmG0f
— Willie Garson 🇺🇸 (@WillieGarson) March 24, 2021
My personal favorite George Segal movie is “The Hot Rock”. What a career. What a nice man, what an iconic cool funny 70’s movie star. #RIP
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) March 24, 2021
