‘Play Misty for Me’ star Jessica Walter dies aged 80

‘Play Misty for Me’ star Jessica Walter dies aged 80 – Starts at 60

Jessica Walter’s career spanned more than five decades. Source: Getty.

American actress Jessica Walter, best known for her role as boozy matriarch Lucille Bluth in the hit television sitcom Arrested Development, has died at the age of 80.

Her daughter, Brooke Bowman, confirmed the sad news in a statement on Thursday. “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of my beloved mom [sic] Jessica,” she said, Deadline reports.

“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.”

Many will remember Walter from Clint Eastwood’s directorial debut, Play Misty for Me. She also starred in The Flamingo Kid, and earned Emmy nominations for her roles in Trapper John M..D and The Streets of San Francisco. And more recently, the actress landed a role as Malory Archer in the animated spy series Archer.

American actor Jason Bateman, who played Walter’s on-screen son on Arrested Development, was one of the first to pay tribute, writing on Twitter: “What an incredible career, filled with amazing performances. I will forever remember my time with her, watching her bring Lucille Bluth to life. She was one of a kind. All my love and thoughts to her family.”

Meanwhile, Archer co-star Amber Nash wrote on Instagram: “I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with and know Jessica. She was the best of us. 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.”

Fans also paid their respects, with Twitter user @TimRunsHisMouth writing: “RIP Jessica Walter… one of the funniest and most underrated comedic actresses of our time.”

And @melanielynskey wrote: “Rest In Peace, Jessica Walter. Any scene with Lucille and Buster Bluth together will just destroy me to this day. Such a complicated and hilarious dynamic. She was unbelievably great.”

Walters is survived by her daughter Bowman. Her husband American actor Ron Leibman died in 2019.

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Fans also paid their respects, with Twitter user @TimRunsHisMouth writing: u201CRIP Jessica Walteru2026 one of the funniest and most underrated comedic actresses of our time.u201D

“,”

And @melanielynskey wrote: u201CRest In Peace, Jessica Walter. Any scene with Lucille and Buster Bluth together will just destroy me to this day. Such a complicated and hilarious dynamic. She was unbelievably great.u201D

“,”

Walters is survived by her daughter Bowman. Her husband American actor Ron Leibman died in 2019.

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Penelope has done a bit of everything in the lifestyle journalism space, so is perfect for Starts at 60, where she turns her hand to everything from writing travel stories about the most luxurious cruises to fabulous celebrity frocks, with a focus on food as often as she can.

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Penelope graduated from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Communications and started her full-time writing career at Starts at 60 in 2017, having already worked as a freelance journalist at several lifestyle, entertainment, fashion and food magazines in Brisbane, including The West End Magazine, Indulge Magazine, Highlife Magazine, scenestr, Style Magazine and Venzin.

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Since starting at Starts at 60, Penelopeu2019s interviewed many Aussie household names, including MasterChef champion Julie Goodwin, TV favourite u2018Fast Edu2019 Halmagyi and renowned chef Curtis Stone. The self-confessed foodie has also written helpful u2013 and hunger-inducing! u2013 pieces including on how to cook the perfect steak and the fluffiest rice, how pickle your own vegetables, pick the best cheese and wine pairs and plenty more.

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In real life, Pene works off the calories by boxing, fitting in classes even before she hits the newsroom.

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If youu2019ve got a story youu2019d like to see covered by Starts at 60, contact Pene at news@startsat60.com.

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