By Mark Gray
6:13am PDT, Mar 26, 2021
Jessica Walter, the beloved actress who's career spanned six decades, passed away on March 24 at her home. She was 80. The Emmy-winning actress famously starred as Lucille Bluth on "Arrested Development" and voiced Malory Archer on "Archer." Her iconic characters also graced the big screen in "Grand Prix" and in Clint Eastwood's directorial debut, "Play Misty for Me," which earned her one of two Golden Globe nominations. Following Jessica's death, many of her famous co-stars paid tribute to her on social media, including on-screen son Jason Bateman. "R. I. P. Jessica Walter. 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," he tweeted. Keep reading to see how more Hollywood stars are reacting to the news of Jessica's passing…
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"Jessica Walter was a deeply talented person We first met on a pilot in '96 and I was instantly blown away I'm fortunate to have had a front row seat to her brilliance for 25 years. My thoughts are with her daughter Brooke and grandson Micah today Farewell Jessica, you'll be missed" –Will Arnett
"Oh man!! I loved you Jessica Walter. I grew up watching you AND admiring you. Always consistently excellent. Rest well" –Viola Davis
"Will never forget working with #JessicaWalter on 'What ever happened to the class of '65' in 1977. She played my Mum and #LarryHagman , my Dad. A dream experience. RIPx Jessica . #BrookeBowman" –Kim Cattrall
"I just heard the… 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
"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. Sweet flight to you, dear Jessica. You were so loved, and we were so lucky to know you." –Aisha Tyler
"OH NO …We worked together for years on ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT ..It was an honor to watch her comedy explode from the very first row ." –Henry Winkler
"To the spitfire, brilliant, marvelous, Jessica Walter— I can still hear your glorious laugh, even now. Your presence in life and on screen will be greatly missed." –Amber Tamblyn
"She was a force, and her talent and timing were unmatched. Rest In Peace Mama Bluth." –Tony Hale
"Love you Gangie" –Alia Shawkat
"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." –Paul Feig
"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." –Amber Nash
"She was such an absolute sweetie. RIP queen" –Patton Oswalt
"we lost a true great one Rest In Peace Jessica Walter" –Seth Green
"Saddened to hear about the passing of the amazing talented and feisty #JessicaWalter. I was lucky to work with her on a film where she played my mother. She was a force of nature. One of the greats." –Meredith Salenger
"I have laughed some of my hardest laughs because of Jessica Walter." –Adam Rippon
"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." –Edgar Wright
"I'm stunned and so very sad to hear this news. Jessica was one of the sharpest, funniest people I've ever worked with — and I've been incredibly fortunate in working with some true greats. She was, to me, the best kind of comic actor — one who's fearless in her willingness to draw upon the, shall we say, less desirable aspects of our character that, well … make us funny. She effortlessly sunk her teeth into depicting a type of mother that, given how people related to her, must be more common than is usually celebrated. Her Lucille Bluth must somehow lurk in even the most loving moms. I remember once, in front of her own daughter, she said to me, 'I love playing Lucille — she reminds of my mother.' And, I could be wrong, but I thought I detected a look on her daughter's face that said, 'YOUR mother?' Because Lucille was kind of everyone's mother at their worst. And she somehow made that all really lovable. I really loved her — she was so special. I'm so saddened by this news." –"Arrested Development" creator Mitch Hurwitz, to Variety
"Our hearts are saddened by the passing of Jessica Walter. She was a gifted actor and unionist. Not only did Jessica win an Emmy but was nominated for multiple SAG Awards and served her fellow members as a Screen Actors Guild National Vice President for nearly a decade. On behalf of all members, I express our gratitude for her service and offer my condolences to her family and friends." –Gabrielle Carteris
