Jessica Walter, the award-winning actress, died in her sleep last Wednesday in her New York City home.
Her daughter, Brooke Bowman, said in a statement, “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of my beloved mom Jessica.” She added, “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.”
Walter will always be remembered for her iconic role in “Play Misty For Me,” where she played Evelyn Draper, the woman who became obsessed with Clint Eastwood’s disc jockey character.
She earned an Emmy for Best Actress in a Limited Series in 1975 for the NBC series, “Amy Prentiss,” where she played the role of Amy Prentiss, the story of the first woman to become chief of detectives in the San Francisco Police Department.
She stole our hearts again in 2003 with her hilarious and snarky role of Lucille Bluth in the hit show “Arrested Development.” A position for which she was later nominated 18 times for over the years. She told The Associated Press in 2013 that, “It exposed me to a demographic of people who thought I was sick or dead.”
Former cast members and fans mourned her death with heartfelt tributes on social media.
She was a force, and her talent and timing were unmatched. Rest In Peace Mama Bluth. pic.twitter.com/wJeOeJleR3
— Tony Hale (@MrTonyHale) March 25, 2021
What a brilliant, funny, intelligent and strong woman. RIP Jessica Walter, and thank you for a lifetime of laughs and for sharing your incredible talent on our show and with the world. #jessicawalter
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) March 25, 2021
RIP to the great comedienne Jessica Walter, taken far too soon pic.twitter.com/ArLTqntC6h
— On This Day In Animation (@thisdayanim) March 25, 2021
Photo Credit: New York Post
