'The Goldbergs' Actor George Segal Dead At 87 After Complications With Bypass Surgery
Hollywood has lost another great. Actor George Segal died on Wednesday, March 23, in Santa Rosa, Calif., at the age of 87.
His wife, Sonia Segal, confirmed the news in a statement: “The family is devastated to announce that this morning George Segal passed away due to complications from bypass surgery.”
Segal famously starred as Jack Gallo on the popular television series Just Shoot Me from 1997-2003, alongside David Spade, Wendie Malick and Laura San Giacomo. Since 2013 he has starred as Albert “Pops” Solomon on the hit ABC comedy The Goldbergs.
“We lost a legend,” the show’s creator, Adam F. Golberg, said in a tweet. “It was a true honor being a small part of George Segal’s amazing legacy.”
On the big screen, Segal starred in films such as The St. Valentine's Day Massacre (1967), King Rat (1965), Where's Poppa? (1970), A Touch of Class (1973), California Split (1974), For the Boys (1991) and Flirting with Disaster (1996).
He received an Oscar nomination for his work in the 1966 drama Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.
Segal has been credited as one of the first American film actors to rise to leading man status with an unchanged Jewish surname, thus helping to pave the way for artists such as Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand.
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In February 2017, the actor was honored with star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
As news of Segal's passing circulated in Hollywood, many famous faces whom had worked with the actor or knew him well took to social media to share their sentiments.
"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," tweeted actress Jennifer Tilly.
"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!" shared Melissa Joan Hart.
"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," shared iconic actress Morgan Fairchild.