George Segal, the veteran star of US TV sitcom The Goldbergs, who was Oscar-nominated for his role in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, has died at the age of 87 due to complications from surgery.
The New York-born actor's passing was announced by his wife Sonia, who said: "The family is devastated to announce that this morning [Tuesday] George Segal passed away due to complications from bypass surgery."
— The Goldbergs (@TheGoldbergsABC) March 24, 2021
George Segal's screen career took off in the early 1960s after stage roles. He went on to become a Hollywood comedy favourite, but he also showed his range in dramatic parts.
He received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his role opposite Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Sandy Dennis in the incendiary domestic drama Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.
Other films in Segal's lengthy career included The Longest Day, Ship of Fools, King Rat, The Owl and the Pussycat, The Hot Rock, Blume in Love, A Touch of Class, Fun with Dick and Jane, Look Who's Talking, Flirting with Disaster and The Cable Guy. On television, his numerous credits included the series Murphy's Law, Just Shoot Me! and Entourage.
He found a new generation of fans in his role as Albert 'Pops' Solomon in period sitcom The Goldbergs, starring in all eight seasons. Off-screen, he was an accomplished banjo player, releasing three albums.
Discussing his career with the A.V. Club in 2013, Segal said: "Sometimes it's being in the right place at the right time, sometimes you're just the guy they want. It's impossible to explain.
"This is a real gambler's business, acting. It's a crapshoot, and you keep stepping up to the table and hope that your number comes up. Or it's like being a used car in a used car lot. You're just waiting for somebody to come over and kick your tires. You've got to be crazy to do this."
The Hollywood Reporter says Segal was married three times. His first marriage was to film editor Marion Sobel from 1956 until 1983. He was married to music manager Linda Rogoff from 1983 until her death in 1996. He married his high school sweetheart, Sonia Schultz Greenbaum, the same year.
He is survived by his wife Sonia, daughters Polly and Elizabeth and his extended family.
Here are some of the many tributes:
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
So sad about the loss of George Segal. I grew up loving his films, from "Where's Poppa?" to Sidney Lumet’s "Bye Bye Braverman," to "The Hot Rock." I got to work with him several times. This was last year at lunch. My deep sympathies to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/HgQ6Z63kXO
— bob saget (@bobsaget) March 24, 2021
George Segal in Where's Poppa was one of the biggest laughs I have ever had in a movie. He was a great actor. Too many of these type of posts lately. RIP George!
— Ed Asner (@TheOnlyEdAsner) March 24, 2021
George Segal has gone now. A career that kept going for 50+ because he loved it and he was great at it. RIP
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) 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
