Screen Rant
George Segal, Actor On The Goldbergs, Dies At 87
BY ROBERT PETERPAUL
March 24, 2021
Actor George Segal has died at the age of 87. While he’s most recently known for playing Albert “Pops” Solomon in ABC’s 1980s-set series The Goldbergs, Segal leaves behind a prolific career of nearly six decades. In the film world, the veteran actor gave memorable performances in movies like The New Interns and A Touch of Class, both of which he won Golden Globe Awards for. Perhaps his crowning film achievement was playing Nick in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), which earned him an Oscar nomination.
Segal frequented television in his later years, putting in guest appearances on hit shows like Boston Legal, Entourage, Private Practice and even lending his voice talents to The Simpsons. As a series regular, he quickly became known for playing brass magazine publisher Jack Gallo on NBC’s iconic sitcom Just Shoot Me! from 1997-2003. The comical performance earned him a fourth Globe Globe nomination. The Goldbergs was his final television project.Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view.START NOW
Sony Pictures Television confirmed the sad news by sharing a statement from Sonia Segal, his wife of nearly 25 years. The note revealed that the Long Island native died of complications from a surgery on the morning of Tuesday, March 23, reading: “The family is devastated to announce that this morning George Segal passed away due to complications from bypass surgery.”
According to Deadline, the actor’s final episode on The Goldbergs will air on April 7. The series is expected to pay tribute to their co-star and friend later on in the season. The official show social media accounts and Segal’s TV family posted various homages to him. Creator Adam F. Goldberg penned a fitting and succinct opening sentence in his, writing: “Today we lost a legend.”
From the outside, Segal seemed to have an actor’s dream career. He worked in almost every medium, starring in both major film and television productions, and taking centerstage in Broadway shows. Segal brought his charms into an array of roles from leading men to quirky supporting characters. He was also one of the first film stars in the U.S. to gain leading man status without changing his Jewish surname.
During his career, George Segal played opposite legendary performers like Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Glenda Jackson, Vivien Leigh, Barbra Streisand, Jim Carrey, Bette Midler, and Jane Fonda, to name a small portion. He is survived by his wife Sonia and two children, Polly and Elizabeth Segal, whom he had with his first wife Marion Segal Freed. Our thoughts go out to Segal’s family and loved ones during this time.
