Acting vet George Segal, who had been playing ‘Pops’ on ABC’s The Goldbergs for the past eight years, but who was arguably best known for his starring role on NBC’s late, great Just Shoot Me, died on Tuesday. He was 87.
“The family is devastated to announce that this morning George Segal passed away due to complications from bypass surgery,” Segal’s wife, Sonia, said in a statement. Added his manager Abe Hoch: “I am saddened by the fact that my close friend and client of many years has passed away. I will miss his warmth, humor, camaraderie and friendship. He was a wonderful human.”
Segal’s final Goldbergs episode will reportedly air on April 7.
“Today we lost a legend,” Goldbergs creator Adam F. Goldberg tweeted late Tuesday. “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.”
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
Segal’s career spanned six decades and encompassed Broadway, film and, of course, television. He scored an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in 1966’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
In addition to his roles as Jack Gallo on Just Shoot Me! and Albert “Pops” Solomon on The Goldbergs, Segal’s TV resume included the short-lived TV Land sitcom Retired at 35.
Just Shoot Me‘s David Spade and The Goldbergs‘ Wendi McLendon-Covey are among those paying tribute to their fallen colleague on social media…
Rough news. Legendary #ripgeorge pic.twitter.com/tU3hGVe9cN
— David Spade (@DavidSpade) March 24, 2021
Grateful. 😢 pic.twitter.com/wSWSmcEFxQ
— Wendi McLendon-Covey (@wendimclendonco) March 24, 2021
My heart is broken. I lost a dear friend. Working with George was an honor and some of the happiest moments of my life. What a sweet & wonderful man. He was my confidant & teacher. When he smiled it changed my day. I wish everyone could have met him. Prayers are with the family. pic.twitter.com/fp8WvwdOdv
— Sean Giambrone (@seangiambrone1) March 24, 2021
RIP George Segal ❤️ pic.twitter.com/j9zkahRaBU
— Sam Lerner (@SammyLerner) March 24, 2021
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) March 24, 2021
— Sony Pictures Television 📺 (@SPTV) March 24, 2021
