Segal’s wife, Sonia, announced the actor’s death, saying, “The family is devastated to announce that this morning George Segal passed away due to complications from bypass surgery.” Segal died in Santa Rosa, California, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Segal’s movie career included roles in “Where’s Poppa?”, “The Owl and the Pussycat,” “A Touch of Class,” “California Split” and “Fun With Dick and Jane.”
A native of Great Neck, New York, Segal was known for his comedic role, but it was his dramatic role in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” that garnered him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor, Variety reported.
Elizabeth Taylor and Sandy Dennis won Academy Awards for their roles in the film. Richard Burton also received a nomination.
More recently, Segal was known to television audiences for his role as magazine publisher Jack Gallo on “Just Shoot Me” from 1997 to 2003, and as Albert “Pops” Solomon on “The Goldbergs” since 2013, The Associated Press reported.
Segal also had roles on “Murphy’s Law” and “Take Five.”
“I am saddened by the fact that my close friend and client of many years has passed away,” Segal’s longtime manager Abe Hoch, said in a statement. “I will miss his warmth, humor, camaraderie and friendship. He was a wonderful human.”
Segal also starred in several acclaimed films for television, including “Of Mice and Men,” “Death of a Salesman” and “The Desperate Hours.”
Following the news of his passing, several stars have taken to social media to pay tribute including Morgan Fairchild, who starred with George in the 1984 television movie ‘The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood’.
She tweeted: “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 (sic)”
Whilst Melissa Joan Hart, who appeared in episodes of ‘Just Shoot Me!’ and ‘The Goldbergs’, wrote: “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! (sic)”
His last film role was in 2014’s ‘Elsa & Fred’.
