Credit: ABCReports are pouring in that lighthearted comedic legend, George Segal, has died at age 87.
Los Angeles ABC 7 news reporter George Pennacchio broke the unfortunate news on Twitter:
Sad to report the death today of actor George Segal. He was 87. His wife says it was due to complications from bypass surgery. He just finished his 8th season on @TheGoldbergsABC. Before that, he was TV’s “Just Shoot Me.” He also had a long movie career. R.I.P.
#BREAKING – Sad to report the death today of actor George Segal. He was 87. His wife says it was due to complications from bypass surgery. He just finished his 8th season on @TheGoldbergsABC. Before that, he was TV’s “Just Shoot Me.” He also had a long movie career. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/76vVWUQ9nR
— George Pennacchio (@abc7george) March 24, 2021
Related: Beloved ‘Bob’s Burgers’ Animator, Dave Creek, Dead at 42
In addition to working on The Goldbergs, which aired on Disney-owned ABC, Segal did voice work on The Simpsons, which is part of the Walt Disney Company following the 2019 20th Century Fox — now 20th Century Studios — acquisition.
The Goldbergs writer, Adam Goldberg, also confirmed the star’s passing:
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…
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
Related: Fans, ‘Star Wars’ Co-Stars Remember Carrie Fisher Four Years After Death
Segal’s passing is making international headlines, with Australian reporter, Sam Rubin, posting:
At one time and for a significant period of time George Segal was IT. He was featured in several major movies and then had a second chapter as a top sitcom star. Film legend and ‘Goldbergs’ star George Segal dies at 87
At one time and for a significant period of time George Segal was IT. He was featured in several major movies and then had a second chapter as a top sitcom star. Film legend and ‘Goldbergs’ star George Segal dies at 87 https://t.co/agGj2tqOEz
— Sam Rubin (@SamOnTV) March 24, 2021
According to IMDb, Segal’s illustrious career began in 1960 with a TV movie, The Closing Door. The actor went on to become known for playing Nick opposite Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966), Steve Blackburn in A Touch of Class (1973), Albert in Look Who’s Talking (1989), and Tony Delgatto in 2012 (2009).
The Oscar-nominated actor had also portrayed Albert ‘Pops’ Solomon in The Goldbergs since 2013. It is not yet known how the sitcom will address Segal’s passing.
Are you a George Segal fan?