Jessica Walter, Arrested Development Star, Dead at 80

(Rolling Stone) – Jessica Walter, the award-winning actress best known for portraying Lucille Bluth in Arrested Development, died Wednesday at age 80 at her home in New York City. A representative for Walter confirmed the news to Rolling Stone but did not provide a cause of death.

Emmy-winning actress also starred in Archer, Broadway revival of Anything Goes

Walter’s six-decade acting career spanned across film and television, from Clint Eastwood’s directorial debut, Play Misty for Me, to the voice of Malory Archer on the animated series Archer, to Emmy-nominated roles on Trapper John, M.D. and Streets of San Francisco. Walter won an Emmy for portraying the title character on the police drama series Amy Prentiss.

Arrested Development writer and producer John Levenstein said, “Jessica Walter never missed. If she didn’t get a laugh there was a problem with the script.”

Archer co-star Aisha Tyler wrote: “Jessica Walter was a queen in every way: kind, classy, incredibly talented, generous with love and support. And so insanely funny. She was the brilliant center of our universe. Sweet flight to you, dear Jessica. You were so loved, and we were so lucky to know you.” H. Jon Benjamin, who portrayed the titular Archer on the show, tweeted, “Jessica Walter was an unparalleled talent. So funny. So insanely good in everything she was in. Wonderful to be around. I will miss her.”