Jessica Walter (1941-2021)
Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 8:08PM by Nathaniel R
Showbiz lost another great this week as Jessica Walter passed away at 80 years of age. Her sensational and much-memed performance of smug, biting, privileged Lucille Bluth in Arrested Development, will live forever but it was just a small portion of her long career...
Despite reports that Walter was nothing like the character, she appeared to pull it off effortlessly. Still consider, if you will, that the actress had decades in Hollywood to observe ownership of rooms, extreme narcissism, and über-moneyed confidence even if her performance (and Arrested Development's superb writing) did the genius comic twisting.
She worked with major legends early on in the movies: Clint Eastwood, Charlton Heston, Warren Beatty, James Garner. And formidable women, too, especially on TV: Christine Baranski, Angela Lansbury, Candice Bergen, Holly Hunter.
her screen debut opposite Warren Beatty in "Lilith"
romantically paired with James Garner in "Grand Prix"
with Christine Baranski in the Broadway run of "Rumors"
Golden globe Best Actress nomination for "Play Misty For Me"
Lucille may have been the sozzled cream on top of her career but there was even a cherry on top of that. After Lucille came Malory, another boozy take-no-prisoners mother. Her voice work on all 11 seasons of Archer as the lead mom and boss Malory Archer was utter perfection and in some ways an alternate universe winking mirror to Lucille. Much has been made of Jessica's superb comic timing, and the big laughs she could wring from something as simple as a wink or a glass lift but in Archer, deprived of both her face and gestural comedy, she still sold every joke for all it was worth.
What a delicious final double act Lucille and Malory were. In a just-right reversal of emotional fortune, this actress was as warmly beloved playing coldly unloveable mothers, as it was possible to imagine.
What is your favourite Lucille Bluth moment? And do you have other favourite Jessica Walter performances?
Archer, Arrested Development, Jessica Walter, RIP, TV, comedy
Reader Comments (25)
Malory Archer
She was terrific. RIP.
She and her husband were on a great Law & Order where he plays a mob lawyer and she pleads with Jack not to prosecute. Terrific stuff!
I'm saddened by her loss but am thankful for all the incredible work she's left.
The Group (1966) doesn't get talked enough when discussing any of it's central actors and for me its Walter who shines most in that incredible ensemble of women. Candice is now the last surviving member of the titular group of that film and it just shows how we are losing these legendary stars of great films and it's tragic.
Play Misty for Me is easily her greatest turn and similar to many stalker women who followed she's electrifying. We'd have no Alex Forest without her Evelyn.
The combination of Malory and Lucile being her final big projects is a great way to leave us that not many actors are afforded.
I will always love her chicken impression.
Evelyn Draper was 16 years earlier than the arrival of Alex Forrest and absolutely terrifying. The cries of Birdie, the victim of the knife wielding psycho Evelyn, were haunting. I remember each time I saw it in the theater. I reveled in the glory of Jessica Walter's unstable fixation on DJ Dave Garner. The audience's cries of surprise and fear as Evelyn's campaign of violence grew ever more horrific made me shiver.
Walter was perfection. I knew she could never best the brilliance of Jane Fonda in Klute but no one expected Janet Suzman in the snoozer Nicholas and Alexandra to rob Walter of her most deserved Best Actress Oscar nomination.
If you haven't seen Play Misty for Me, you have a treat awaiting you.
One of my first memories at the drive-in was being terrorized by Evelyn Draper. Jessica made that character absolutely real and unpredictable. Brilliant work. Be at peace, Jessica.
She may have come to initial prominence through the films The Group and Play Misty for Me but for over 50 years series television and TV movies were her bread and butter and she could always be counted on the make the best of even the most rote material.
Always a "name actress" it's wonderful that after 40 years as a journeyman performer she achieved a whole new level of fame with Arrested Development, much deserved.
Her passing is sad but she appears to have had a good life and was active right up until the last.
I love her in ARCHER so much. She'll be missed.
I will always remember her from "Play Misty For Me", superb is not sufficient enough to describe her performance: 'I hope Dave likes what he sees when he gets here. Because that's what he's taking to Hell with him!"
All my respect for the first Alex Forrest.
It's sad to hear Jessica Walter has passed away, but it's so great to have her work. What a talent. And one can imagine she was nothing like the cold characters she played. Her eyes radiated warmth. One of the things that makes her so terrifying in Play Misty for Me, for example, is how ready Evelyn is to be loved before things turn sour. It's there from her first scene. R.I.P.
Her best known screen role as Evelyn Draper in Play Misty For Me was in 1971, 50 years ago! Lovely, marvelous actress.
"It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.
--from "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe"
The haunting poem partially recited by Evelyn Draper, unforgettably played by Jessica Walter, toward the film's end, in "Play Misty For Me".
I can't believe it. She always radiated energy and warmth. Lucille Bluth should have earned her at least one Emmy win out of 4 nominations, aa far as I'm concerned. It's unfortunate that final news about her before this were about Jeffrey Tambor treating her terrible on set and some of the cast trying to defend him.
Lucille: I need a Vodka.
Michael: Mom, it's breakfast.
Lucille: And a piece of toast.
LOL
I am going to miss her so much! I always thought Lucille Bluth was the best character on ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT and Jessica Walter performed the hell out of it. I would have given her all the awards for that performance.
Agreed, Bhuray - hands down the best character on AD!
I mean honestly, Michael, how much could a banana cost? 10 dollars?
Saw her sing on televsiion decades ago and she was terrific. Always thought she'd have made a terrific Rose in "Gypsy" had she steered her career in that direction.
@James: Amen to that!
Lucille Bluth was one of the most iconic television characters IN TELEVISION HISTORY! Jessica Walter's legacy will forever be assured. I'm terribly saddened by her loss and didn't realize she was ill. RIP Legend.
Ive found myself watching Lucille Bluth compilations on YouTube more times than I feel comfortable admitting. I don’t regret any second. RIP
"I don't care for Gob"
Firmly placed in my lexicon.
Thank you for the laughs Jessica Walter. A true legend.
Love her Lucille Bluth. This fucking year! >_<
Evelyn Draper: "Yeah, get lost a**holes!"
"How'd you like to go screw yourself?"
"You're nothing! You're not even good in bed! I just felt sorry for you, that's all! Ba**tard! You poor, pathetic ba**tard!"
Jessica Walter has the performance of a lifetime in "Play Misty For Me" - will be deeply missed.
Such an amazing actress.