Jessica Walter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jessica Walter
Walter at the 2019 WonderCon
Born	(1941-01-31)January 31, 1941 New York City, U.S.
Died	March 24, 2021(2021-03-24) (aged 80) New York City, U.S.
Alma mater	Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1958–2021
Spouse(s)	Ross Bowman ​ ​ (m. 1966; div. 1978)​ Ron Leibman ​ ​ (m. 1983; died 2019)​
Children	1
Relatives	Richard Walter (brother)
Awards	Emmy Award
Signature

Jessica Walter (born January 31, 1941 – died March 24, 2021) was an American actress. She appeared in more than 170 movies, plays, and TV shows during her long career.

In movies, she was famous for playing a very intense fan in the 1971 Clint Eastwood film, Play Misty for Me. On television, she was well-known for her role as Lucille Bluth in the comedy show Arrested Development (from 2003–06 and 2013–19). She also provided the voice for Malory Archer in the animated series Archer (from 2009–21).

Jessica Walter won several awards for her TV work. This included a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in Amy Prentiss (1975). She was also nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. For her starring role in Play Misty for Me, she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.

After studying acting in New York City, Walter started her career on the Broadway stage. She won an award in 1963 for her excellent debut performance. She first appeared in a movie in 1964, a drama called Lilith. Later, she starred in the 1966 films Grand Prix and The Group. Critics praised her performances in both movies.

Throughout her career, Walter was often seen on American television. She played the main character in the police show Amy Prentiss. She also had a repeating role on Trapper John, M.D. and was a regular cast member for part of 90210. She voiced Fran Sinclair in the series Dinosaurs. Her role as the clever and sometimes tricky socialite Lucille Bluth in Arrested Development brought her a lot of new attention. She also did voice work for animated shows like Archer and Star vs. the Forces of Evil (2015–18).

Early life and family

Jessica Walter was born on January 31, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York City. Her mother, Esther, was a teacher. Her father, David Walter, was a musician and played in the NBC Symphony Orchestra. He went to New York City's High School of Performing Arts. Jessica's father came from a Polish-Jewish family. Her mother's family was Jewish and moved to the US from Russia in 1923. Her brother, Richard Walter, is a screenwriter.

Acting career highlights

Walter began her acting career on stage. In 1963, she won a Clarence Derwent Award for her first Broadway performance in Photo Finish. She soon moved to television, playing Julie Muranoon in the series Love of Life. While on Love of Life from 1962 to 1965, she also appeared in many other popular TV shows. These included Naked City, Route 66, and The Defenders. She also played Lorna Richmond in an episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour in 1964.

In 1964, Walter was in the first episode of the TV series Flipper. In 1966, she appeared in an episode of The Fugitive.

Film roles

Her most famous and praised movie role was in the Clint Eastwood-directed film, Play Misty for Me (1971). Walter played Evelyn, a young woman who was very intense and troubled. For her performance, Walter was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress – Drama. Film critic Roger Ebert said Walter was "unnervingly effective" in the role.

Other movies Walter appeared in during that time include Lilith (1964), Grand Prix (1966), and The Group (1966). She also had a small role in the 1988 horror film Child's Play. She originally voiced the doll Chucky, but her lines were later re-recorded by another actor.

Television success

During the 1970s, Walter had a recurring role on Trapper John, M.D. as Melanie McIntyre. She also starred in the series Amy Prentiss, which was a spin-off of Ironside. For this role, she won a Primetime Emmy Award.

In the 1990s, Walter voiced Fran Sinclair on the ABC comedy Dinosaurs. She also appeared on Just Shoot Me! as Eve Gallo.

Walter in 2008

From 2003 to 2006, she played the role of Lucille Bluth in the comedy series Arrested Development. Lucille was a clever and wealthy socialite. In 2005, Walter was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress - Comedy Series for this role. Even though she played Lucille so well, Walter said, "I'm nothing like Lucille. Nothing. My daughter will tell you. I'm really a very nice, boring person."

Arrested Development was very popular with critics but had low viewership on Fox, so it was canceled in 2006. However, Netflix brought the show back for a fourth season in 2013, where it became very popular. Walter returned for season five, which came out in 2018.

Walter with Arrested Development co-star Jason Bateman during a reunion in 2011

Walter played Tabitha Wilson on the first season of 90210 (2008-2009). She also guest-starred in an episode of Law & Order: SVU in 2009. From 2011 to 2012, she starred in the TV Land sitcom Retired at 35.

Walter also voiced the character Malory Archer on the FX animated series Archer. She mentioned that her performance in Arrested Development was a reason she was considered for the role of Malory.

Personal life

Jessica Walter was married to Ross Bowman from 1966 to 1978. They had one daughter, Brooke Bowman. Brooke is now a Senior Vice President of development at ABC Family. Walter also had one grandson.

In 1983, Walter married actor Ron Leibman. They were married until he passed away in 2019. Walter and Leibman worked together in the play Rumors. They also played a husband and wife in the movie Dummy (2003) and on an episode of Law & Order. Leibman also joined the cast of Archer, voicing her character's new husband.

Walter's mother raised her in the Jewish tradition. Walter later said she was not religious but "very Jewish in my heart."

Jessica Walter passed away in her sleep at her home in Manhattan on March 24, 2021. She was 80 years old.

Awards and nominations

See also

In Spanish: Jessica Walter para niños