RIP Lucille Bluth

Lucille Bluth is one of the greatest characters in sitcom history. Just so perfectly casted, every line she delivered was spot on and for my money was the glue that held Arrested Development together. And the actress that delivered those lines was Jessica Walter, who has died at the age of 80 in New York City:

DL - Jessica Walter, the award-winning actress whose career spanned five decades, passed away in her sleep at home in New York City on Wednesday, March 24. She was 80. 

Walter’s career included everything from a standout turn in Clint Eastwood’s directorial debut, Play Misty for Me, to The Flamingo Kid and her Emmy-nominated turns on Trapper John M..D. and Streets of San Francisco. For her performance as Lucille Bluth in Arrested Development, Walter earned yet another Emmy nomination (Outstanding Supporting Actress) and two SAG nominations.

Walter is survived by daughter Brooke Bowman, who is SVP Drama Programming at Fox Entertainment, and grandson Micah Heymann.

Bowman said in a statement: “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of my beloved mom Jessica. A working actor for over six decades, her greatest pleasure was bringing joy to others through her storytelling both on screen and off. While her legacy will live on through her body of work, she will also be remembered by many for her wit, class and overall joie de vivre.”

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

Sad day for sure when an icon like this passes. I remember the first time I watched Arrested Development- it had so much internet hype after being cancelled and then reaching cult status on Netflix that I had no idea what to expect when I hit play. Season 1 was as advertised, but nothing made me laugh harder than Lucille. RIP to the legend.