In the wake of George Segal’s death on Tuesday, Hollywood stars took to social media to share memories and tributes to the Oscar-nominated film and television actor.
He died of complications from bypass surgery, his wife, Sonia, said. Segal was 87.
The actor was most associated with playing brainy, neurotic characters in comedies such as Fun With Dick and Jane and The Owl and the Pussycat. In 1967, he was nominated for an Oscar for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.
Barbra Streisand, who starred opposite Segal in The Owl and the Pussycat, tweeted a photo of the two of them together and wrote, “So sorry to hear about George Segal’s passing. We had such fun making Owl and the Pussycat. May he Rest In Peace…”
He starred for seven seasons on the NBC workplace comedy Just Shoot Me! as publisher Jack Gallo.
Segal’s most recent role was Albert “Pops” Solomon in sitcom The Goldbergs.
The Goldbergs creator Adam Goldberg shared on Twitter, “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 … “
The ABC show included a brief tribute to the actor on Wednesday night.
Thank you for everything, Pops. pic.twitter.com/XxvUBcgC6H
— The Goldbergs (@TheGoldbergsABC) March 25, 2021
“My personal favorite George Segal movie is “The Hot Rock,” tweeted Ben Stiller. “What a career. What a nice man, what an iconic cool funny 70’s movie star. #RIP.”
Among the other stars who shared on social media, Melissa Joan Hart wrote, “Shocked and saddened to hear of #GeorgeSegal passing away! From being on set of #JustShootMe to directing him on #Goldbergs, he was a true gem and great man. He will be missed!”
Segal’s Love & Other Drugs co-star Josh Gad also shared a message. “So beyond sad and heartbroken to say goodbye to my film dad, the late, great #GeorgeSegal – I was so starstruck on set. To my surprise he not only let me ask him about all of his incredible experiences but indulged me in stories I could have never possibly imagined. RIP.”
David A. Goodman, president of the Writers Guild of America, West, wrote on Twitter, “I was in a writers room once about 20 years ago and George Segal suddenly walked in and said, “Are these the writers? I want to meet the writers!” He shook hands with all of us and then left. RIP.”
Writer-producer Larry Charles shared on Twitter, “Though he was a brilliant comedian, when I think of movies like California Split or Blume in Love or Terminal Man or Born to Win I think of George Segal as one of our most underrated and versatile actors. #RIPGeorgeSegal.”
View these reactions and more, below.
Tomorrow's Stars Yesterday: George Segal, 1965.https://t.co/cmsQeSUKf3 pic.twitter.com/wAbA6xdw7Y
— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) March 23, 2021
I was in a writers room once about 20 years ago and George Segal suddenly walked in and said “Are these the writers? I want to meet the writers!” He shook hands with all of us and then left. RIP.
— David A. Goodman (@DavidAGoodman) March 24, 2021
George Segal in Where’s Poppa was one of the biggest laughs I have ever had in a movie. He was a great actor. Too many of these type of posts lately. RIP George!
— Ed Asner (@TheOnlyEdAsner) March 24, 2021
Dearest George Segal, thank you for the chance to play your daughter in “It’s My Party.” You were just the best and so lovely to me. My love to your wife and family. RIP dear, sweet George. pic.twitter.com/81x1G5Oy6o
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) March 24, 2021
Shocked and saddened to hear of #GeorgeSegal passing away!
From being on set of #JustShootMe to directing him on #Goldbergs, he was a true gem and great man. He will be missed! https://t.co/1SvToqUEGH— Melissa Joan Hart (@MelissaJoanHart) March 24, 2021
My personal favorite George Segal movie is “The Hot Rock”. What a career. What a nice man, what an iconic cool funny 70’s movie star. #RIP
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) March 24, 2021
Though he was a brilliant comedian, when I think of movies like California Split or Blume In Love or Terminal Man or Born To Win I think of George Segal as one of our most underrated and versatile actors. #RIPGeorgeSegal pic.twitter.com/R66Qqon4Vo
— Larry Charles (@larrycharlesism) March 24, 2021
So sad about the loss of George Segal. I grew up loving his films, from “Where’s Poppa?” to Sidney Lumet’s “Bye Bye Braverman,” to “The Hot Rock.” I got to work with him several times. This was last year at lunch. My deep sympathies to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/HgQ6Z63kXO
— bob saget (@bobsaget) March 24, 2021
Dang it… this guy was one of THE ALL TIME MENSCHES… sweetheart through and through…. & a really fun poker buddy to boot. Rest In Peace George. ❤️#georgesegal https://t.co/QpXmOh8Vz6
— Katherine LaNasa (@LadyLaNasa) March 24, 2021
George Segal has gone now. A career that kept going for 50+ because he loved it and he was great at it. RIP
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) March 24, 2021
My friend, who had an amazing and wonderful life. And who luckily wasn't a terrific poker player. RIP #georgesegal, godspeed. pic.twitter.com/SokVxnmG0f
— Willie Garson 🇺🇸 (@WillieGarson) March 24, 2021
RIP George Segal. Basically everything he did was iconic, he represents the 1970s. But California Split is the one. It’s a masterpiece. One of my all-time favorite films that combines the two absolute best of the decade with Altman and the wonderful world of degenerate gambling. pic.twitter.com/PaD9MNy1iY
— Sean O'Connor (@seanoconnz) March 24, 2021
So beyond sad and heartbroken to say goodbye to my film dad, the late, great #GeorgeSegal – I was so starstruck on set. To my surprise he not only let me ask him about all of his incredible experiences but indulged me in stories I could have never possibly imagined. RIP 🙏 pic.twitter.com/LcIeOXof1c
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) March 24, 2021
Rest In Peace, George Segal, a movie star who commanded our attention while still seeming like one of us. I loved so many of his films: California Split, The Hot Rock, Blume in Love, A Touch of Class, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. 🙏❤️
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) March 24, 2021
I'm so lucky I got to meet, and know George. Favorite actor from the seventies. so charming, so humble. RIPhttps://t.co/HrhVnUI1xK
— Fred Stoller (@Fred_Stoller) March 24, 2021
Oh no. RIP #GeorgeSegal https://t.co/Ef1sWVTGZP
— Michael Seitzman (@michaelseitzman) March 24, 2021
R.I.P George Segal. A true giant, oh how you made us laugh. 🙏♥️ https://t.co/E4KjTqjgRD
— Samantha Mathis (@samanthamathis) March 24, 2021
Aw! Rip #GeorgeSegal. I used to play poker with him at Norby Walters weekly game. Just a great vibrant man with a wonderfully dry sense of humor. https://t.co/np1B7egQrJ
— Jennifer Tilly (@JenniferTilly) March 24, 2021
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
RIP to the great George Segal, a warm, welcome presence in everything from WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? (for which he received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination) to A TOUCH OF CLASS to most recently, THE GOLDBERGS.
Thanks for all you shared with us, George. pic.twitter.com/iBuGgR0MQD
— The Black List (@theblcklst) March 24, 2021
So sorry to hear of the passing of the wonderful George Segal! We did The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood together & I guested on Just Shoot Me. One of a kind and always a joy! #RIPGeorge #RIPGeorgeSegal 💔💔 pic.twitter.com/fEZpQSUkBU
— Morgan Fairchild (@morgfair) March 24, 2021
When I think of George Segal, the first movie that comes to mind is Where’s Poppa? A strange and hilarious dark comedy, also starring one of my other favs – Ruth Gordon. Check it out if you haven’t seen it. I saw it 30 years ago and still remember most of it. RIP Mr. Segal pic.twitter.com/L2xdhjl0eN
— Clay Kaytis (@ClayKaytis) March 24, 2021
RIP 💔 pic.twitter.com/oD94LskAQo
— Alex Winter (@Winter) March 24, 2021
So sad to hear or #georgesegal passing. I loved working with him on #CarolineintheCity and directed him recently on @TheGoldbergsABC he was class talent and a gift to us all #rip friend. pic.twitter.com/8z7u6FsXt1
— Lea Thompson (@LeaKThompson) March 24, 2021
I had the pleasure of working with the talented #georgesegal on #SVU in an episode I am super proud of. We tackled the destructive issue of reparative therapy. I miss issue oriented television. Thank you, George. pic.twitter.com/a6gUxmCUqX
— Tara Butters🦋🦋🦋🦋 (@breadandbutters) March 24, 2021
Aww man, not George. I grew up watching him, total old school charm, effortless comedic timing. Doing scenes with him was one of the highlights of my life, but getting to know him a little and making the legend laugh was even cooler. I’ll miss you, sir. RIP George Segal. pic.twitter.com/JRtOirWThl
— Brian Posehn (@thebrianposehn) March 24, 2021
So sorry to hear about George Segal‘s passing. We had such fun making Owl and the Pussycat. May he Rest In Peace…
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) March 24, 2021
George Segal was a wonderful actor and a lovely, charming, funny man. Thanks for all you left us, sir.#RIPGeorgeSegal
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) March 24, 2021
George Segal was everything. I met him at Norby’s poker games. Always charming. Kind. Witty. Mysterious. A hell of an actor. I spoke to him two weeks ago. We were gonna meet at Greenblatts on Sunset next time I’m in LA. Hope there’s a good deli in heaven. Love you George. pic.twitter.com/4Ww5KBkhMU
— Matthew Modine (@MatthewModine) March 24, 2021
In 2005, I got to be in a couple scenes w #GeorgeSegal and James Marsden in Chris Terrio’s first film #Heights and it is, still, one of my favorite days ever working. A gem. We were in awe. And man, he made us laugh. #RIP
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) March 24, 2021
Farewell to the hugely talented & prolific George Segal, a brilliant comic and dramatic actor in more great movies than you can tackle in 140 characters. Some personal favs: The Hot Rock, Where's Poppa? The Terminal Man, California Split, Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? RIP… pic.twitter.com/nbPReKWieu
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) March 24, 2021
RIP TO A SENSITIVE EVERYMAN LEGEND. A BEAST OF AN ACTOR, GEORGE SEGAL. pic.twitter.com/HUlmCU6wtX
— SAFDIE (@JOSH_BENNY) March 24, 2021
George Segal has gone now. A career that kept going for 50+ because he loved it and he was great at it. RIP
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) March 24, 2021
George Segal made some great films – “Virginia Woolf”“California Split” “Born To Win”… but tonight in his honor I’m digging out my 35mm print of his rarely screened “The Black Bird” – 1975’s forgotten comedy homage to “The Maltese Falcon” pic.twitter.com/36vcPbmlSQ
— Larry Karaszewski (@Karaszewski) March 24, 2021
RIP Jolly #GeorgeSegal. Met this legend on @TheGoldbergsABC. Was honored to speak for him the day he got his ⭐️. Told story about how my Mom was a big fan – so much so that my jealous Dad once snapped “If you love GeorgeSegal so much why don’t you fuck him, Grace?” Farewell Pops. pic.twitter.com/MxkoVkl7Uo
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) March 24, 2021
