Icon of comedy who was a real Touch of Class
TRIBUTES poured in for Hollywood actor George Segal yesterday, who died aged 87 from complications following a heart bypass.
Segal sparred with Richard Burton in Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? – which won him an Oscar nomination – romanced Glenda Jackson in A Touch Of Class and won laughs in nostalgic TV sitcom The Goldbergs.
Announcing his death, his wife Sonia said: “The family is devastated to announce that this morning George Segal passed away due to complications from bypass surgery.”
With a natural charm and charisma, Segal excelled in dramatic and comedic roles and also had a life-long passion for the banjo.
The New Yorker’s career began on stage and TV in the early 1960s.
But he cemented his star status in a string of films in the 1970s, including Fun With Dick And Jane, The Owl And The Pussycat, The Hot Rock, California Split, Blume In Love and The Last Married Couple In America.
His most famous role was in the harrowing 1966 drama Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? based on Edward Albee’s acclaimed play.
The entire cast was nominated for Oscars: Elizabeth Taylor and Burton for starring roles, Sandy Dennis and Segal for supporting performances. The women won, the men did not.
Segal said: “Elizabeth and Richard were the king and queen of the world at that moment and there was a lot of buzz about it. For me, there was a great satisfaction of being involved.” To younger audiences, he was known for his TV roles in Just Shoot Me and as Pops in E4’s The Goldbergs.
He once said: “I always try to find the humour and the irony in whatever character I am playing because I think of myself as a comedic actor.”
Barbra Streisand said: “We had such fun making The Owl And The Pussycat.” Actor Ben Stiller said: “What a nice man, what an iconic cool funny movie star.” Goldbergs creator Adam Goldberg said: “George was a kid at heart with a magical spark.”
Segal is also survived by daughters Polly and Elizabeth.