Touch of class
Hollywood tributes to George Segal, 87
I always try to find humour in characters that I play
HOLLYWOOD paid tribute to actor George Segal yesterday, who – like the title of one of his films – brought A Touch of Class to his work.
The 87-year-old was also known for appearing alongside Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in 1966 black comedy-drama Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? for which he got an Oscar nomination.
He was a leading man through the 70s but his career flagged in the 80s.
George later reflected ruefully: “I was guilty of spoiled behaviour. It’s impossible when that star rush comes not to get a little full of yourself.”
But his star rose again in his later years and he was cast in US sitcoms, as Albert “Pops” Solomon in The Goldbergs and Jack Gallo in Just Shoot Me.
He would often play genial, fatherly or everyman-type characters.
Reflecting on his work, he said: “I always try to find the humour and irony in whatever character I am playing... I think of myself as a comedic actor.
“So that makes drama a lot more fun for me, by not taking it so seriously.”
His third wife Sonia said George died on Tuesday in Santa Rosa, California, “due to complications from bypass surgery”. Actor Ben Stiller paid tribute to his The Cable Guy co-star yesterday, tweeting: “What a career. What a nice man, what an iconic, cool, funny 70s movie star.” Singer Barbara Streisand said:
“So sorry to hear about George’s passing. We had such fun making Owl and the Pussycat. “May he rest in peace.” Goldbergs creator Adam F Goldberg said: “It was a true honour being a... part of George’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.”
George had also charmed audiences in 1973 romcom a Touch of Class, starring with British actress Glenda Jackson.
Born in New York, George was the youngest of the four children of George Segal, a hop and malt agent, and Fannie.
The multi-talented performer played banjo with Bruno Lynch and his Imperial Jazz Band before enrolling at
GENIAL GEORGE Actor was known for his warmth
Columbia University to study drama. His fledgling acting career was cut short by three years of military service before his film debut The Young Doctors in 1961.
He portrayed Nick in the Mike Nichols-directed Virginia Woolf film and said of the experience: “There was a great satisfaction of being involved with it. Elizabeth and Richard were the king and queen of the world at that moment and there was a lot of buzz about it.”
Wendi McLendon-Covey, his co-star in The Goldbergs, said she was “grateful” to have worked with him.
Patton Oswalt, another star of the show, said: “He was such a sweetie.”
Melissa Joan Hart, titular star of Sabrina The Teenage Witch, directed Segal in an episode of The Goldbergs and called him a “true gem”.
It is believed the final episode of the eight-season sitcom, to be broadcast next month, will be dedicated to George.
He leaves two daughters from his first marriage to Marion, which lasted 27 years until 1983. His second wife Linda died in 1996 and he later married high school sweetheart Sonia.
His manager, Abe Hoch, said he was “saddened”, adding: “I will miss his warmth, humour, camaraderie and friendship. He was a wonderful human.”
GEORGE SEGAL ON HIS ACTING CAREER