I Have EVERYTHING I Could Want
The comedic actress tells Closer how she’s balanced her work and family
From her unforgettable turns as Clint Eastwood’s stalker in Play Misty for Me to her incorrigible matriarch Lucille Bluth on Arrested Development, Jessica Walter has made a nearly 60year career out of playing distinctive, clever women who leave their mark. “I’ve never been offered the role of the girl who rode off into the sunset with John Wayne,” Jessica, 76, quips to Closer. “I’ve usually been typecast in edgy roles which lean towards the villainous…except for The Love Boat!” She even plays a cartoon spy on the animated FXX series Archer, which just wrapped its eighth season. But offscreen, she’s definitely more of a heroine: This year she celebrates 34 years of marriage to fellow Emmywinning actor Ron Leibman (Kaz, Norma Rae), 79, and together they raised Jessica’s TV exec daughter, Brooke, 45, from her first marriage. They’re now grandparents to Brooke’s son, Micah, 3. “Ron and I laugh a lot,” she says. And unlike the troubled women she plays, Jessica has no complaints. “I’m blessed with a wonderful marriage, a daughter and grandson that I adore,” she says. “I don’t know what more I could have. I have everything!” — Gregg Goldstein
You’ve played over 150 parts in film and TV. Is voicing Malory on Archer tougher or easier than playing a live part?
You have to be a bit broader, but I don’t find it harder. We base all of our characters on the truth of the scene. I never thought I’d be on for eight years. I just feel like the luckiest person ever to have this job!
What was it like having your husband, Ron, play your husband as a guest star?
The good thing about working with your spouse, if you have a good marriage, is you know that person has your back!
Would you be up for another project together?
Oh, yes. But Ron’s been teaching acting in the graduate division of the New School here in NYC for many years. I don’t know that he wants to act that much anymore. He is so in love with teaching.
How did you two meet?
Through a wonderful actress friend of mine, Brenda Vaccaro. Remember her? Brenda is a great force. She was doing a movie with Ron in Mexico called Zorro, The Gay Blade, so she invited Ron to spend the Christmas break week at her house in LA. She introduced us.
How did you know you were a match?
He was divorced [from actress Linda Lavin] and I was divorced [from TV director Ross Bowman], so it was perfect.
Brenda said, “Let’s all go out for Chinese. We’ll invite Ron, you don’t have to marry him.” Then she said to Ron, “You’re going to have to marry her.” So of course, we got married. [Laughs]
Was it tough to work after you had Brooke during your first marriage?
To me, it was really important to have a child. She was always the priority, so it really wasn’t difficult. And being an actress, there are periods where you’re available all the time. When she was born, I was doing [the series] Amy Prentiss and I’d bring her and the housekeeper to work. My mom would fly into LA…. You make what you want to happen, happen. That’s my theory.
What do you think has made you so successful for so long?
This business is not easy. There’s a lot of personal rejection. It’s not because you can’t type. It’s how you look, come across to people — your whole being. You have to develop a second skin. Maybe that’s what making it is: If you persevere and get past all the negatives, then you’ll still be around.
Which roles do fans recognize you for?
Mostly Arrested Development — it seems to have a lot of fans, especially in New York. Play Misty for Me, too, a bit. Arrested was a great series and [we’re doing] another season soon [set to air on Netflix in 2018]. It looks good, but I could have said that last year, too. I’d do it again in a minute!
What’s been so great about working on that series?
The writing — once again, it always comes down to the writing — and very talented people in the cast. It’s fun!
A lot of your characters seem dissatisfied, but you have such a healthy, positive attitude. Is there a life motto that you live by?
Well, I once heard something I can’t take credit for. It’s about wanting what I have, not having what I want. It makes sense to me. What’s here is here, and I’m not looking outside.
“My grandson’s middle name is Walter. Isn’t that nice? I’m so happy about it.”
— Jessica, with Micah
Are you enjoying life as a grandma?
We were just out [in California] for Passover. Unfortunately for me, all of my relatives are out there. Micah’s going to be 4 in July. He’s so smart and adorable, you could just eat him up with a spoon. The cutest. This is not just Granny talking. I never thought I’d be the old grandmother who talks like this, but I’m telling you, what a joy!
What’s your life like today?
Our fantasy was always to have a house in the country that wasn’t too far away from Ron’s apartment in Manhattan [and we do]. It is just beautiful up there.
Sounds like you’re very content.
Well, you know, I still get a little crazed once in a while. I can’t deny it. But I have a lot of energy, and I guess that’s what keeps me going! [Laughs] — Reporting by Ilyssa Panitz