In an industry notoriously hostile to older women, ageing into your greatest roles is a remarkable achievement.
Jessica Walter, who died in her sleep at the age of 80, enjoyed steady work throughout her six-decade career in film and television. But it wasn’t until she stepped into the tasteful kitten heels of Lucille Bluth on Arrested Development at the age of 62 that her talents as a comedic actor became widely celebrated.
Jessica Walter never missed. If she didn’t get a laugh there was a problem with the script.
— John Levenstein (@johnlevenstein) March 25, 2021
Through her ability to embody upperclass notions of graceful ageing – and then viciously undercut them with a single eye-roll or series of subtle winks – she transformed herself into an icon, and one of the internet’s favourite avatars.
watch a Star War today
— Nerdist (@nerdist) March 25, 2021
For Jessica Walter pic.twitter.com/0ItTzmM8ro
George Lindsay Lucille Bluth chicken dance #ArrestedDevelopmentpic.twitter.com/15ziJcITJu
— lite (@iwaoiya) September 28, 2020
Even if you’ve never seen an episode of Arrested Development – or the animated series Archer, where she plays a similarly stiff WASP mother with ice-cold martinis running through her veins – it was impossible to be ignorant of her work.
“I would cry but I don’t think I could spare the moisture” my heart hurts at the passing of this queen 💙 #JessicaWalter pic.twitter.com/GXsn3NbQQb
— CaturdayNightInTheCity (@AbigailNokomis) March 26, 2021
All it took was a few scrolls on Twitter, or a glance at a gif-peppered listicle, and there she was, wondering about the price of bananas (“What could it cost? $10?”), heading to the hospital bar (and on hearing there isn’t one: “This is why people hate hospitals”) or ordering family-restaurant Klimpy’s (“I don’t understand the question, and I won’t respond to it”).
Truly, we have lost a comedy icon. For me, it will always be this moment. Great writing plus perfect performance = chef’s kiss 🍌 #JessicaWalter pic.twitter.com/ViIk5mPsQA
— Brona C. Titley (@bronactitley) March 25, 2021
Honestly so saddened at this loss. Jessica Walter was a masterclass in comedic timing and searing delivery. Truly an icon and will be so missed. Raising a glass to Lucille tonight 💔 https://t.co/PlYVqAlOfg pic.twitter.com/O6m1s92Ym0
— Piya Sinha-Roy (@PiyaSRoy) March 25, 2021
Through Walter’s work, people found a way to express everything from joy to nihilism. She became a way of clapping back, shutting down and even celebrating.
jessica walter as lucille bluth: a relatable moodboard pic.twitter.com/MngExsu3sP
— paul rudd (@philsadelphia) March 26, 2021
some of the best lines ever in tv, full stop pic.twitter.com/argaIDG54E
— Fletcher Peters (@fIetcherpeters) March 25, 2021
A series of short, looping videos may not be considered a conventional legacy, but to convey so much in so little time is a mark of exceptional talent.
Lucille Bluth eyeroll is one of my go to response gifs.
— Chris with the Great and Unmatched Wisdom (@CL_on_the_DL) March 25, 2021
RIP. pic.twitter.com/eKwrjrObsr
