Emmy Award winning Arrested Development actress Jessica Walter dies ages 80

Hollywood legend Jessica Walter has died, aged 80.

Walter’s daughter, Brooke Bowman, confirmed the news of her passing in a statement.

“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of my beloved mum Jessica,’ it read.

“A working actor for over six decades, her greatest pleasure was bringing joy to others through her storytelling both on screen and off. While her legacy will live on through her body of work, she will also be remembered by many for her wit, class and overall joie de vivre.”

Career spanning 6 decades

In a career spanning over 60 years. Walter was seen on both the big screen and the small, from her standout performance in Clint Eastwood’s Play Misty for Me, to her Emmy-nominated turns on Trapper John M..D. and Streets of San Francisco.

Walter won praise for her comedic performance on the TV series Arrested Development, where she played the millionaire, controlling housewife, Lucille Bluth. Walter earned a Emmy nomination for the role in 2005.

Walter won a Primetime Emmy award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for her performance as the title character in Amy Prentiss.

The star also appeared in Murder She Wrote, Babylon 5, Three’s A Crowd, The Magician, and the Big Band Theory.

Beginning her career on stage, she won an award for her Broadway performance in Photo Finish in 1963. Walter starred in the Broadway revival of Anything Goes, which picked up several Tony nominations.

Deadline states that the family has also asked that donations are made to charity Guide Dogs for the Blind, instead of flowers.

Tributes from co-stars

Arrested Development star Tony Hale - who played her on-screen son Buster- was the first to pay tribute to the actress.

The actor posted a selfie of the pair on set to Instagram, alongside the message: “She was a force, and her talent and timing were unmatched.

“Rest in Peace Mama Bluth.”