The year 2020 exposed itself to be devastating, full of loss crumbled with major adjustments, 2019 could not have prepared us for the amount change. Including the loss of our favourite “tv dad” George Segal.
Classic roles in “Just Shoot Me” starring as Jack Gallo and Pops Solomon in “The Goldbergs” are sitcoms actor George Segal were known for including his nomination in 1996 film “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf”. The tv veteran died at the age of 87 as reported by his wife Sonia Segal, due to complications from bypass surgery on Tuesday. Sonia says: “The family is devastated to announce that this morning George Segal passed away in Santa Rosa, California due to complications following surgery. Born in Great Neck, New York on February 13, 1934, his mother was a housewife, and father a malt-and-hops agent, Segal was the youngest of four children.
Fun fact, Segal was also a musician, he enjoyed playing the ukulele and the banjo, and recorded an album of banjo music with his group The Imperial Jazz Band and performed on The Tonight Show as well. Goldberg’s show creator Adam F Goldberg took to Twitter saying: “Today we lost a legend. It was a true honor being a small part of George Segal’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”. His personal friend and long-time manager Abe Hoch was quoted saying: “I am saddened by the fact that my close friend and client of many years has passed away. “I will miss his warmth, humor, camaraderie and friendship. He was a wonderful human.”
George Segal spoke about his career in an interview with the online movie journal filmtalk saying : “ 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, so that makes drama a lot more fun for me by not taking it so seriously, you know.” He credited an early appearance on the late-night talk show The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson for his switch to comedic roles. Segal didn’t consider retiring as they kept offering him interesting roles.