Jessica Walter honored by famous fans and co-stars from Archer and Arrested Development

The acting world is in mourning on Thursday after comedy legend Jessica Walter passed away at 80 years of age, as tributes have been pouring in on social media.

While Walter has a career spanning over six decades, she’s best known to most fans from her work on Netflix’s Arrested Development and FX’s Archer.

Co-stars such as Jason Bateman, Aisha Tyler, H. Jon Benjamin, Tony Hale and many more paid tribute to the iconic actress, to name just a few, while it was also confirmed that Walter will appear on the upcoming 12th season of Archer.

The official Archer Twitter posted a heartfelt statement after the passing of Walter, from Archer creator Adam Reed.

‘The Archer family is heartbroken to lose Jessica Walter, our beloved colleague and friend,’ the statement began. 

‘Jessica was a consummate professional, an actor’s actor, and the exact opposite of Malory Archer – warm, caring, and kind, with an absolutely cracking sense of humor – and it was both a privilege and a true honor to work with her over these many years. She will be greatly missed, but never forgotten,’ he concluded.

A report from Deadline confirmed that Walter was still recording for the upcoming 12th season of Archer, due out later this year.

She reportedly worked on the show right up until the end, with a friend stating, ‘She loved that show so much and was grateful for it every day.’ 

There is no indication yet how many episodes she’ll appear in the 12th season of Archer, where she plays Mallory Archer.

Most of her Archer co-stars released heartfelt statements about her passing, including H. Jon Benjamin, who played her on-screen son, Sterling Archer.

‘Jessica Walter was an unparalleled talent. So funny. So insanely good in everything she was in. Wonderful to be around. I will miss her,’ he said.

Lucky Yates, who voices Doctor Krieger on the hit animated series, retweeted Benjamin, adding, ‘Same. #RIP.’

Aisha Tyler, who voices spy Lana Kane on Archer, added, ‘Jessica Walter was a queen in every way: kind, classy, incredibly talented, generous with love & support.’

‘And so insanely funny. She was the brilliant center of our @archerfxx universe. Sweet flight to you, dear Jessica. You were so loved, and we were so lucky to know you,’ she added, with a broken heart emoji. 

Amber Nash, who voiced Pam Poovey on Archer, took to Instagram, with a photo of Walter flashing a wry smile at a Q&A panel while the rest of the cast cracked up.

‘This picture says it all. I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with and know Jessica,’ Amber began.

‘She would wait for a moment and then blow us all out of the water with the funniest thing you’ve ever heard. I learned so much from Jessica. A classy gal indeed,’ she concluded.

Her Arrested Development cast members also chimed in, including executive producer/narrator Ron Howard, who said, ‘What a brilliant, funny, intelligent and strong woman. RIP Jessica Walter, and thank you for a lifetime of laughs and for sharing your incrdible talent on our show and with the world.’ 

Jason Bateman, who played one of Walter’s on-screen sons Michael Bluth on Arrested Development, also took to Twitter with a tribute.

‘R.I.P. Jessica Walter. What an incredible career, filled with amazing performances,’ Bateman began.

‘I will forever remember my time with her, watching her bring Lucille Bluth to life. She was one of a kind. All my love and thoughts to her family,’ Bateman concluded. 

Another Arrested co-star, Tony Hale, who played Buster Bluth, shared a photo of the two together, adding, ‘She was a force, and her talent and timing were unmatched. Rest In Peace Mama Bluth.’ 

Will Arnett, who played Gob Bluth on the hit show, added, ‘Jessica Walter was a deeply talented person. We first met on a pilot in ’96 and I was instantly blown away.’

‘I’m fortunate enough to have had a front row seat to her brilliance for 25 years. My thoughts are with her daughter Brooke and grandson Micah today. Farewell, Jessica. You’ll be missed,’ he concluded.

Alia Shawkat, who played Maeby Funke on the show, shared a throwback snap of Walters, with a broken heart emoji, adding, ‘love you Gangie #jessicawalters.’

Others paying tribute to Walters included rapper Biz Markie, who said, ‘RIP Jessica Walter. I don’t know if an actor ever conveyed more with a wink.’

‘Her Lucille Bluth was the best satire of the smug rich ever done. Her voice all transatlantic arrogance, vodka delusion and charming ignorance. The Motherboy episode alone, my God. True comic genius,’ he concluded.

The official Arrested Development Twitter added a snap of Walter, stating, ‘For the loveliest girl in the world: Mother.’

Actress Dylan Gelula shared a snap of her with Walter from their 2014 series Jennifer Falls, one of her first projects.

‘Jessica played my grandmother on one of my 1st jobs in 2014. I got to meet one of the sharpest funniest hardest working actors I’ll ever know right out of the gate. Once she turned to me and said “Don’t let them f**k with you”. I’m still not positive what she meant but she was right,’ Gelula said.

Jonathan Frakes shared a throwback snap of him with Walter, adding, ‘R.I.P. Jessica Walter One of the funniest people I’ve ever had the privilege to work with.’ 

Amber Tamblyn added, ‘To the spitfire, brilliant, marvelous, Jessica Walter— I can still hear your glorious laugh, even now. Your presence in life and on screen will be greatly missed. #JessicaWalter’ 

The Jim Henson Company also shared a tribute, along with an image from The Dinosaurs TV show, adding, ‘Remembering the amazing career of Jessica Walter today, including her iconic voice performance as Fran Sinclair on Dinosaurs.’