Jessica Walter, the award-winning actress who starred in the cult comedy series Arrested Development and the animated show Archer, passed away on March 24, 2021 at the age of 80. Her daughter, Brooke Bowman, confirmed the news in a statement to CNN, saying that Walter died in her sleep at her home in New York City. But what was the cause of her death? Was it related to Covid-19, the pandemic that has claimed millions of lives around the world? Or was it due to natural causes, as some reports suggest?
No Official Cause of Death Announced
According to Deadline, which first reported Walter’s death, no cause of death was given by her family. However, the website stated that she died peacefully in her sleep. This implies that Walter did not suffer from any acute illness or injury that led to her demise. It also suggests that she did not have any symptoms of Covid-19, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or loss of taste or smell.
However, the absence of an official cause of death does not rule out the possibility that Walter had contracted Covid-19 at some point before her death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Covid-19 can cause a range of complications, such as pneumonia, blood clots, heart problems, kidney failure, and stroke. Some of these complications can be fatal, even if the person has recovered from the initial infection. Moreover, some people who have had Covid-19 may experience long-term effects, such as fatigue, brain fog, depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. These effects can also affect the quality of life and increase the risk of mortality.
Therefore, it is possible that Walter had Covid-19 in the past and developed some of these complications or long-term effects that contributed to her death. However, without a confirmation from her family or a medical report, this remains a speculation.
A Long and Successful Career
Regardless of the cause of her death, Walter will be remembered for her long and successful career as an actress. She began her acting journey in the 1960s, appearing in several Broadway productions and films. She won an Emmy in 1975 for her role as a detective in Amy Prentiss, a spin-off of the popular series Ironside. She also earned two Golden Globe nominations for her performances in Grand Prix (1966) and Play Misty for Me (1971), the latter being Clint Eastwood’s directorial debut.
However, Walter gained widespread fame and acclaim for her roles in two comedy series: Arrested Development and Archer. In Arrested Development, she played Lucille Bluth, the manipulative and alcoholic matriarch of a dysfunctional family. Her witty and sarcastic delivery of lines made her a fan favorite and earned her an Emmy nomination in 2005. In Archer, she voiced Malory Archer, the domineering and ruthless boss of a spy agency and mother of the titular character. Her voice acting skills also garnered her critical praise and an Annie Award nomination in 2011.
Walter’s co-stars and colleagues from both shows paid tribute to her on social media, expressing their admiration and gratitude for working with her. Tony Hale, who played her son Buster on Arrested Development, wrote on Twitter: “She was a force, and her talent and timing were unmatched.” Jason Bateman, who played her son Michael on the same show, wrote: “I will forever remember my time with her, watching her bring Lucille Bluth to life.” H. Jon Benjamin, who voiced Archer on Archer, wrote: “Jessica Walter was an unparalleled talent. So funny. So insanely good in everything she was in.”
Walter is survived by her daughter Brooke Bowman and her grandson Micah Heymann. Her husband of 36 years, actor Ron Leibman, died in 2019.
