Famed actor and Great Neck native George Segal died at 87 on Tuesday due to complications from bypass surgery, according to a statement from his wife.
Segal’s extensive acting career spanned more than six decades and included roles in films including “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”, “A Touch of Class”, “Look Who’s Talking”, among others. Segal was nominated for an Oscar in 1966 for his role opposite Richard Burton in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”.
The Great Neck native also spent eight years portraying Albert “Pops” Solomon on the ABC comedy series, The Goldbergs.
“On behalf of everyone at The Goldbergs, we are devastated at the loss of our dear friend, George,” a statement from the television show said. “He was kind, sweet, beyond talented and funny. George was the true epitome of class and he touched all of our lives so deeply. It was an honor and a privilege to have him as a colleague and friend all of these years.”
“George brightened the screen whenever he was on camera and was a warm and genuine gentleman,” a statement from Sony Pictures Television said. “Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. We will miss him greatly.”
Segal was born on Feb. 13, 1934 in Great Neck to a secular family. He reportedly began his career in entertainment at eight years old by playing the banjo. Segal was the third of four children his parents had.
Segal, who also a member of Temple Beth Shalom, recalled attending Passover Seder at the residence of another famed actor with Great Neck roots.
“I went to a Passover Seder at Groucho Marx’s once and he kept saying, “When do we get to the wine?”, Segal said in a 2014 interview. “So that’s my [Jewish] experience.”
Segal married his first wife, Marion Sobel, in 1956 and had two children together before getting divorced in 1983. That same year, he married his second wife, Linda Rogoff, before their divorce in 1996. In 1998, he married Sonia Greenbaum and was together with her until his death.
“The family is devastated to announce that this morning George Segal passed away due to complications from bypass surgery,” she said in a statement provided by Sony.
