George Segal

George Segal Jr. (February 13, 1934 – March 23, 2021) was an American actor known for his versatility with both dramatic and comedic roles in the 1960s and 1970s. Born and raised in New York City as one of four children, Segal gained prominence for roles in films such as Ship of Fools (1965) and King Rat (1965), earning his reputation in the classic drama Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966). Segal was one of the first American film actors to rise to leading man status with an unchanged Jewish surname, influencing other major actors of his time. Throughout his career, he worked on notable films spanning multiple genres, affirming his reputation as a versatile actor. \n His later career had him assumed supporting roles in films like Carbon Copy (1981), Stick (1985), Look Who's Talking (1989), and Love & Other Drugs (2010). He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and won two Golden Globe Awards. Additionally, he is known for his roles in television sitcoms, particularly playing Jack Gallo on Just Shoot Me! (1997–2003) and Pops Solomon on The Goldbergs (2013–2021). Beyond acting, Segal was an accomplished banjo player, released three albums, and performed with the instrument in several of his acting roles and on late-night television.