George Segal

Birth Date:

February 13, 1934

Birth Name:

George Segal Jr

Birth Place:

New York, USA

Nick Name:

George

Film Debut:

The Young Doctors 1961

Breakthrough Film:

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf 1966

Biography

George Segal was an American actor and musician whose career in film, television, and theatre lasted more than six decades. He was born George Segal Jr. on February 13, 1934, in New York City, New York. He grew up in Great Neck, Long Island, and attended Columbia University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1955. After serving in the United States Army, Segal studied acting at the Actors Studio and began performing professionally on stage. He also had a talent for music and played the banjo, recording albums and performing music throughout his career. His early theatre work helped him develop the skills that would eventually lead to major film opportunities.

Segal made his feature-film debut in The Young Doctors in 1961, playing Dr. Howard Pearson. He followed this with appearances in films including The Longest Day, Act One, and The New Interns. His career gained considerable attention during the 1960s when he appeared in Ship of Fools and King Rat in 1965. These performances established him as an actor capable of handling serious dramatic roles. His most important early film was Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in 1966, in which he played Nick opposite Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film became a major success and established Segal as a leading Hollywood actor.

During the 1970s, Segal became known for combining dramatic performances with comedy. He starred in films such as The Owl and the Pussycat, Where’s Poppa?, The Hot Rock, Blume in Love, A Touch of Class, California Split, and Fun with Dick and Jane. He won a Golden Globe for A Touch of Class in 1974. Later in his career, he became popular with television audiences as Jack Gallo on Just Shoot Me! and Albert “Pops” Solomon on The Goldbergs. He also appeared in films including Look Who’s Talking, The Cable Guy, The Mirror Has Two Faces, and 2012. Segal died on March 23, 2021, in Santa Rosa, California, at the age of 87.

Movie Portfolio