Award-winning American actress Jessica Walter was born on January 31, 1941 in New York City. Born in Brooklyn and raised in nearby Queens, she graduated from the High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan. She initially began acting in theater, training at the Neighborhood Playhouse before getting her big break in 1962, through the daytime soap Love of Life.
Walter’s early career saw her play numerous roles in both film and television. Her first notable film was the psychological thriller Play Misty for Me, which premiered in 1971; here she played a psychotic woman who stalks her favorite disc jockey (Clint Eastwood). In 1974, she starred in the police miniseries Amy Prentiss, playing the lead role. This led to her only Emmy award to date, in 1975. In 1983, she starred in the short-lived drama Bare Essence. Her other films during the time include Lilith, The Group, Grand Prix, Number One and Bye Bye Braveman.
Walter since devoted her time almost exclusively on television and theater. However, she appeared in a handful of films, including PCU, Tapeheads and Ghost in the Machine. She played guest roles in shows such as Law & Order, Just Shoot Me!, Jack & Jill and Touched by an Angel. She also lent her voice to the comedy Dinosaurs.
In 2003, she joined the cast of the comedy series Arrested Development. This served as a comeback of sorts for Walters; her role as the decadent and domineering family matriarch Lucille Bluth earned praise from critics, much like the entire show itself. She snagged an Emmy nomination in 2005 for the role, and won a Golden Satellite Award similarly. Despite critical success, the show was not a runaway ratings success, and it was cancelled after three seasons. Walter is slated to appear in the upcoming drama 90210.