Jessica Walter was born on January 31, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York, to Esther Groisser, a teacher, and David Walter, a musician who played with the NBC Symphony Orchestra and the NYC Ballet Orchestra.

She grew up in Elmhurst, Queens, and attended the High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan, graduating in 1959. Her brother, Richard, is a retired professor who led the screenwriting program at UCLA.

Jessica Walter began her acting career on stage, winning a Clarence Derwent Award in 1963 for Outstanding Debut Broadway Performance in Peter Ustinov's "Photo Finish".

She made her film debut in the 1964 neo-noir drama "Lilith" and went on to star in films like "Grand Prix" (1966) and "The Group" (1966). Her role as Evelyn in Clint Eastwood's "Play Misty for Me" (1971) earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama.

Throughout her career, she was a regular presence on American television. She played the title role in the short-lived police procedural "Amy Prentiss" (1975), appeared in a recurring role on "Trapper John, M.D.", and worked as a series regular for the first half of season one of "90210".

Her role as scheming socialite Lucille Bluth in the critically acclaimed sitcom "Arrested Development" (2003-2006, 2013-2019) brought her renewed attention.

Jessica Walter was married to actor Ron Leibman from 1983 until his death in 2019, and they had one daughter, Brooke Bowman. She was also previously married to Ross Bowman from 1966 to 1978.

Jessica Walter passed away on March 24, 2021, in Manhattan, New York, at the age of 80.

She was known for her sharp wit and humor, and her work on the FX animated series "Archer" as the voice of Malory Archer earned her a dedicated fan base.

Jessica Walter received various awards over the course of her career, including a Primetime Emmy Award for "Amy Prentiss" (1975). She also received two Golden Globe Award nominations and three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.