ABC’s hit sitcom The Goldbergs payed tribute to their beloved star George Segal on Wednesday’s new episode, which was his last.
The actor passed away at 87 years of age just over two weeks ago in Santa Rosa, California, after complications from bypass surgery.
The show aired a special video tribute to the actor, who played Albert ‘Pops’ Solomon on the show, while some of the show’s stars paid tribute on social media.
Tribute: ABC’s hit sitcom The Goldbergs payed tribute to their beloved star George Segal on Wednesday’s new episode, which was his last
Tribute: The show aired a special video tribute to the actor, who played Albert ‘Pops’ Solomon on the show, while some of the show’s stars paid tribute on social media
The Goldbergs typically finishes each episode with throwback footage from series creator Adam F. Goldberg’s family that he shot as a child, though Wednesday’s episode honored Segal.
The tribute, which was shared on The Goldbergs Twitter after the episode aired, began with, ‘Dedicated to Our Friend, George.’
The video featured shots of Segal combing his hair and spraying some Binaca in his mouth before he did a little dance.
Dance: The video featured shots of Segal combing his hair and spraying some Binaca in his mouth before he did a little dance
He was also seen in a full Ghostbusters costume alongside his on-screen grandson, played by Sean Giambrone, as he humorously botches the catch-phrase with, ‘Who are you gonna telephone? The Ghost Fellas!’
Pops is also seen having a talk with his grandson, telling him that, ‘Some women like a sensitive man.’
The video goes on to show other memorable shots of Pops, ending with him giving everyone in the Goldbergs family a hug.
Ghost fellas: He was also seen in a full Ghostbusters costume alongside his on-screen grandson, played by Sean Giambrone, as he humorously botches the catch-phrase with, ‘Who are you gonna telephone? The Ghost Fellas!’
Sensitive: Pops is also seen having a talk with his grandson, telling him that, ‘Some women like a sensitive man’
Hugs: The video goes on to show other memorable shots of Pops, ending with him giving everyone in the Goldbergs family a hug
‘If you just believe in yourself like I do, you can’t lose,’ he says, as a final title card reads, ‘We will miss you, George’ as the video comes to an end.
Wendi McLendon-Covey, who played The Goldbergs matriarch and Pops’ daughter Beverly, also shared tributes to Segal on Twitter.
‘Tonight’s episode was the last that George filmed, but not the last of our season. We had no idea at the time we filmed it, that it would be our last with him,’ she said.
Miss you: ‘If you just believe in yourself like I do, you can’t lose,’ he says, as a final title card reads, ‘We will miss you, George’ as the video comes to an end
No idea: ‘Tonight’s episode was the last that George filmed, but not the last of our season. We had no idea at the time we filmed it, that it would be our last with him,’ she said
McLendon-Covey added in another tweet, ‘We had so much fun filming this episode, and George was still game for anything. Always a total pro and a joy to be around! #TheGoldbergs.’
Hayley Orrantia, who plays Erica Goldberg in the series, retweeted the video message, adding, ‘We love and miss you so much.’
Series creator Adam F. Goldberg also quote-retweeted another McLendon-Covey tweet where she made it clear they would ‘NEVER replace George in the role of Pops. If we get a season 9, we will address it then.’
Fun: McLendon-Covey added in another tweet, ‘We had so much fun filming this episode, and George was still game for anything. Always a total pro and a joy to be around! #TheGoldbergs’
Love: Hayley Orrantia, who plays Erica Goldberg in the series, retweeted the video message, adding, ‘We love and miss you so much’
Goldberg added in his quote retweet, ‘Tonight is George’s last episode. Fans are asking what’s planned for Pops. Even though my input and stories have not been used this season, I know the way to address this loss is to use my real experience of losing my Grandpa to honor George and my Pops. Hope I’m welcome S9! #JTP’
Goldberg stepped down as showrunner of The Goldbergs, which he created and is based on his childhood experiences with his family, after Season 6.
The Goldbergs writer-producers Chris Bishop and Alex Barnow were named showrunners heading into Season 7 and the current eighth season.
ABC has yet to address the fate of The Goldbergs quite yet, and it’s unclear if they will return for a ninth season.
Welcome: Goldberg added in his quote retweet, ‘Tonight is George’s last episode. Fans are asking what’s planned for Pops. Even though my input and stories have not been used this season, I know the way to address this loss is to use my real experience of losing my Grandpa to honor George and my Pops. Hope I’m welcome S9! #JTP
Unclear: ABC has yet to address the fate of The Goldbergs quite yet, and it’s unclear if they will return for a ninth season