Jessica Walter, the Emmy Award-winning actress known for playing Lucille Bluth in Arrested Development, has died at her home in New York.

The American actress died in her sleep on Wednesday, aged 80, a representative confirmed on Thursday.

“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of my beloved mom Jessica,” said Walter’s daughter Brooke Bowman in a short statement.

“A working actor for over six decades, her greatest pleasure was bringing joy to others through her storytelling both on screen and off.

“While her legacy will live on through her body of work, she will also be remembered by many for her wit, class and overall joie de vivre.”

She was a force, and her talent and timing were unmatched. Rest In Peace Mama Bluth. pic.twitter.com/wJeOeJleR3

Walter won an Emmy for her role in the mid-1970s series Amy Prentiss, a spin-off of from US crime drama Ironside.

She was also nominated for several more for her roles in Trapper John, M.D. and Streets of San Francisco.

For her part as the comically self-involved matriarch in sitcom Arrested Development, the actress earned another Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actress, along with two Screen Actors Guild (SAG) nominations.

Tony Hale, her Arrested co-star, paid tribute to Walter on Thursday night, writing in a tweet: “She was a force, and her talent and timing were unmatched. Rest in Peace Mama Bluth.”

Fellow co-star David Cross remembered Walter in a statement as “an absolutely brilliant actress and amazing talent”.

He added: “I consider myself privileged and very lucky to have been able to work with her. Lucille Bluth is one of TV’s greatest characters.”

Walter also gained acclaim over acting career with her roles in films such as Clint Eastwood’s Play Misty for Me, and voicing the part of Malory Archer on the animated series Archer.

Related posts:

Olivia Wilde praises Harry Styles for allowing ‘a woman to hold the spotlight’ Ashley Judd: I would have died or lost leg without African rainforest ‘heroes’ ‘Buckle up!’ Fourth series of Killing Eve will be the last Kanye West becomes the richest black man in US history Made In Chelsea star Ollie Locke announces plans for surrogate baby Man arrested after hit-and-run death of actress Lisa Banes in New York Jury selection set to begin for R Kelly sexual abuse trial in New York Kylie Jenner confirms she is expecting second baby with rapper Travis Scott Bob Odenkirk returns to Better Call Saul after heart attack ‘Am I crazy?’: Neo and Trinity are back as first trailer for Matrix Resurrections is released Jennifer Hudson, film festival buzz and what to watch The full list of winners from the National Television Awards