Character actor Richard Riehle, who appeared in more than 400 film and television productions, has died aged 78. He passed away of natural causes at his Los Angeles residence on Thursday 15 October.
A Career Spanning Decades
Born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, in 1948, Riehle studied at the University of Notre Dame and later the University of Minnesota before taking parts in regional theatre, cinema and television. After early minor on-screen appearances in the 1970s, his career gained momentum during the 1990s.
His film credits include Of Mice and Men (1992), Free Willy (1993), The Fugitive (1993), Casino (1995) and the cult classic Office Space (1999).
Television Work and Tributes
On television, Riehle appeared in episodes of Murder, She Wrote, Ferris Bueller, The Golden Girls, Ally McBeal, Star Trek: Voyager, Modern Family, NCIS and Barry.
Following the news of his death, tributes have been shared on social media. One fan wrote: "RIP to one of the hardest-working character actors to have ever done it." Another posted: "From memorable roles in Office Space and The Legend of Korra to random bit characters, Richard Riehle had a MASSIVE career. RIP to a legend."
A further tribute said: "Seeing a lot of posts associating Richard Riehle with Office Space. He had more work than most actors could dream of. Great range, too. He was in five episodes of Star Trek across three series. RIP." Another remarked: "Rest in peace, Richard Riehle. Thank you for the years of laughter and entertainment you brought to audiences. Your work in Office Space and beyond will not be forgotten. Condolences to his family, friends, and fans."
Filmmaker Michael Matteo Rossi, who worked with Riehle, also paid tribute on Instagram: "Just got the news and really saddened to hear about the passing of my friend and colleague Richard Riehle, who I had the pleasure of directing." Rossi added that the actor "was one of the nicest, most genuine people I've ever met, and anytime we met up, he put a smile on my face".
