Richard Riehle, the prolific character actor best known for his role as Tom Smykowski in the cult classic Office Space, has died at the age of 78. He reportedly died of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles on Thursday, 15 October.
A Career Spanning Over 400 Projects
Born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, in 1948, Riehle attended the University of Notre Dame and later the University of Minnesota before taking roles in regional theatre, film and television. After minor on-screen roles in the 1970s, his career flourished in the 1990s.
His film credits include Of Mice and Men (1992), Free Willy (1993), The Fugitive (1993), Casino (1995) and Office Space (1999). On television, he appeared in episodes of Murder, She Wrote, Ferris Bueller, The Golden Girls, Ally McBeal, Star Trek: Voyager, Modern Family, NCIS and Barry.
Tributes From Fans and Colleagues
Following the news, tributes poured in across 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 third fan tweeted: "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 Remembers Friend and Colleague
Filmmaker Michael Matteo Rossi, who directed 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 late star "was one of the nicest, most genuine people I've ever met, and anytime we met up, he put a smile on my face."
