Actor Richard Riehle, ‘Office Space’ Star, Dies at 78
Actor Richard Riehle, known for his role in ‘Office Space,’ passed away at 78. Explore his Hollywood career and memorable roles.
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Actor Richard Riehle, best known for his role as Tom Smykowski in the 1999 comedy film Office Space, has passed away at the age of 78. Riehle died of natural causes in Los Angeles, California, according to his friends, as reported by TMZ. The actor was last seen in 2018 after filming the Lifetime holiday movie A Very Nutty Christmas with Melissa Joan Hart.
A Hollywood Career Spanning Decades
Riehle had a long and varied career in Hollywood, appearing in over 400 projects since the 1970s, according to his IMDb page. He played the prison guard who accidentally allowed Dr. Richard Kimball (Harrison Ford) to escape custody during a train wreck in the 1993 film The Fugitive. He also appeared as Charlie Clark in the 1995 mafia drama Casino.
Riehle portrayed Reverend Scroggins in the 1991 movie Fried Green Tomatoes, and played the ranch hand Carlson in the 1992 film Of Mice and Men. He also appeared as Bob Bigalow in the 1991 comedy Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, and played Walt Finnerty on 45 episodes of Fox Network’s TV series Grounded for Life.
Breakout Role in ‘Office Space’
Riehle’s breakout role was the corrupt quartermaster in the 1989 film Glory. However, he is perhaps best known for his work in Office Space, for which he played Tom, the product manager who gets laid off from his job and survives a hit-and-run accident, before landing a massive financial settlement that allows him to follow his true dreams.
The 1999 film, which became a comedy cult classic, is packed with memorable scenes and lines, making Riehle a more widely recognized face. His performance in Office Space remains one of his most iconic roles, and fans continue to celebrate his contribution to the film’s enduring popularity.
Source: Breitbart
