News · Music & Entertainment · Los Angeles, California
Richard Riehle, character actor known for 'Office Space,' dies at 78
Richard Riehle, the veteran character actor remembered by many for playing Tom Smykowski in the 1999 comedy "Office Space," has died in Los Angeles at age 78, according to multiple outlets citing Variety.
ABC7 Los Angeles, citing Variety, reported that Riehle died of natural causes on Oct. 15. Gray News, whose report was carried by Dakota News Now, Cleveland 19 and WCAX, said he died Thursday and that friends of the actor told TMZ the cause was natural. Gray News said Variety also confirmed the death.
In "Office Space," Riehle played an employee at the fictional company Initech who loses his job. After being struck in a hit-and-run, the character receives a settlement that lets him pursue his invention, a novelty product called the "Jump to Conclusions" mat. ABC7 and Gray News both highlighted the role as the one he was best known for.
Riehle's career spanned decades and an unusually large number of credits. Gray News put the total at more than 400 films, television shows and other projects, while ABC7 described his work as including hundreds of film and TV roles.
Among those credits, according to Gray News, were recurring parts in the sitcom "Grounded for Life" and in the "Star Trek" franchise. ABC7 also noted his multiple "Star Trek" appearances and said he had a role in the 2011 comedy "Bridesmaids." The station added that Riehle played Santa Claus in several projects over the course of his career.
Riehle was a native of Wisconsin, Gray News reported. Citing Variety, the outlet said he studied at the University of Notre Dame and later earned a master's degree from the University of Minnesota.
He is survived by his wife and four children, according to Gray News.
ABC7 said no further details were immediately available. None of the outlets reported information about funeral or memorial arrangements.
Compiled by True News from reporting by ABC7 Los Angeles, Dakota News Now, Cleveland 19 and WCAX. Each outlet's original story is linked below.
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