Character actor Richard Riehle, known for Office Space, dies

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 11:44 · Archive

Richard Riehle, a prolific character actor who played authority figures and comedic roles in film and television, has died at 78.

Richard Riehle, a prolific character actor who appeared in films and television shows including 'Glory', 'Office Space' and 'The Fugitive', has died at 78. His death occurred on 15 October, according to Wright Entertainment Inc., though no cause was disclosed. Wright Entertainment Inc. said in a statement: 'Our industry has lost an exceptional talent, and our community has lost a truly wonderful man.'

Riehle's almost five-decade career saw him play a quartermaster in the Civil War drama 'Glory', a prison guard in 'The Fugitive', an air marshal in 'Executive Decision', a police officer in a guest spot on 'The West Wing' and a principal on the TV adaptation of 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'. The AV Club noted in 2017 that if a casting director needed 'a burly, blustery, mustachioed man' for their project, Riehle had likely been near the top of their list.

Riehle discovered acting by chance as a senior at the University of Notre Dame. Unable to afford an additional year of study, he took all his speech and drama credits in one semester and was subsequently offered a teaching assistantship at the University of Minnesota, where he earned his Masters of Fine Arts degree. He had his first film lines in the 1977 movie 'Joyride'.

How it is being reported

• Richard Riehle, dependable TV and film character actor who was in 'Glory' and 'Office Space,' diesPittsburgh Post-Gazette · 20 Oct, 11:06
• Richard Riehle, dependable TV and film character actor who was in ‘Glory’ and ‘Office Space,’ diesNEW YORK — Richard Riehle, a prolific character actor in TV and film who often played authority figures but was equally skilled at comedy, notably playing a sad-sack product manager in “Office Space,” has died. He was 78.TribLIVE · 20 Oct, 02:55

In this story: Richard Riehle · University of Notre Dame · University of Minnesota

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