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Actor Richard Riehle Dies at 78
· Confirmed
In Short: Character actor Richard Riehle, known for his role as Tom Smykowski in 'Office Space,' died of natural causes on October 15.
Richard Riehle, the character actor best known for his role as Tom Smykowski in the 1999 cult classic 'Office Space,' died of natural causes on October 15 at the age of 78.
Born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, on May 12, 1948, Riehle began his acting career by chance, as he told The A.V. Club.
Riehle's career spanned nearly five decades and included over 400 screen projects, ranging from minor roles to significant parts in major films and television shows.
His breakthrough role came in 'Office Space,' where he played Tom Smykowski, a laid-off Initech employee who, after a hit-and-run accident, received a financial settlement that allowed him to pursue his dream of creating the 'Jump to Conclusions' mat.
Riehle's other notable roles included appearances in 'Casino,' 'Free Willy,' and 'The Fugitive,' as well as multiple roles in the Star Trek franchise.
In addition to his film work, Riehle appeared in television series such as 'The Mindy Project,' 'George Lopez,' and 'The Neighbors,' and was Santa Claus in eight projects.
According to his management team, Wright Entertainment, Riehle was remembered for his immense talent, genuine goodness, and unwavering generosity toward emerging actors and filmmakers.
Riehle's friends and colleagues shared their condolences, with one noting, 'Richard Riehle was an amazing human being. A consummate professional, he was an actor's actor — humble, kind and incredible at his craft.'
What this adds
WarpBeat previously reported on Riehle's death on October 19, 2026, confirming his age and cause of death.
Background
Character actor Richard Riehle, known for his role as Tom Smykowski in 'Office Space,' died of natural causes on October 15.
Actor Richard Riehle, best known for his role as Tom Smykowski in 'Office Space,' died of natural causes on October 15 at the age of 78.
Office Space is a 1999 American satirical black comedy film written and directed by Mike Judge. It satirizes the office work life of a typical 1990s software company, focusing on a handful of individuals weary of their jobs.
What's confirmed
- Born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, on May 12, 1948, Riehle started acting “totally by chance,” as he told The A.V.
- “I think I was a dead body in two or three different places in there, but I can’t find myself.” He followed it with Joyride in 1977, playing a bartender (with speaking lines) opposite the children of many stars, including Desi Arnaz Jr., Anne Lockhart, Robert Carradine, and Melanie Griffith.
- "We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of our beloved client, Richard Riehle, this past weekend. A remarkable actor whose career in theater, film, and television spanned nearly five decades and more than 400 projects, Richard leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. Beyond his immense talent, he will be remembered for his genuine goodness, boundless kindness, and unwavering generosity, particularly toward emerging actors and filmmakers, whom he encouraged and supported at every opportunity," said his management team, Wright Entertainment, in a statement confirming his death.
- His big screen work included “Casino,” “Free Willy” and “The Fugitive,” according to IMDb.
- A statement shared by Artists & Representatives and Wright Entertainment, Inc., announced Riehle's passing on Monday, writing, "Our industry has lost an exceptional talent, and our community has lost a truly wonderful man."
- According to TMZ, Riehle died of natural causes in Los Angeles on Thursday, Oct. 15.
- The money allowed Tom to pursue his dreams, including developing his “Jump to Conclusions” mat, one of the film's best-known jokes.
What's still developing
- After graduation, Riehle hit the regional theater circuit before his first screen role in 1975’s True Grit sequel, Rooster Cogburn (…And The Lady), starring John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn.
- He spent his last semester “doing anything and everything that you do in the theater,” impressing his mentors who helped him land a teaching assistantship at the University of Minnesota, where he received his MFA.
- After those first two experiences, Riehle’s on-screen career took a decade-long break.
- “I was a glorified extra that got bumped up to being Richard Jordan’s stand-in for a while,” he remembered.
- Wright Entertainment Inc. said Monday that Riehle had died Oct. 15 but disclosed no cause or details.
- “We didn’t have a regular effects person to put me into a body cast for my scene after the character’s accident, so we hired an EMT guy to put me in a real cast,” Riehle said in an interview with Notre Dame Magazine.
- Riehle worked extensively across film and television, amassing more than 400 credits during his career, according to IMDB (with the database noting he has 10 additional upcoming projects).
- The last time we caught up with Richard was back in 2018 in Los Angeles, after he had just gotten back from filming the Lifetime holiday movie "A Very Nutty Christmas" with Melissa Joan Hart.
- The first time I met Richard Riehle, I was making one of the first things I’d ever made.
- He soon started popping up in parts in films like Black Rain, Glory, and The Fugitive, and TV series like Star Trek: The Next Generation ; he starred in " The Inner Light," which is considered to be one of the science fiction franchise's finest hours.
- According to Check Please, Riehle's portrayal of Smykowski, a middleman at Initech, became iconic for his dramatic and ironic storyline in the film.
- Riehle, who portrayed Tom Smykowski in the 1999 workplace comedy, died on Thursday, Oct. 15, TMZ reported.