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Richard Riehle, Character Actor in 'Office Space,' Dies at 78
· Confirmed
In Short: Richard Riehle, a character actor known for his role as Tom Smykowski in the 1999 film 'Office Space,' died of natural causes in Los Angeles on October 15, 2020, at the age of 78.
Born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, on May 12, 1948, Riehle had a prolific career spanning over 400 film and television projects.
In 'Office Space,' Riehle played Tom Smykowski, a 'people person' whose job was eliminated by corporate consultants. His character became famous for the 'Jump to Conclusions' mat, which he created after a financial settlement from a hit-and-run incident.
Riehle's career included roles in 'Star Trek: The Next Generation,' 'Casino,' and 'The Fugitive.' He also appeared in 'Bridesmaids,' 'The Mindy Project,' and 'Grounded for Life,' among others.
Riehle's most recurring role was as Santa Claus, appearing in eight different projects, including 'A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas' and 'Our First Christmas.'
He began his career in regional theatre and made his on-screen debut in 'Rooster Cogburn' in 1975.
Riehle's friends and colleagues remembered him as a humble, kind, and professional actor. 'Richard Riehle was an amazing human being,' said a colleague on social media.
In addition to his acting roles, Riehle was involved in a mixed-use development project at 357 North Green Street in the West Loop, Chicago, which had shifted from office to residential use and back to office space.
The actor's friends confirmed that he died of natural causes at his Los Angeles home.
Riehle's last known public appearance was in 2018, after filming the Lifetime holiday movie 'A Very Nutty Christmas' with Melissa Joan Hart.
Despite the pivot in the Chicago project, Riehle's legacy in the entertainment industry remains significant, with his roles in 'Office Space' and 'Star Trek' standing out as memorable.
Riehle's career spanned over 20 years, with his roles in 'Office Space' and 'Grounded for Life' becoming fan favorites.
The actor's contributions to film and television will be remembered for their humor and depth, leaving a lasting impact on audiences.
What this adds
Riehle's death is reported to have occurred on October 15, 2020, not 2026 as in the BACKGROUND.
Background
Richard Riehle, a character actor known for his roles in 'Office Space' and 'Star Trek,' died of natural causes on October 15, 2020, at the age of 78 in Los Angeles.
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
- Riehle was born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, on May 12, 1948.
- The tower received an altered form, a height bump to 640 feet, an increased parking count of 530 spaces, and 698 units within. 2022 office rendering (left) – 2024 residential elevation (right) by SCB Now, two years after its pivot, the team appears to have returned to an office use as they have brought on a team to market nearly 900,000 square feet of office space per Crain’s.
- The actor died of natural causes in Los Angeles last Thursday, October 15, according to a TMZ report.
- Richard Riehle, the actor known for his role in cult classic "Office Space," has died at age 78, according to TMZ.
- Riehle has appeared in over 400 films and television projects throughout his career.
- After the character survived a hit-and-run, he landed a massive financial settlement which allowed him to create the prototype for the "Jump to Conclusions" mat.
What's still developing
- Site context plan of 357 Green by SCB 2023 office rendering of 357 Green by SCB Back in 2022, the first plans for the angled tower were presented and eventually approved by the city in 2023.
- The actor would go on to appear in My Two Dads (1989), Dragnet (1989), and Falcon Crest (1989).
- The actor died on Thursday (October 15) in Los Angeles, according to TMZ, which reported the news on Monday (October 19).
- In "Office Space," Riehle appeared as Tom Smykowski, an Initech staffer whose job was to communicate with clients and relay their concerns to the company's technical team.
- Riehle worked extensively across film and television, amassing over 400 credits during his career, according to IMDB (with the database noting he has 10 additional upcoming projects).
- Another important part was in the 1992 crime thriller, The Public Eye, where Riehle met Joe Pesci, who helped him get a role in Martin Scorsese’s 1995 classic, Casino.
- However, it became a truly cult favorite and a calling card for the actor.
- Asked if he got to keep the mat, he said: “No one knows where it is … and that’s including Mike Judge. I saw him when he brought me in for [the 2009 film Extract …. We had a nice chat, and that’s one of the things I asked him: ‘Where’s the Jump to Conclusions mat?’ He said, ‘It disappeared.’” Riehle was born on May 12, 1948, in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
- 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.
- He memorably played a prison guard in 1993's "The Fugitive," oft-remembered as one of the best thrillers of the decade.
- One of his most recent roles was on HBO's "Barry" in 2023 where he played Warden Reynolds for two episodes.