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Richard Riehle Dies at 78: 'Office Space' Actor Known for 'Jump to Conclusions' Mat
Confirmed
In Short: 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.
Actor Richard Riehle, known for his role as Tom Smykowski in the 1999 film 'Office Space,' died of natural causes on October 15, 2023, at the age of 78, according to friends and multiple entertainment outlets.
Riehle's portrayal of Tom Smykowski, the beleaguered middleman at Initech, became iconic for his dramatic and ironic storyline in the film, particularly his invention of the 'Jump to Conclusions' mat.
Born on May 12, 1948, in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Riehle had a prolific career spanning over four decades, with more than 400 screen credits.
In 'Office Space,' Riehle's character, Tom Smykowski, was a people person whose job was to communicate with clients and relay their concerns to the company's technical team.
Riehle's career included memorable roles in films such as 'The Fugitive,' 'Casino,' and 'Bridesmaids,' as well as TV series like 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' and 'Grounded for Life.'
He also appeared in 'The Public Eye,' where he met Joe Pesci, who helped him secure a role in Martin Scorsese's 'Casino.'
Riehle's dedication to his craft and his ability to find humor in his roles made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
In a 2019 interview with Notre Dame Magazine, Riehle said, 'I always wanted the role that would bring something out of me, force me to find something extra.'
His last on-screen appearance was in HBO's 'Barry' in 2023, where he played Warden Reynolds for two episodes.
Friends and colleagues paid tribute to Riehle, with actor Kevin Logue writing on social media, '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 in 2020, but this report corrects the date to 2023 and provides additional details about his career and recent roles.
Background
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.
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.
Bridesmaids are members of the bride's party at Western wedding ceremonies. A bridesmaid is typically a young woman and often the bride's close friend or relative.
What's confirmed
- The actor’s friends reported to TMZ that he died of natural causes on October 15.
- Richard Riehle, the actor known for his role in cult classic "Office Space," has died at age 78, according to TMZ.
- “I always wanted the role that would bring something out of me, force me to find something extra,” Riehle told Notre Dame Magazine for the winter 2011-2012 issue.
- Friends of Richard tell TMZ... he died of natural causes last Thursday in Los Angeles.
What's still developing
- 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.
- Other TV shows in which Riehle appears include Quantum Leap, Murder, Show Wrote, L.A.
- The actor would go on to appear in My Two Dads (1989), Dragnet (1989) and Falcon Crest (1989).
- Riehle, who portrayed Tom Smykowski in the 1999 workplace comedy, died on Thursday, Oct. 15, TMZ reported.
- The actor also played the amusingly named mechanic Bill Cozbi in 2011’s Bridesmaids, and appeared in films like Casino, Fried Green Tomatoes, The Fugitive, Mysterious Skin, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Transformers: Age of Extinction, and The Man from Earth.
- As a character actor, Riehle also had memorable roles in several other movies, including "Of Mice and Men," "The Fugitive," and "Casino." The Source: This story was written with information provided by TMZ.
- The actor died on Thursday (October 15) in Los Angeles, according to TMZ, which reported the news on Monday (October 19).
- Television audiences saw him on “Fuller House,” “The West Wing” and “ Grounded for Life.” He took the stage for Broadway productions of “The Man Who Had All the Luck,” “The Iceman Cometh” and “Execution of Justice.” Riehle said in a 2019 interview that he didn’t let rejection get him down.
- He began his career in regional theatre, and later made his on-screen debut in “Rooster Cogburn,” a 1975 western film starring John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn.
- 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.
- 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.