Prolific actor Richard Riehle, who played Tom Smykowski in the 1999 comedy “Office Space,” has died in Los Angeles. He was 78.
The Wisconsin native’s death on Thursday was from natural causes, according to TMZ sources.
Riehle appeared in more than 400 film and television projects. His big screen work included “Casino,” “Free Willy” and “The Fugitive,” according to IMDb. 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.”
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Riehle said in a 2019 interview that he didn’t let rejection get him down.
“I bring the best I can to the audition, and if that’s what they want, and if all the other stars are in alignment, I’ll get it—and if they don’t, it didn’t work out and it’s onto the next thing,” he told The Working Actor’s Journey blog.
Arguably his most recognized role was that of a project manager in “Office Space,” who dreamed of making a fortune with a “Jump to Conclusions” mat that would allow users to leap onto printed words on a pad placed on a floor. His colleagues agreed that was a horrible idea.
His awkward character was as clueless about his social skills.
“I am good at dealing with people! Can’t you understand that? What the hell is wrong with you people?” he shouted in frustration in one scene.
Riehle’s last credit on IMDb was for his performance in “The Cowboy Killer” starring Ed Begley Jr. and Robert Carradine, the latter of whom died in February. That film was released in July.