Character actor Richard Riehle dies

Richard Riehle, a prolific character actor known for playing authority figures and comedy roles, has died at seventy eight. Wright Entertainment Inc. said Monday that Riehle died October fifteen but disclosed no cause or details.

Nearly five decades on screen

Riehle's almost five decade career included playing a quartermaster in the Civil War drama Glory, a prison guard in The Fugitive, an air marshal in Executive Decision, and a police officer on The West Wing.

Office Space's Tom Smykowski

One of his most beloved roles was in the nineteen ninety nine film Office Space, as Tom Smykowski, an expendable employee at Initech facing getting laid off despite insisting, I have people skills.

“I have people skills!”

From Notre Dame to MFA

Riehle fell into acting as a senior at the University of Notre Dame. He took all the credits he needed in speech and drama in one semester, then received a teaching assistantship at the University…

Star Trek and Broadway roles

Riehle had an affinity for the Star Trek world, landing parts in three franchises: The Next Generation in nineteen ninety two, Voyager in two thousand, and Enterprise in two thousand four.

Remembered for kindness and generosity

Wright Entertainment said Riehle 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.

“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.”