Actor Richard Riehle, best known for roles in Office Space and The West Wing, has died aged 78.
The news was confirmed last night (Monday October 19) by his management Wright Entertainment Inc. “A remarkable actor whose career in theatre, film, and television spanned nearly five decades and more than 400 projects, Richard leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. Our industry has lost an exceptional talent, and our community has lost a truly wonderful man,” they said in a statement. A cause of death was not confirmed.
“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,” Wright Entertainment added.
Reihle was best known for his part in cult classic comedy Office Space, where he played expendable Initech employee Tom Smykowski who insists he should keep his job because he has “people skills”.
RIP Richard Riehle. This is probably my favorite scene in Office Space pic.twitter.com/2vgKZqa1g0
— Blind Mike (@BlindMike_) October 19, 2026
Reihle made his professional debut in 1977 adventure film Joyride and went on to star in 1989’s Black Rain, 2011’s Bridesmaids, Woody Allen’s 1991 comedy-mystery Shadows And Fog. He also played the prison guard that let Harrison Ford’s character escape in 1993’s The Fugitive, had a guest spot on The West Wing and was the principal in the 1990 TV adaptation of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, taking over from Jeffrey Jones.
He had roles in a trio of Star Trek projects – 1992’s The Next Generation, 2000’s Voyager and The Enterprise in 2004 – and played Santa Claus in a number of different projects. In total, Riehle starred in over 400 movies and TV shows.
“He wanted to act. As much as he could, for as long as he could,” said his friend and actor Luke Barnett in a column for Variety. “If saying yes to some tiny movie meant missing out on a bigger one, well, that was fine with him. He’d rather spend his Tuesday on a set somewhere, even a tiny set, than sit around waiting for a more prestigious phone call. I loved that about him. I think a lot of us could learn something from it.”
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