Richard Riehle, the veteran character actor whose familiar face and memorable performances brought personality to hundreds of films and television shows, has died at the age of 78. He passed away on October 15, 2026, in Los Angeles from natural causes, according to reports.
Perhaps best known as Tom Smykowski in the cult comedy Office Space (1999), Riehle made audiences laugh as the beleaguered office worker who famously tried to explain that he had “people skills.” His performance helped make the film a lasting comedy favorite.
Riehle also appeared as Bill Cozbi, the mechanic, in Bridesmaids, and earned credits in such celebrated films as The Fugitive, Casino, Fried Green Tomatoes and Wedding Crashers.
On television, he played Walt Finnerty in the sitcom Grounded for Life and appeared in several Star Trek series, along with The West Wing, ER and Modern Family. He also voiced Bumi in the animated series The Legend of Korra.
With more than 400 screen credits to his name, Riehle built a remarkable career playing the everyday characters audiences remembered long after the credits rolled.
His passing marks the loss of a seasoned performer whose work left an enduring impression across generations of film and television.
