‘Office Space’ Actor Richard Riehle Dies at 78 After Career Spanning Decades

According to New York Times report American character actor Richard Riehle, best known for his role as Tom Smykowski in the 1999 comedy film Office Space, has died at the age of 78.

Riehle died on Thursday, October 15, 2026, in Los Angeles, California, according to his representatives. His death was announced on Monday, October 19. The cause was reported as natural causes, although further details were not disclosed.

The veteran performer built a career spanning nearly five decades, accumulating more than 400 credits across films, television productions, theatre and other entertainment projects.

In Office Space, Riehle portrayed Smykowski, an anxious middle manager facing the possibility of losing his job at a technology company. His character became memorable for insisting that he had “people skills” while trying to convince his superiors that he deserved to remain employed.

Beyond the cult comedy, Riehle appeared in several notable Hollywood productions, including Glory (1989), The Fugitive (1993), Executive Decision (1996), Wedding Crashers (2005) and Bridesmaids (2011).

His television work was equally extensive. He appeared in popular series such as Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, The West Wing and The Middle. He also played Walt Finnerty, the father of the central character, in the sitcom Grounded for Life.

Born on May 12, 1948, in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Riehle developed an interest in acting while studying at the University of Notre Dame. He later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Minnesota before pursuing professional theatre and screen acting.

Riehle was remembered by his representatives as a talented performer who was generous and supportive of younger actors and filmmakers.

His death marks the loss of a familiar character actor whose extensive body of work made him a recognisable presence across generations of film and television audiences.