Office Space Character Actor Richard Riehle Dies at 78

Richard Riehle, the mustachioed "that guy" of film and TV whose face you knew even if his name escaped you, has died at 78, his representatives said Monday. The rep did not share a cause of death. Riehle's breakout with many viewers came via Office Space, where his Tom Smykowski memorably melted down ("I have people skills!") as layoffs loomed, NBC News reports.

Across more than 400 screen credits during a career that spanned nearly a half-century, Riehle specialized in brief but vivid turns, including Glory, The Fugitive, Casino, Executive Decision, and Bridesmaids. On television, he popped up on the Ferris Bueller sitcom, three Star Trek series, Grounded for Life, The West Wing, and, most recently, HBO's Barry. He also appeared three times on Broadway. Colleagues remembered him as an "actor's actor" known for his craft and generosity toward younger performers, a reputation he once summed up by saying he chased roles that forced him to "find something extra," noting, "The lead isn't always the best part in a play or a movie."

As the AP reports, he "fell into acting" while attending the University of Notre Dame and went on to get his Masters of Fine Arts degree. Variety reports he was doing regional theater when he was first cast in Rooster Cogburn, a John Wayne film. He is survived by his wife and four children.