Richard Riehle Dead at 78

The prolific American character actor Richard Riehle passed away in Los Angeles on October 15, 2026, at the age of 78.

WikipediaKnown as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable and hard-working faces, Riehle appeared in over 400 film, television, and stage projects throughout his extensive career.

He is perhaps most fondly remembered by audiences for his iconic role as Tom Smykowski—the “jump to conclusions mat” inventor—in Mike Judge’s 1999 cult classic comedy Office Space.

Beyond Office Space, his massive resume included memorable turns in films like The Fugitive, Casino, Glory, and Gettysburg, alongside countless television guest appearances spanning decades, including roles across the Star Trek franchise (The Next Generation, Voyager, Enterprise), Grounded for Life, and The Drew Carey Show.