Richard Riehle is dead: 'Office Space' star dies at 78

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents Richard Riehle is dead: 'Office Space' star dies at 78.

If you know "Office Space", you know Richard Riehle – or at least his stare as Tom Smykowski, the cynical product manager from the Mike Judge satire. The character actor died of natural causes on October 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, as reported by industry trade publication Variety, citing confirmed information. Riehle was 78 years old.

You've probably seen him more often than you realize: in "Bridesmaids" as well as in a "Star Trek" episode, in "The Fugitive" or in "Casino". Riehle was never a leading man, but the kind of actor who turned up in practically every major Hollywood production at least once.

From the Midwest to Hollywood

In "Office Space", Riehle shared the screen with Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, Stephen Root and Gary Cole. Riehle was born on May 12, 1948 in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, studied at the University of Notre Dame, and later earned a master's degree, according to Variety.

A face you recognize

The Hollywood Reporter highlights his appearances in "The Fugitive", "Glory", "Casino", "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo" and "Grounded for Life". Deadline adds "The Man From Earth" and "Bridesmaids", while Variety additionally names "Star Trek". What all three sources share: the image of a mustached man who shaped Hollywood cinema over decades as a character actor.

Nothing is yet known about survivors or a memorial service.

As of: October 15, 2026, further details to follow.