Richard Riehle, Office Space and Grounded for Life actor, dies at 78

Richard Riehle, the actor known as Tom Smykowski in Office Space, died of natural causes on Oct. 15 in Los Angeles. He was 78.

He died at his home in the city, according to FOX 13 News. Friends confirmed his death to TMZ, as reported by Fox Richmond, with Variety reporting the news on Oct. 19.

Riehle built a screen career of more than 400 films, television shows and other projects. His most widely recognised television and film parts included Tom Smykowski in Office Space, Walt Finnerty on Grounded for Life and Batai in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “The Inner Light.”

In Office Space, Smykowski was the office worker with the “Jump to Conclusions” mat on his desk, a detail noted by Notre Dame Magazine. His other screen credits included ranch hand Carlson in Of Mice and Men and Principal Beasley in Jury Duty. He also played Santa Claus in eight different projects.

Riehle was born on May 12, 1948 in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. He was the oldest of six children. His father died when Riehle was 13, after which his mother returned to work as a nurse.

He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1970 and later received a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota. He began acting at the Meadow Brook Theatre in Rochester, Michigan.

He is survived by his wife, Jane Latham, and their four children.