Dabney Coleman, comic actor best known for villainous ‘9 to 5’ and ‘Tootsie’ roles, dead at 92
Longtime Hollywood actor Dabney Coleman, best known for his villainous roles in the 1980s hit comedies “9 to 5” and “Tootsie,” died Thursday. He was 92.
Coleman’s daughter, Quincy Coleman, confirmed he died at his home in Santa Monica, California, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
“My father crafted his time here on Earth with a curious mind, a generous heart and a soul on fire with passion, desire and humor that tickled the funny bone of humanity,” she said in a statement.
“As he lived, he moved through this final act of his life with elegance, excellence and mastery,” she continued.
“A teacher, a hero and a king, Dabney Coleman is a gift and blessing in life and in death as his spirit will shine through his work, his loved ones and his legacy … eternally.”
A cause of death has yet to be revealed, but Coleman canceled an April appearance at the Chiller Theatre in New Jersey due to health concerns, TMZ reported.
The veteran actor came to prominence for his role as Franklin Hart Jr. in the 1980 comedy “9 to 5,” in which he played a sexist, backstabbing boss. The film also starred Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton.
Coleman also had a memorable role as a sexist TV director in the 1982 hit film “Tootsie” opposite Dustin Hoffman.
He was nominated for six Emmys during his six-decade career and won in 1987 for outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries or a movie for his role in “Sworn to Silence.”
He had nearly 180 acting credits in his decades-long career, per his IMDB page.