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Dabney Coleman, a versatile and beloved actor known for his roles in "9 to 5", "Boardwalk Empire", and "Tootsie", has passed away at the age of 92. Coleman died on Thursday at his home in Santa Monica, as confirmed by a statement from his daughter, Quincy Coleman.
Born in Austin, Texas, Coleman initially pursued a law degree and served in the US Army before transitioning to acting. His illustrious career in Hollywood began in the early 1960s and continued until his final credit in 2019, when he appeared in an episode of "Yellowstone".
Coleman was celebrated for his comedic talent, often portraying characters with a blend of charm and antagonism. His notable roles include parts in the Academy Award-winning film "On Golden Pond" and the sci-fi drama "Wargames". Perhaps his most iconic performance was as the chauvinistic boss in "9 to 5", where he starred alongside Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin.
Throughout the 1960s and & 1970's, Coleman appeared extensively on television, securing guest roles before landing a significant part in the soap-opera spoof "Mary Hartman". His role as Merle Jeter in 1976 marked a pivotal point in his career.
"That’s kind of where it all started, as far as people’s belief that I could do comedy, particularly that negative, caustic, cynical kind of guy", Coleman reflected in a 2012 interview with the AV Club. The 1980s saw Coleman achieve widespread recognition with supporting roles in
"Tootsie", opposite Dustin Hoffman, and "The Muppets Take Manhattan". He also starred in the critically acclaimed TV series "Buffalo Bill" and "The Slap Maxwell Story", earning Emmy nominations for both. He won his only Emmy, out of six nominations, for the 1987 TV movie "Sworn to Silence" and received a Golden Globe in 1988 for his performance in "Slap Maxwell".
Coleman's later roles included playing Mr. Drysdale in the film adaptation of "The Beverly Hillbillies" and the ruthless Commodore in HBO's "Boardwalk Empire". His last notable role was in the popular drama "Yellowstone".
On Friday, Goldberg expressed his sentiments, saying, "It has been a great privilege to have represented Dabney and to have been able to call him my friend. He will be missed greatly".
Actor Ben Stiller paid tribute to Coleman on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, "The great Dabney Coleman literally created, or defined, really—in a uniquely singular way—an archetype as a character actor. He was so good at what he did it’s hard to imagine movies and television of the last 40 years without him".
Dabney Coleman's legacy as a dynamic and impactful actor will continue to resonate through his extensive body of work and the memories he leaves behind.
