Dabney Coleman, the character actor who starred in such popular films as 9 To 5, Tootsie and On Golden Pond and the cult TV classic Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, has died at the age of 92.
Coleman passed away at his home in the Santa Monica neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday, his daughter Quincy Coleman confirmed with the Associated Press.
‘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 reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
‘As he lived, he moved through this final act of his life with elegance, excellence and mastery,’ she added.
His career stretched over six decades with about an equal amount of acting credits in both film and television.
Ben Stiller, James Woods and more reacted to his passing on social media after his death was confirmed by his daughter.
Celebrities are taking to social media to celebrate the life and career of Dabney Coleman, who passed away on Thursday, May 16, at his home in Santa Monica
Ben Stiller , James Woods and more reacted to his passing on social media after his death was confirmed by his daughter
Actor and comedian Ben Stiller was among the high-profile people to share some kind words for Coleman on X (formerly known as Twitter).
‘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. Xxx,’ the Meet The Parents star, 58, shared.
James Woods, who lent his voice to the animated movie Recess: School’s Out (2001) alongside Coleman, revealed how he respected him as an actor from afar and after they became pals.
‘I’ve gone to Dan Tana’s restaurant regularly all my adult life. Dabney Coleman was always there, sitting in booth number one (appropriately), having his trademark steak,’ Woods, 77, shared. ‘I had always loved him as an actor, and loved him more as we became friends. #RIPDabneyColeman’
Michael McKean shared screen time with the late actor in the comedy film Young Doctors In Love (1982). The This Is Spinal Tap star took to X and shared: ‘Dabney’s gone and I’m very sad about that. One of a kind, baby.’
Screenwriter Tom Holland, 80, joined in with tributes for Coleman, writing, ‘RIP Dabney Coleman aka Jack Flack. So many great films he gave us all,’ he shared, in a reference to his film he wrote Cloak & Dagger (1984) that starred Coleman in the spy adventure film.
John Ales had the privilege of having Coleman play his father in the NBC sitcom Madman Of The People (1994-1995), which aired for just one season.
‘As a kid I don’t think I found any villain more likable than mean Dabney Coleman. We shared a birthday. Months after my dad passed away, Dabney played my dad for the 1st time,’ Ales, 55, wrote. ‘We had countless dinners together. He was a complicated, hilarious genius who was so sweet to my mom.’
Ben Stiller, 58, acknowledged Coleman for being the ‘archetype as a character actor’
James Woods, 77, shared how he got to relish in his friendship with the late actor after starring together in voice role in Recess: School’s Out (2001)
This Is Spinal Tap star Michael McKean, 76, who shared screen time with the late actor in the comedy film Young Doctors In Love (1982), called him a ‘one of a kind, baby’
Screenwriter Tom Holland, 80, referenced his role in his spy film Cloak & Dagger (1984)
John Ales had the privilege of having Coleman play his father in the NBC sitcom Madman Of The People (1994-1995)
Film and comic book writer Brian Lynch also joined in to share his thoughts on his passing, revealing how ‘Dabney Coleman was one of my favorite actors growing up. Fantastic as a heel, always, but also a fantastic hero in CLOAK AND DAGGER. Gave iconic performances in 9 to 5 and TOOTSIE, two of the best comedies ever. There was nobody like him. May he Rest in Peace.’
Jon Donahue, 52, shared some of his favorite Coleman films when he took to social media with a tribute.
‘We lost one of the GREATS. His credits include some of my favorites: “On Golden Pond”, “9 to 5”, “Tootsie”, “WarGames”, & “Cloak & Dagger”, Donahue shared. ‘When Dabney Coleman was on screen, you couldn’t take your eyes off of him. He stole the show. RIP & Thank You for your gifts to Cinema.’
Duncan Birmingham, 49, remembered the character actor for two of his roles on television: Buffalo Bill (1983–1984) and The Slap Maxwell Story (1987–1988).
Film and comic book writer Brian Lynch called Coleman ‘one of my favorite actors growing up’
Jon Donahue, 52, shared some of his favorite Coleman films when he took to social media
Duncan Birmingham, 49, remembered the character actor for two of his roles on television: Buffalo Bill (1983–1984) and The Slap Maxwell Story (1987–1988)
Morgan Peter Brown used Coleman as the standard to being an actor
‘Long before the rise of anti-hero driven cable dramadies, Dabney Coleman was being a total d***head on network TV on two of the best TV shows of my childhood. RIP,’ the Writer, director and actor gushed.
Morgan Peter Brown used Coleman as the standard to being an actor, writing on X: ‘Dabney Coleman quietly carried some of the best movies of the last 45 years. He was the kind of actor I strive to be. RIP to a true inspiration.’
Coleman began his professional career as an actor with a guest-starring role on the police procedural Naked City (1961), which ran on ABC for four seasons.
Over the course of the next 15 years or so the Austin, Texas native struggled to land film roles while he racked up credits for television as a guest star, which included multiple appearances and recurring roles in The Outer Limits (1964), The Fugitive (1964-1966), That Girl (1966-1967), and Bright Promise (1971-1972).
The character actor scored a string of hit films into the 1980s, including the comedy film 9 To 5 (1980) with Dolly Parton, Lili Tomlin and Jane Fonda
The Austin, Texas native also was part of the main cast for the romantic comedy film Tootsie (1982), alongside Dustin Hoffman and Jessica Lange
Coleman also was a vital part of the cast for the techno thriller film WarGames (1983) starring lead actor Matthew Broderick
But more work, respect and visibility as an actor seemed to come after he was cast as Fernwood’s slightly devious mayor Merle Jeeter in the satirical soap opera Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976-1977).
Eventually carving out a career where his face and name become more recognizable, more high-profile roles in films and television began to mount up in the second half of the 1970s into the 1980s.
Over the next decade or so he starred in such big screen movies as The Other Side Of The Mountain (1975), Midway (1976), The Other Side of the Mountain Part 2 (1978), North Dallas Forty (1979), 9 to 5 (1980), On Golden Pond (1981), Tootsie (1982), WarGames (1983), Cloak & Dagger (1984), and The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984), among others.
Coleman continued to land juicy roles into the 1990s and beyond with such movies as The Beverly Hillbillies (1993), You’ve Got Mail (1998), Inspector Gadget (1999), Recess: School’s Out (2001), Moonlight Mile (2002), and Rules Don’t Apply (2016).
In what was potentially his last role of his career, Coleman starred as John Dutton Jr., father to Kevin Costner’s character John Dutton III on Yellowstone (2019) in episode 10 of season two
Dabey Coleman, who was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 2014, leaves behind his four children , three of which he shared with ex-wife Jean Hale
During that time he also kept accumulating credits on television with Madman Of The People (1994-1995), Recess (1997-2001), The Guardian (2001–2004), Recess (1997–2001), and Boardwalk Empire (2010–2011).
In what was potentially his last role of his career, Coleman starred as John Dutton Jr., father to Kevin Costner’s character John Dutton III on Yellowstone (2019) in episode 10 of season two.
The family man was married to Ann Courtney Harrell from 1957 to 1959 and after their divorce he tied-the-knot again with Jean Hale, which went from 1961 to 1984.
He had three children together with Hales: daughters Kelly and Quincy and son Randy.
Coleman also has a daughter named Meghan, but it is unclear with whom, as conflicting reports say it may be with ex wife Harrell.
