Actor Dabney Coleman of ‘9 to 5,’ ‘Tootsie’ fame dead at 92
Dabney Coleman dies Actor Dabney Coleman is pictured at the world premiere of the film "Where The Red Fern Grows" May 3, 2003, at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. Coleman, 92, died Thursday, May 16, 2024, at his home in Santa Monica, Calif. (Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images)
By Crystal Bonvillian, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Comic actor Dabney Coleman, who rose to fame portraying less than savory characters in films including “9 to 5″ and “Tootsie,” has died. He was 92.
Coleman died Thursday at his home in Santa Monica, California, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The actor’s daughter, singer Quincy Coleman, confirmed his death in a statement.
“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,” Quincy Coleman said. “As he lived, he moved through this final act of his life with elegance, excellence and mastery.
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.”
CNN reported that Coleman, a native of Austin, Texas, was a U.S. Army veteran who studied law before pursuing an acting career. He worked in television in guest roles through the 1960s and 1970s before landing a role in the television show “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.”
“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 said.
The actor hit his stride in the 1980s, which saw him in supporting roles as the lecherous boss in “9 to 5,” the Oscar-winning comedy “Tootsie” opposite Dustin Hoffman, and “The Muppets Take Manhattan,” according to CNN. He also starred in critically acclaimed, but short-lived, TV series “Buffalo Bill” and “The Slap Maxwell Story.”
Coleman was nominated for Emmys for both series, the network said. His sole win out of six nominations, however, came for the 1987 television movie “Sworn to Silence.”
He also won a Golden Globe for his role in “Slap Maxwell.”
Coleman’s more recent roles included Commodore Louis Kaestner on HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” and his final role as the father of Kevin Costner’s character on “Yellowstone.”
According to CNN, Coleman is survived by his four children and five grandchildren.
Dabney Coleman: Dabney Coleman arrives at AFI FEST 2016 at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Dabney Coleman: Dabney Coleman, left, appearing in a 1970 episode of "Dan August." (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Con)
Dabney Coleman: Dabney Coleman appearing in the 1973 Walt Disney Television movie, "The President's Plane Is Missing." (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Con)
Dabney Coleman: Dabney Coleman appearing on the ABC television movie "Egan" in 1973. (Walt Disney Television Photo Arc/Disney General Entertainment Con)
Dabney Coleman: Dabney Coleman and Dave Madden in a 1978 episode of "The Love Boat." (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Con)
Dabney Coleman: From left, Jack Gilford, Rue McClanahan, Dabney Coleman in a promotional photo for the 1978 ABC series "Apple Pie." (Walt Disney Television Photo Arc/Disney General Entertainment Con)
Dabney Coleman: Dabney Coleman, left, appears in an 1979 episode of "Diff'rent Strokes." (NBC/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Dabney Coleman: Suzanne Somers and Donald Sutherland argue with Dabney Coleman in a scene from the 1980 film "Nothing Personal." (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Dabney Coleman: Dolly Parton confront Dabney Coleman in the 1980 movie, "9 to 5." (Apic/Getty Images)
Dabney Coleman: Dustin Hoffman, left, looks on as Dabney Coleman, center, and George Gaynes argue in a scene from the film "Tootsie" in 1982. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Dabney Coleman: Dabney Coleman with the cast of "Buffalo Bill" in 1983. (NBC/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Dabney Coleman: Dabney Coleman, left, talks with John Wood about the NORAD defense computers in a scene for the MGM/UA movie "WarGames" circa 1983. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Dabney Coleman: Dolly Parton and Dabney Coleman in 1988. (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Con)
Dabney Coleman: Dabney Coleman is flanked by actors Clarence Williams and Harry Dean Stanton outside Dan Tanas restaurant in West Hollywood, California, in 2002. (David Klein/Getty Images)
Courting Alex Dabney Coleman, right, ties to manipulate Josh Stamberg into turning down a partner position at another firm while Jenna Elfman watches during a 2006 episode of "Courting Alex."
without making him a counteroffer, in the CBS comedy series "Courting Alex." (CBS Photo Archive/CBS via Getty Images)
Dabney Coleman: Dolly Parton, Dabney Coleman, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. (R. Diamond/WireImage)