‘Nine to Five’ actor Dabney Coleman dies at 92

Advance:

• Actor Dabney Coleman has died.
• He was 92 years old.
• Coleman will be remembered for playing grumpy bossy bad guys in films like ‘9 to 5.’

Dabney Coleman, who made a career playing grumpy guys who get brought down by the heroes of the movies and shows he appears in, has died. He was 92 years old.

Despite his on-screen reputation as a grump, in real life he is remembered as a kind, if complicated, man.

Dabney Coleman: early life and career

Coleman was born in 1932 in Austin, Texas. Following the death of his father, he was raised by his mother and attended the Virginia Military Institute before serving in the Army and later studying law at the University of Texas.

Shortly before graduating, Coleman decided to abandon his studies and dedicate himself to acting, moving to New York, where he was trained by Sanford Meisner.

She made her Broadway debut in 1961’s ‘A Call on Kuprin,’ which launched a successful stage career, which she later parlayed into a wide variety of guest roles on television shows, including ‘Kojak,’ ‘I Dream of Jeannie,’ ‘ The Outer Limits’, ‘Dr. Kildare’ and ‘Bonanza’.

More recently, he appeared in films such as ‘Boardwalk Empire’, ‘Ray Donovan’ and ‘Yellowstone’.

Dabney Coleman: film work

First appearing in 1965’s ‘The Slender Thread,’ Coleman’s film career was almost as eclectic as his television work, initially focusing on small roles in films such as ‘The Towering Inferno.’

However, he will be best remembered for playing sexist boss Franklin Hart Jr. in ‘Nine to Five’, providing a perfect foil to Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin. He enjoyed a much friendlier relationship with Fonda’s character the following year in ‘On Golden Pond.’

Other notable film works include ‘WarGames’, ‘Tootsie’, ‘Cloak & Dagger’, ‘The Muppets Take Manhattan’, ‘The Beverly Hillbillies’, ‘You’ve Got Mail’ and ‘Moonlight Mile’. His most recent film role was in Warren Beatty’s ‘Rules Don’t Apply’.

Ben Stiller was among those who paid tribute following the news of Coleman’s death:

The great Dabney Coleman literally created, or really defined – in a unique and singular way – an archetype as a character actor. He was so good at what he did that it’s hard to imagine movies and television of the last 40 years without him. xxx

—Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) May 17, 2024

Dabney Coleman dies: family statement

Dabney Coleman as John Dutton Sr. in Paramount Network’s ‘Yellowstone.’ Credit: Paramount Network.

Coleman’s daughter, Quincy, confirmed his death in a statement:

“My father designed his time here on earth with a curious mind, a generous heart and a soul burning with passion, desire and humor that tickled humanity. While he lived, he moved forward in this final act of his life with elegance, excellence and mastery. A teacher, a hero, and a king, Dabney Coleman is a gift and a blessing in life and death, as his spirit will shine through his work, his loved ones, and his legacy. .Eternally. And always: ‘A damn good-looking man.’”

Coleman was married and divorced twice, to Ann Courtney Harrell from 1957 to 1959, then to Jean Hale from 1961 to 1984. He is survived by his children, Meghan, Kelly, Randy and Quincy Coleman; and his grandchildren, Hale and Gabe Torrance, Luie Freundl and Kai and Coleman Biancaniello.

(From left to right) Dabney Coleman and Lily Tomlin in ‘The Beverly Hillbillies’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Dabney Coleman Movies and TV Shows:

Buy Dabney Coleman Movies on Amazon