Dabney Coleman, the talented character actor known for his portrayal of smarmy villains such as the chauvinistic boss in “9 to 5” and the nasty TV director in “Tootsie,” has passed away at the age of 92.
Coleman passed away peacefully and gracefully at his residence in Santa Monica, as confirmed by his daughter, Quincy Coleman. In a statement to The Associated Press, she mentioned that he took his final breath in tranquility.
Related posts
According to Ben Stiller, Dabney Coleman has truly established himself as an archetype in the world of character actors. His exceptional talent and unique approach have left a lasting impact on the film and television industry over the past four decades. Stiller believes that Coleman’s contributions are so significant that it is difficult to envision the entertainment landscape without his presence.
He was honored with a Golden Globe for his outstanding performance in “The Slap Maxwell Story” and received an Emmy Award for his brilliant portrayal in Peter Levin’s 1987 legal drama “Sworn to Silence.” Recently, he has appeared in notable shows like “Ray Donovan” and has had a recurring role on “Boardwalk Empire,” earning him two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
In the iconic 1980 hit “9 to 5,” he played the role of the boss who tormented his underappreciated female employees, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton. His character was portrayed as a sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot. However, the tables were turned when the women took matters into their own hands.
In 1981, he portrayed Fonda’s considerate and polite boyfriend in the film “On Golden Pond.” In a memorable scene, he asks her father, played by her real-life father Henry Fonda, for permission to spend the night with her during their visit to her parents’ vacation home.
In the movie “Tootsie,” Coleman played the role of an obnoxious director of a daytime soap opera. His character crosses paths with Dustin Hoffman’s character, who pretends to be a woman in order to join the show. Coleman also appeared in several other notable films, including “North Dallas Forty,” “Cloak and Dagger,” “Dragnet,” “Meet the Applegates,” “Inspector Gadget,” and “Stuart Little.” He later reunited with Hoffman in Brad Silberling’s “Moonlight Mile,” where he portrayed a land developer alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.
One prime example of this is the TV show “Buffalo Bill” (1983-84). It showcased Coleman’s exceptional talent as he portrayed the character “Buffalo Bill” Bittinger, a conceited and dimwitted daytime talk show host who harbored resentment towards his placement in the small-scale market of Buffalo, New York. This resentment seeped into his interactions with those around him. Despite its clever writing and a stellar cast, the show unfortunately only ran for two seasons.
In 1987, Coleman starred in “The Slap Maxwell Story,” portraying a struggling sportswriter determined to salvage his failing marriage while also pursuing a charming young reporter.
In his quest to reach a mass TV audience, he encountered several unsuccessful ventures. “Apple Pie,” “Drexell’s Class,” and “Madman of the People” were among these failed attempts. In “Drexell’s Class,” he portrayed an inside trader, while in “Madman of the People,” he found himself at odds with his younger boss, who happened to be his daughter.
Beneath his confident exterior, Coleman was actually a reserved individual. He openly admitted that he was quite shy, despite his larger-than-life persona. In an interview with The Associated Press in 1984, he revealed, “I’ve been shy all my life. Perhaps it stems from being the youngest of four children, all of them exceptionally good-looking, including a brother who was as handsome as Tyrone Power. Maybe it’s because my father passed away when I was just 4 years old.” He further explained, “I was incredibly small, just a little boy who didn’t cause any trouble. I found solace in the world of fantasy and created my own games.”
In 1984, Coleman shared with The AP that he considered the person he met to be the most dynamic individual he had ever encountered. Their influence was so impactful that they convinced him to pursue a career in acting. Without hesitation, Coleman made the bold decision to leave for New York the very next day to study acting. Although this choice may not have seemed wise in the eyes of others, Coleman remained steadfast in his determination.
Quincy Coleman wrote a touching tribute to his father, describing him as a man who lived his life with curiosity, kindness, and a vibrant spirit. His father’s passion, desire, and sense of humor brought joy to people’s lives and left a lasting impression on their hearts.
