Dabney Coleman, the star of '9 to 5' renowned for portraying jerks throughout his career, passes away at the age of 92.
The Texas native got laughs for his boorish behavior in 'Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,' 'Tootsie,' 'Buffalo Bill' and much more.
Dabney Coleman JEFFERY NEWBURY/TV GUIDE/NBC/COURTESY EVERETT COLLECTION
Dabney Coleman, the beloved comedic actor known for his roles in "9 to 5," "Tootsie," and "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," has passed away at the age of 92.
Coleman, renowned for his ability to portray characters lacking redeeming qualities, died on Thursday at his residence in Santa Monica, as confirmed by his daughter, singer Quincy Coleman, to The Hollywood Reporter.
“My father lived his life with a curious mind, a generous heart, and a soul ablaze with passion, desire, and humor that resonated with audiences,” she expressed. “As he journeyed through this final chapter of his life, he did so with grace, distinction, and expertise.”
"Dabney Coleman, a teacher, a hero, and a king, remains a gift and blessing both in life and in death, as his spirit will continue to shine through his work, his loved ones, and his legacy ... eternally."
The Emmy-winning actor also portrayed an irascible talk show host in upstate New York on NBC’s "Buffalo Bill," but despite critical acclaim, the series lasted just 26 episodes.
He had at least three other attempts at headlining his own sitcoms, but ABC’s "The Slap Maxwell Story," Fox’s "Drexell’s Class," and NBC’s "Madman of the People" failed to make it through their first seasons before being canceled.
More recently, the amiable Coleman brought his signature mustache to various roles, playing Burton Fallin, the owner of a law firm and father of Simon Baker’s character, on the CBS drama "The Guardian"; portraying Atlantic City power broker Commodore Louis Kaestner on HBO’s "Boardwalk Empire"; and taking on the role of John Dutton Sr. (the father of Kevin Costner’s character) on "Yellowstone."
Audiences were introduced to the Texan’s cantankerous charms in 1976 when Coleman appeared as the feisty Fernwood, Ohio, mayor Merle Jeeter on Norman Lear's late-night soap-opera satire, "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman."
In a 2012 interview with The A.V. Club, Coleman described that role, which was initially meant to last only six episodes, as "the turning point in my career" and "probably the best thing I ever did."
"Jeeter was just wonderful, just a once-in-a-lifetime character," he said. "He was just the worst human being. ... 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. I was pretty good at doing that."
Coleman proved his talent again as the chauvinistic, backstabbing boss Franklin Hart Jr. in the workplace comedy "9 to 5," the 1980 cinematic emblem of women’s liberation that starred Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and, in her movie debut, Dolly Parton. Despite being portrayed as a rotten character, Hart ends up getting hogtied by his secretary, Parton’s Doralee Rhodes.
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