‘9 To 5’ Star Dabney Coleman Dies At 92

Actor Dabney Coleman died on May 16 in Santa Monica, California, at 92. The character actor was best known for playing the villainous boss in the 1980 comedy film 9 to 5, which also starred Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton.

Coleman’s daughter, Quincy, shared the news in a statement on Friday. “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.”

“As he lived, he moved through this final act of his life with elegance, excellence and master. 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.”

Coleman acted for almost 70 years before his passing. His filmography includes notable films and television shows such as Inspector Gadget, You’ve Got Mail, Buffalo Bill and Boardwalk Empire. His final role was an episode of the drama series Yellowstone starring Kevin Costner.

Coleman won a Golden Globe Award in 1987 for The Slap Maxwell Story. He received a Primetime Emmy Award the following year for Sworn to Silence. 

After his passing, several actors paid tribute to Coleman on social media. Coleman’s 9 to 5 co-star Tomlin wrote, “We just loved him,” over an image from the film. 

Ben Stiller posted to X, writing, “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.”