Richard Riehle, Tom Smykowski in 'Office Space,' Dies at 78. He Was Faithful in the Small Parts.

The facts come first below. My opinion follows in the section marked as opinion.

Richard Riehle, the character actor best known as Tom Smykowski, the anxious product manager in "Office Space," has died. He was 78.

Riehle died of natural causes Thursday in Los Angeles, his representatives confirmed to the Los Angeles Times. Variety also reported that he died of natural causes on Oct. 15. He is survived by his wife, Jane Latham, and their four children, Variety reported.

"A remarkable actor whose career in theater, film, and television spanned nearly five decades and more than 400 projects, Richard leaves behind an extraordinary legacy," his talent agency and management company said in a joint statement quoted by the Times. "Beyond his immense talent, he will be remembered for his genuine goodness, boundless kindness, and unwavering generosity, particularly toward emerging actors and filmmakers, whom he encouraged and supported at every opportunity." The statement added: "Our industry has lost an exceptional talent, and our community has lost a truly wonderful man."

The man with people skills

In Mike Judge's 1999 corporate satire, Riehle's Tom is laid off, survives a hit-and-run accident and wins a large settlement. In Variety's telling, the money let him follow his dreams and build his prototype "Jump to Conclusions" mat. As NBC News recalled, Tom rages against the prospect of getting laid off: "I have people skills! I am good at dealing with people! Can't you understand that?"

He made an impression even with little screen time, NBC noted. He played the guard who lets Harrison Ford's character escape in "The Fugitive," a racist quartermaster in "Glory," a mob banker in "Casino" and a kindly mechanic who helps Kristen Wiig in "Bridesmaids." On television he played Walt Finnerty, the father of Donal Logue's character, for five seasons on "Grounded for Life," the Times reported. He also appeared across the "Star Trek" franchise. Variety reported that he played Santa Claus in eight different projects.

Richard Mathias Riehle was born May 12, 1948, in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. He graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in speech and drama in 1970 before earning a master's in fine arts at the University of Minnesota, the Times reported. His first screen role with lines came in the 1977 movie "Joyride."

Logue paid tribute on Instagram. "Richard Riehle was an amazing human being," he wrote. "A consummate professional, he was an actor's actor — humble, kind, and incredible at his craft." Logue added that Riehle always had a novel stuffed in his back pocket, "never pulp stuff — always Hugo or Dostoevsky or another classic," the Times reported.

Opinion: Faithful in the small parts

Most of us never learned Richard Riehle's name. We knew his face, his mustache and his voice, and we were glad to see him every time. That is what a character actor does. He serves the story and lets someone else take the poster.

Riehle seemed to understand that the small parts are not small. He told Notre Dame Magazine, NBC News reported, "The lead isn't always the best part in a play or a movie." Jesus said it this way: "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." And Paul reminded the church that "those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary." Hollywood runs on stars, but it works because of the hundreds of dependable people around them.

Fifty years of steady work and more than 400 credits is a fine record. The tributes say something better, though. The people who worked beside him remember him as kind, generous to newcomers and humble. Success in the entertainment business often brings out the worst in people, and Riehle left a different example. We pray for comfort for his wife and children. For another family facing a hard loss this week, see Dock Line's Cindy Crawford's Family Breaks Silence on Presley Gerber's Death.