Dabney Coleman dies at 92 as 9 to 5 villain and You’ve Got Mail star remembered after huge 60-year TV and movie career
DABNEY Coleman has reportedly died at the age of 92.
The longtime actor famously starred in film comedies You’ve Got Mail, 9 to 5, and Tootsie.
His death at 92 was confirmed to family friend Alison Martino, Extra reports.
She shared a tribute to the late actor on social media.
Alison posted a series of photos with Dabney, including ones from 2007, 2014, and 2022.
The actor’s daughter, Quincy Coleman, stated, “My Father, Dabney Wharton Coleman, took his last earthly breath peacefully and exquisitely in his home on Thursday, May 16th, 2024 at 1:50 PM,” in a statement to TMZ.
“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,” she added.
Quincy concluded, “As he lived, he moved through this final act of his life with elegance, excellence, and mastery.
“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.”
The actor’s death comes after recent health issues.
He canceled his appearance at an autograph show at the Chiller Theatre in New Jersey in April on his doctor’s orders.
“RIP Dabney Coleman, 92,” tweeted one fan.
They added, “I knew this was coming when he pulled out of Chiller Theatre last second on doctor’s orders. Great actor.”
“Was an amazing actor who could play anything,” a second fan wrote.
Over his 60-year career, the Hollywood legend was nominated for six Emmys, one of which he won for his work in 1987’s Sworn to Silence.
Dabney won a Golden Globe for The Slap Maxwell Story in 1988 and later won two SAG Awards alongside the ensemble of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire.
Before his death, the prolific actor tallied almost 200 acting credits with his last credited on-screen appearance coming on Yellowstone opposite Kevin Costner.
EARLY LIFE
The youngest of four children, Dabney Wharton Coleman was born on Jan. 3, 1932, in Austin, Texas.
His father died of pneumonia when he was 4, leaving his mother to raise the family in Corpus Christi.
Dabney attended the Virginia Military Institute for two years before serving in the U.S. Army’s Special Services Division for another after which he traveled back to Austin where he studied law at the University of Texas.
Though lovable off-screen, Dabney made a career of playing film and TV villains.
ACTING CAREER
His first onscreen speaking appearance came on a 1961 episode of Naked City but audiences weren’t treated to the actor’s grouchy demeanor until 1976’s soap opera satire, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman where he played Ohio Mayor Merle Jeeter.
In 2012, Dabney spoke about his big break during an interview with The A.V. Club.
He called the gig, which was only supposed to last six episodes, “the turning point” of his career and “probably the best thing” he ever did.
Dabney described Jeeter as “just wonderful, just a once-in-a-lifetime character,” he said.
He continued, “[Jeeter] 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.”
Dabney continued his villainous streak as chauvinistic boss Franklin Hart Jr. in the workplace comedy 9 to 5.
The 1980 comedy starred Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton, in her film debut.
“All of ’em were well-established,” Dabney said of his co-stars.
“Here’s this guy coming off of Mary Hartman,” he continued before joking, “Which is not too shabby.
“But it was late-night TV. Anyway, what I’m alluding to is that all three of them went out of their way to make me feel equal. There’s no other way to put it.”
In the Dustin Hoffman-led Tootsie, Dabney played a sexist TV director who’s dating an actress, played by Jessica Lange, on his soap opera, Southwest General.
During a 2010 Vulture interview, the actor was asked if he was proud to have helped make television “safe for jerky lead characters.”
“It’s fun playing those roles. You get to do outlandish things, things that you want to do, probably, in real life, but you just don’t because you’re a civilized human being,” Dabney replied.
He added, “There are no-holds-barred when you’re playing [jerks] – I couldn’t imagine anyone not loving playing those parts.”
Dabney, who was married and divorced twice, is survived by his 4 children.