Philip Baker Hall

The veteran character actor died on Sunday night “surrounded by loved ones,” tweeted his neighbor, “Los Angeles Times” reporter Sam Farmer.

Hall was raised “in the slums of the north end of Toledo” during the Depression, as the actor told The Washington Post in 2017. Despite his wide range of work, Hall acknowledged he had a particular gift for portraying grim characters. Hall first met Anderson while filming a PBS movie, where Anderson was working as a production assistant. I didn’t know where to start,” Hall told the outlet. The actor’s naivete would give way to a five-decade career, with at least 185 titles on his IMDB page. The world has an empty space in it.”

The acclaimed character actor reportedly died peacefully 'surrounded by loved ones'

Defined as a storied character actor, Hall started out on stage in New York before embarking on a Hollywood career in the 1970s with small roles in Coma and on TV shows such as M*A*S*H and Good Times. “When I first came out here, I was totally naive. Anderson then gave him roles in Hard Eight, Boogie Nights and Magnolia, which led to even more work for Hall in the following decades. I really loved that Bookman. Now, I know you’ve done a lot of other things, but I loved that Bookman character.’ When they say, ‘I know you’ve done a lot of other things,’ it’s like, ‘You don’t know the half of it!’ But Bookman? Bookman hits a response button. “His voice at the end was still just as powerful,” she said. “People will say forever, at the supermarket or wherever, it doesn’t matter where, ‘Oh, you’re Bookman, right? “He was surrounded by loved ones.

Philip Baker Hall, the prolific character actor of film and theatre who starred in Paul Thomas Anderson's first...

Anderson would cast him again in Boogie Nights and Magnolia. In the 22nd episode of the sitcom in 1991, Hall played Lieutenant Joe Bookman, the library investigator who comes after Seinfeld for years-overdue copy of Tropic of Cancer. Born in Toledo, Ohio, Hall had been a well-traveled stage actor and bit-part presence in films and TV before a then-little-known Paul Thomas Anderson sought him out to star in his 1993 short film Cigarettes & Coffee.

'He was just a walking encyclopedia of film; he knew it all.'

“Hall looks a little like the real Nixon; he could be a cousin, and he sounds a little like him. “Then things just started exploding all over the place for me.” “He was just a walking encyclopedia of film; he knew it all,” Hall told the theater publication Playbill in 2000. “I remember that Jerry [Seinfeld] had a hard time keeping a straight face during the reading. Usually, when you read for things, no one lets on too much, even if they like you,” he added. Instantly recognizable for his hangdog expressions and leathery voice, he conveyed equal parts wisdom and melancholy with seeming ease

Philip Baker Hall, the prolific character actor of film and theatre who starred in Paul Thomas Anderson's first movies and memorably hunted down a ...

His range was wide, but Hall, who had a natural gravitas, often played men in suits, trench coats and lab coats. Hall, who was married to Dianne Lewis for three years in the early 1970s, is survived by his wife, four daughters, four grandchildren and his brother. Hall also appeared in Say Anything, The Truman Show, The Talented Mr Ripley, Zodiac, Argo and Rush Hour. He played neighbour Walt Kleezak on Modern Family, and his last performance was in the 2020 series Messiah. In 1991, for the 22nd episode of the sitcom, Hall played Lieutenant Joe Bookman, the library investigator who comes after Seinfeld for a years-overdue copy of Tropic of Cancer. "I'm reading this script, and I truly had trouble believing that that kid wrote this script," Hall told the AV Club in 2012. - The actor’s wife says Philip Baker Hall died on Sunday surrounded by loved ones at his home in California

Hall's many roles included parts in Midnight Run, Hard Eight, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and he was known for one of the most powerfully funny guest ...

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US character actor, best known for Seinfeld, Modern Family and Magnolia, has died.

My neighbor, friend, and one of the wisest, most talented and kindest people I’ve ever met, Philip Baker Hall, died peacefully last night. The world has an empty space in it.pic.twitter.com/pBCaILjHPT US character actor Philip Baker Hall, best known for Seinfeld, Modern Family and Magnolia, has died aged 90.

Philip Baker Hall, the beloved Hard Eight and Seinfeld star, has died as tributes pour in for the “Lieutenant Bookman” actor.

“Philip Baker Hall had one of the funniest scenes ever in the entire run of Seinfeld. Arguably funnier than anything any of the cast members ever did. And it was because of how he sold the scene. My neighbor, friend, and one of the wisest, most talented and kindest people I’ve ever met, Philip Baker Hall, died peacefully last night. Peepees and weewees, joy boy,” one fan shared. The world has an empty space in it.— Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) pic.twitter.com/pBCaILjHPT June 13, 2022 Stream more entertainment news live & on demand with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place.

The actor, who appeared in the popular US sitcom alongside Jerry Seinfeld, died on Sunday aged 90, according to his family.

It was an honour working with you in Zodiac. Kindness, generosity, humility, and great talent”. Hollywood star Mark Ruffalo, who starred alongside him in Zodiac, tweeted: “RIP Philip Baker Hall. One of the greats. US sitcom Seinfeld has paid tribute to “the great” Philip Baker Hall, following his death aged 90.

The actor, who appeared in the popular US sitcom alongside Jerry Seinfeld, died on Sunday aged 90, according to his family.

It was an honour working with you in Zodiac. Kindness, generosity, humility, and great talent”. Hollywood star Mark Ruffalo, who starred alongside him in Zodiac, tweeted: “RIP Philip Baker Hall. One of the greats. US sitcom Seinfeld has paid tribute to “the great” Philip Baker Hall, following his death aged 90.

Veteran character actor Philip Baker Hall, who died Monday at age 90, made an indelible impression as Lt. Joe Bookman on "Seinfeld."

His sweet spot was “men who are highly stressed, older men, who are at the limit of their tolerance for suffering and stress and pain,” Hall said. “They’re all starving.” And, furthermore, “you’re a theater actor. He just acts like he’s not in a comedy.” Hall returned as Bookman for “Seinfeld’s” much-debated 1998 finale. “I had an affinity for playing those roles.” It’s almost impossible to learn at your age.” There are nearly 180 “Seinfeld” episodes and a constellation of guest stars over nine seasons. As the hard-nosed, Folgers Crystals-imbibing, New York Public Library cop, Hall out-Fridays “Dragnet’s” Sgt. Joe Friday. He’s an alien from another era. Jerry had problems getting through the scene.” Hall appears in the 22nd episode, airing Oct. 16, 1991, early in the third season when Seinfeld and co-creator Larry David were still monkeying with the recipe. And furthermore: “What’s my problem? Few actors, if any, have marched onto a sitcom juggernaut and in a few minutes of sublime, dyspeptic, no-nonsense nonsense made such an enduring impression as Philip Baker Hall did.