Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Ben Stiller and More Pay Tribute to Dabney Coleman
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Ben Stiller, James Woods, John Ales and more Hollywood notables have taken to social media to pay tribute to Dabney Coleman, who died at 92.
The legendary comic actor known for his roles in 9 to 5, Tootsie and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, died Thursday at his Santa Monica home, his daughter, singer Quincy Coleman, told The Hollywood Reporter.
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“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 said in a statement. “As he lived, he moved through this final act of his life with elegance, excellence and mastery.”
Following the news of his death, fellow actor Stiller took to X (formerly Twitter) to write, “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.”
Woods, who also lent his voice to the 2001 animated movie Recess: School’s Out alongside Coleman, shared on social media, “I’ve gone to Dan Tana’s restaurant regularly all my adult life. Dabney Coleman was always there, sitting in booth number one (appropriately), having his trademark steak. I had always loved him as an actor, and loved him more as we became friends. ##RIPDabneyColeman.”
The Emmy winner’s Madman of the People co-star John Ales wrote in a tribute, “As a kid I don’t think I found any villain more likable than mean Dabney Coleman. We shared a birthday. Months after my dad passed away, Dabney played my dad for the 1st time. We had countless dinners together. He was a complicated, hilarious genius who was so sweet to my mom.”
On Saturday, NBC’s Saturday Night Live also paid tribute to Coleman with a title card at the end of the live season 49 finale.
Read more reactions and tributes to Coleman’s death below.
We just loved him. pic.twitter.com/JpwvskaULF
— Tomlin and Wagner (@LilyTomlin) May 18, 2024
One of the most heart wrenching scenes I’ve been a part of. What an honor to have gotten to work with Dabney Coleman. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/dPFUuF6CBI
— Kevin Costner & MW (@modernwest) May 18, 2024
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
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) May 17, 2024
I've gone to Dan Tana's restaurant regularly all my adult life. Dabney Coleman was always there, sitting in booth number one (appropriately), having his trademark steak. I had always loved him as an actor, and loved him more as we became friends. ##RIPDabneyColeman
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) May 17, 2024
Dabney's gone and I'm very sad about that. One of a kind, baby.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) May 17, 2024
As a kid I don’t think I found any villain more likable than mean Dabney Coleman.
We shared a birthday.
Months after my dad passed away, Dabney played my dad for the 1st time. We had countless dinners together.
He was a complicated, hilarious genius who was so sweet to my mom.❤️ pic.twitter.com/P6sWeUPWBt— John Ales AF™️ (@IAmJohnAles) May 17, 2024
Dabney Coleman was one of my favorite actors growing up. Fantastic as a heel, always, but also a fantastic hero in CLOAK AND DAGGER. Gave iconic performances in 9 to 5 and TOOTSIE, two of the best comedies ever. There was nobody like him. May he Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/b2BXqonk3L
— Brian Lynch (@BrianLynch) May 17, 2024
RIP Dabney Coleman aka Jack Flack. So many great films he gave us all pic.twitter.com/F6JuKPAJIr
— Tom Holland (@RealTomHolland) May 17, 2024
We are so sad to report it has been confirmed we lost Dabney Coleman today. He was a legend on film. We are honored that “Still working 9 to 5 was his last film. Mr Hart lives on in our hearts. #dabneycoleman #9to5 #frankhart #stillworking9to5 ❤️😞 @DabneyColeman pic.twitter.com/S3a0W0pNoe
— stillworking9to5 (@9to5documentary) May 17, 2024
So very sorry to hear of the death of the wonderful #DabneyColeman. We went out for a bit in the ‘80s and I adored him. This town has lost one of a kind. He put his indelible stamp on every part & was also a helluva nice guy! Condolences to his family #RIPDabneyColeman pic.twitter.com/I6a4MJXAB1
— Morgan Fairchild (@morgfair) May 18, 2024
Long before the rise of anti-hero driven cable dramadies, Dabney Coleman was being a total dickhead on network TV on two of the best TV shows of my childhood. RIP. pic.twitter.com/XBCaJBveOE
— Duncan Birmingham (@DuncanBirm) May 17, 2024
We lost one of the GREATS.
His credits include some of my favorites: "On Golden Pond", "9 to 5", "Tootsie", “WarGames", & “Cloak & Dagger".
When Dabney Coleman was on screen, you couldn't take your eyes off of him. He stole the show.
RIP & Thank You for your gifts to Cinema. pic.twitter.com/8ujpv703by— Jon Donahue (@JonDonahue) May 17, 2024
Dabney Coleman quietly carried some of the best movies of the last 45 years. He was the kind of actor I strive to be. RIP to a true inspiration. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/wFuD3Q6hpr
— Morgan Peter Brown (@MorganPeteBrown) May 17, 2024
Dabney Coleman. From The Towering Inferno through WarGames & Dragnet to Boardwalk Empire, and everything along the way. What a career, what a presence. pic.twitter.com/SsJkKUpM1m
— Simon Underwood (@si_underwood) May 17, 2024
Rest in Peace Dabney Coleman, who will always be first-rate.
Here’s a music video I did for @311 years ago that remixes my favorite Dabney movie SHORT TIME and one of the best car chases ever.
Godspeed Bert…never forget your yogurt. https://t.co/f6PeOfZjKj— Joe Lynch🖕 (@TheJoeLynch) May 17, 2024
Dabney Coleman making a Dabney Coleman Martini.
RIP Dabney… pic.twitter.com/RPWkfh18Yi— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) May 17, 2024
RIP DABNEY COLEMAN. I got to work with him on Buffalo Bill and I was so honoured because I'd always thought he was absolutely brilliant!
— Miss Julie Brown (@missjuliebrown) May 17, 2024
Dabney Coleman was an actor of great range who could somehow make even the most contemptable characters endearing. He was my generation’s W.C. Fields.
— Alan Spencer (@MrAlanSpencer) May 17, 2024
Dabney Coleman was one of my favorite actors. He could truly do it all!
Do yourself a favor and watch the films Cloak & Dagger, 9 to 5, Modern Problems and a personal fav of mine Short Time.
RIP pic.twitter.com/j0QXxnRltk— Tarik Rashaan Davis (@tarikrdavis) May 17, 2024
RIP Dabney Coleman. Here he is killing it with fellow legends Charles Grodin, Martin Short and Mary Steenburgen in 1994 classic CLIFFORD pic.twitter.com/dMJRuAaaHe
— Thomas Cunningham (@spilledbagofice) May 17, 2024
One of my all-time favorite celebrity sightings: Harry Dean Stanton and Dabney Coleman at a nearby booth having dinner at Dan Tana’s #RIPlegends pic.twitter.com/qbyQiONdPU
— greg mottola (@gregmottola) May 17, 2024
“Buffalo Bill” was one of my fave sitcoms that ended its run too early. RIP its star, the exquisite Dabney Coleman.
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) May 18, 2024
Just a great one! As Miss Davis would say He “Daaaaared to be hated.” https://t.co/7W1UaWWWWb
— Mario Cantone (@macantone) May 17, 2024
Dabney Coleman created the most lovable villains in cinema history. He gave us his all in every performance and made us root for the most loathsome characters. What an absolute legend. #9to5 pic.twitter.com/8tSxKB0MPv
— John Digles (@JohnDigles) May 18, 2024
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