Dabney Coleman Remembered By Hollywood As A Transcendent Talent

Bruce Haring

May 17, 2024 at 7:47 PM·2 min read

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Dabney Coleman made anything he appeared in better. That was the consensus as news reached his show business colleagues of his death today at 92.

Words like “perfect,” “exceptional” and “the best” were all used to describe Coleman’s body of work, which carried many of the projects he appeared in. As Richard Roeper said of Coleman’s frequent villain roles, “He was the best at playing guys who were the worst.”

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Some of the early reactions:

Dabney Coleman had the perfect character actor name, the best character actor mustache, the classic character actor chops. He was the best at playing guys who were the worst. pic.twitter.com/he2RGmsFSp
— Richard Roeper (@RichardERoeper) 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 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

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

RIP Dabney Coleman aka Jack Flack. So many great films he gave us all pic.twitter.com/F6JuKPAJIr
— Tom Holland (@RealTomHolland) 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

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

Denise Petski contributed to this report.

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Dabney Coleman Remembered By Hollywood As A Transcendent Talent

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