Richard Riehle (born May 12, 1948) is an American character actor with a steady, decades‑long presence in film, television, voice work and on stage. Born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, he trained and studied at the University of Notre Dame and later at the University of Minnesota. His career is best known for a wide range of supporting parts rather than lead roles; he is often cast as everyday authority figures, neighbors, clerks and fathers.

Overview and notable work

Riehle has appeared in a variety of popular and independent films. Among widely recognized titles are Office Space, The Man from Earth, Messengers 2: The Scarecrow, Chillerama, and family films such as Treasure Buddies and Santa Buddies. For a more complete list of credits see his filmography page here or specific film pages such as The Man from Earth and Office Space.

Career characteristics

As a character actor Riehle’s strengths include versatility and dependability on set. He frequently fills supporting roles that require grounded, believable performances and can be relied upon to give scenes weight without dominating them. This type of range has made him a familiar face across genres—from comedy and family entertainment to horror and science fiction.

Background and development

Riehle’s Midwestern origins in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, informed an early interest in theater and performance. He pursued formal study at the University of Notre Dame and further training at the University of Minnesota, then worked in regional theater before expanding into screen work. His pathway—stage training followed by steady television and film work—is typical for many long‑running character actors.

Selected credits and contexts

  • Office Space — a widely referenced workplace comedy.
  • The Man from Earth — an independent science‑fiction drama noted for its dialogue-driven premise.
  • Family films — such as Treasure Buddies and Santa Buddies, demonstrating his adaptability to different audiences.

For regional or personal background information one can consult local sources about Menomonee Falls here and institutional pages for his alma maters: the University of Notre Dame here and the University of Minnesota here. Riehle’s career exemplifies the prolific, steady work of a professional character actor whose contributions support and enrich many productions without always attracting headline attention.