Richard Riehle

Biography: A Windy City native, distinguished character actor Richard Riehle earned his undergraduate degree from Notre Dame and his master's from the University of Minnesota, then took his first cinematic bow with a bit part in 1975's Western Rooster Cogburn -- opposite John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn. After Rooster, Riehle abandoned screen work for over a decade to hit the East Coast and focus almost exclusively on Broadway and regional theater. Ed Zwick's acclaimed Civil War opus Glory (1989) marked Riehle's Hollywood comeback; he subsequently increased his screen time dramatically, and chalked up a resumé playing everymen -- usually heavyset and unpolished working stiffs such as policemen, detectives, judges, and bartenders -- in literally dozens of films. Riehle's credits include Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), Mercury Rising (1998), Office Space (1999), Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999), and National Lampoon's Dorm Daze 2 (2006). The actor is also known for his regular presence onA Windy City native, distinguished character actor Richard Riehle earned his undergraduate degree from Notre Dame and his master's from the University of Minnesota, then took his first cinematic bow with a bit part in 1975's Western Rooster Cogburn -- opposite John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn. After Rooster, Riehle abandoned screen work for over a decade to hit the East Coast and focus almost exclusively on Broadway and regional theater. Ed Zwick's acclaimed Civil War opus Glory (1989) marked Riehle's Hollywood comeback; he subsequently increased his screen time dramatically, and chalked up a resumé playing everymen -- usually heavyset and unpolished working stiffs such as policemen, detectives, judges, and bartenders -- in literally dozens of films. Riehle's credits include Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), Mercury Rising (1998), Office Space (1999), Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999), and National Lampoon's Dorm Daze 2 (2006). The actor is also known for his regular presence on two television series: the 1990 Ferris Bueller (as Principal Ed Rooney) and the 2001-2005 Grounded for Life (as Walt Finnerty). Riehle subsequently returned to National Lampoon work with the 2007 frat-boy comedy National Lampoon Presents The Beach Party at the Threshold of Hell. Expand

Richard Riehle's Scores

  • Movies
  • TV
Average career score: 48
Highest Metascore: 79 Free Willy
Lowest Metascore: 20 Spinning Into Butter
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 36
  2. Negative: 14 out of 36
36 movie reviews
Title: Year: Credit: User score:
tbd A Plumm Summer Apr 25, 2008 Art Bublin 9.2
57 Hatchet Sep 7, 2007 Mr. Permatteo / Mr. Permatteo 7.1
71 Neo Ned Sep 8, 2006 Officer Pendleton 8.4
38 The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green Jun 16, 2006 Hat Sister / Hat Sister 5.7
74 Mysterious Skin May 6, 2005 Charlie 8.1
41 The Hebrew Hammer Dec 19, 2003 Santa 6.1
26 Time Changer Oct 25, 2002 Dr. Wiseman 5.1
tbd Blink of an Eye Oct 16, 2002 Main Prison Guard tbd
53 The Fluffer Nov 16, 2001 Sam Martins 7.3
60 Bandits Oct 12, 2001 Larry Fife 7.6
21 Say It Isn't So Mar 23, 2001 Sheriff Merle Hobbs 2.0
30 Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo Dec 10, 1999 Bob Bigalow / Bob Bigalow 5.8
68 Office Space Feb 19, 1999 Tom Smykowski 6.7
37 Mercury Rising Apr 3, 1998 Edgar Halstrom 6.3
79 Free Willy Jul 16, 1993 Wade 7.3
29 Body of Evidence Jan 15, 1993 Detective Griffin 8.0
73 Of Mice and Men Oct 2, 1992 Carlson 7.4
61 Hero Oct 2, 1992 Robinson tbd
64 Fried Green Tomatoes Jan 24, 1992 Reverend Scroggins / Reverend Scroggins tbd
56 Black Rain Sep 22, 1989 Crown 6.9