Ben Stiller, James Woods and More Pay Tribute to Dabney Coleman

The ‘9 to 5’ and ‘Tootsie’ actor died on Thursday, his daughter told The Hollywood Reporter.

Dabney Coleman in 2001

Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images

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.

“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.”

Read more reactions and tributes to Coleman’s death below.

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

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

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

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