Philip Baker Hall, Consummate Character Actor from ‘Boogie Nights’ to ‘Modern Family,’ Dies at 90
13.06.2022 - 21:25
/ variety.com
Ellise Shafer Philip Baker Hall, the prolific character actor known for his roles in films like “Boogie Nights” and “Magnolia” and shows such as “Seinfeld” and “Modern Family,” has died. He was 90.Hall’s wife of nearly 40 years, Holly Wolfle Hall, confirmed the news to Associated Press, saying he died on Sunday in Glendale, Calif.
surrounded by loved ones.Hall had an impressive career of over six decades, holding roles in some of the most beloved movies and television of the modern era. His most memorable turns in film include the IRS Boss in “Say Anything,” Sydney in “Hard Eight,” Floyd Gondolli in “Boogie Nights,” Jimmy Gator in “Magnolia,” Jack Baylor in “Bruce Almighty,” Sherwood Morrill in “Zodiac” and a CIA director in “Argo.” When it came to TV, Hall gave over 200 guest performances, including as library cop Joe Bookman on “Seinfeld,” Sen.
Matt Hunt on “The West Wing,” Dr. Morrison on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and Walt Kleezak on “Modern Family.” Born in Toledo, Ohio on Sept.
10, 1931, Hall began his career as a United States Army translator in Germany and a high school teacher before pursuing acting as he entered his 40s. His film debut came in 1970 with “Cowards,” about the Vietnam War draft evasion, which screened at that year’s Cannes Film Festival.
His first TV guest roles came in the ’70s from “Good Times” (1976), “M*A*S*H” (1977) and “Man From Atlantis” (1977). Film work picked up for Hall during the ’80s, when he starred as Richard Nixon in “Secret Honor” (1984) and held supporting roles in movies like Garry Marshall’s “Nothing in Common” (1986), “Midnight Run” (1988) starring Robert De Niro, John Hughes’ classic rom-com “Say Anything” (1989) and “Ghostbusters II” (1989), in which he played the police
.