Philip Baker Hall, a character actor best known for his appearances in the early work of Paul Thomas Anderson, has died. Holly Wolfle, Hall's wife, confirmed the actor's death early Monday, saying that he died surrounded by loved ones at his home in Los Angeles. The man was 90. Sam Farmer is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Philip Baker Hall, a friend and neighbor of Farmer, died peacefully last night. He was surrounded by family and friends. The world doesn't have anything in it. Hall grew up in the slums of the north end of Toledo during the early years of the depression. The son of a factory worker with a fifth- grade education, Hall developed a love for acting at the University of Toledo and later served as an Army translator in Germany. Hall got his first screen credit in 1970, but it was not a good one. An agent told him that he already had too many middle aged actors. They're all hungry. Hall was able to land roles on hit TV shows like M*A*S*H*. He had appeared on stage in more than 100 roles. The Great White Way lost. William H. Macy said thatPhilip owned the stage when they starred in American Buffalo. The 80s saw a turn in Hall's career, with him landing parts in hit comedies. Hall is the only actor in the film and it would be difficult for him to portray Nixon. It was Larry David who gave Hall his break. Hall teaches the comedian how to host properly, like keeping coffee in the cupboard and forgetting about it. An example of the comedy world created by Seinfeld and David is Hall's 1991 appearance, in which he makes an unflappable logic for something completely ludicrous. The library has investigators. How else would they find the books that were missing? Bookman testified against the main cast in the show's final episode. He set the standard.
David saidPhilip has made him laugh harder than any other actor.
After two years, Hall's career took a turn. In Paul Thomas Anderson's 1993 project Cigarettes & Coffee, Hall played the role of Sydney. Anderson and Hall met on the set of a PBS movie. He seemed to be about 16 years old. The young director and veteran performer became friends.
Coffee & Cigarettes was the basis for Anderson's first movie, Hard Eight. After a trying experience for the director, who would essentially abandon the project after heavy edits from the studio, Hard Eight solidified a partnership between Anderson and Hall. Anderson wrote Hall into two of his films.
Hall was turned into a classic "that guy" celebrity, a distinguished character actor that audiences know, trust, and enjoy, but not one they can name, thanks to his roles in Anderson's films. That reputation didn't affect Hall's career He appeared on Modern Family, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and BoJack Horseman, as well as in movies like Bruce Almighty and The Insider.
Even the most ridiculous situation with a world-weary sincerity was made possible by Hall's stern voice and weathered appearance. The actor talked to the A.V. Club about the exaggerated humorless figures that make up Hall's resume.
I’ve done so many comic roles, too, over the years that I’ve balanced it out. So it’s okay. Also, those guys are often pretty interesting to play, because they often have their own odd little sides to them that can be explored and that are fun to work with. So, yeah, I’m cool with whatever comes my way. I’m just happy to still be working and to have been able to do it this long. It’s a privilege.
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