Basil Hoffman obit

Basil Hoffman, ‘The Artist’ and ‘Ordinary People’ Actor, Dies at 83

He had over 200 acting credits across stage, film and television.

 

He was not on the list.

Basil Hoffman, who starred in the Academy Award-winning films The Artist and Ordinary People, has died. He was 83.

Hoffman died on Sept. 17, his longtime friend and personal manager Brad Lemack announced on Thursday.

The late actor had over 200 acting credits across film, television and stage. He appeared as Sloan in Ordinary People (1980) and as an auctioneer in The Artist (2011). Both dramas won best picture at the Oscars. Hoffman also had roles in the films My Favorite Year (1982), The Last Word (2017), All the President’s Men (1976) and Rio, I Love You (2014). Some of his television credits include recurring roles on the 1980s series Hill Street Blues and Square Pegs.

He will appear posthumously as the lead in the upcoming feature Lucky Louie, currently in post-production.

Throughout his decades-long career, Hoffman worked with 14 Academy Award-winning actors including Dustin Hoffman, Liza Minnelli and Christopher Walken. He was also directed by Oscar-winning filmmakers like Ron Howard and Steven Spielberg.

In between playing characters on screen, Hoffman worked as a coach and acting teacher. He wrote three books titled Cold Reading and How to Be Good at It, Acting and How to Be Good at It and Acting and How to Be Good at It: The Second Edition.

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Hoffman attended Tulane University and graduated with a degree in economics. He eventually traveled to New York City to accomplish his dream of becoming an actor. In the Big Apple, he studied acting and trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He filmed commercials and small roles before moving to Los Angeles to land bigger parts.

Actor (135 credits)

  Bulldoque (announced)

Mr.Lee

  Murder Hill (announced)

  Veterans Day (announced)

Lenny Schwartz

  1 Dark Night (pre-production)

  Rescued Innocence (pre-production)

Judge Richard Taylor

 2022 Action Words (pre-production)

  Discovering Ella (Short) (post-production)

Bob Stephens

  Lucky Louie (post-production)

Wilbert Moser

  Rainbow Clouds (post-production)

Reverend Maxim

 2021 Keaton & Lloyd (Short) (post-production)

Buster Keaton

  Deeply Superficial (TV Series) (completed)

Dad

- Pilot ... Dad

 2021/VII Voices (Short)

Dark Figure

 2020 Third Act

Uncle Paul

 2019 Mr. Roberts (Short)

Mr. Roberts

 2019 Project: Puppies for Christmas

Fred

 2017 The French American

Monsieur Tissot

 2017 The Last Word

Nervous Older Man

 2017 Mommy, I Didn't Do It (TV Movie)

Otis Pell

 2016 The Pineville Heist

Principal Parker

 2016 Hail, Caesar!

Stu Schwartz - Accounting

 2015/I Mia (Short)

Dr. Hoffman

 2014 Rio, I Love You

James (segment "La Fortuna")

 2014 Throwdown

Judge Eller

 2014/I Dead Drop (Short)

Kole

 2013/I The Last Straw (Short)

Ed the Crow

 2013 3 Geezers!

Victor

 2011-2012 Courage, New Hampshire (TV Series)

Simeon Trapp

- Ambition (2012) ... Simeon Trapp

- The Sons of Liberty (2011) ... Simeon Trapp

- The Travail of Sarah Pine (2011) ... Simeon Trapp

 2011 Surreal Estate (Short)

Mr. Black

 2011/I The Artist

Auctioneer

 2010/I When Life Gives You Lemons (Short)

Calvin Adams

 2010/I One Wish

Headmaster Ludwig

 2009 Far Gone (Short)

Mr. Redfern

 2009/I The Box

Don Poates

 2009/II Old Dogs

Zeke

 2008 Baker's Road Killings (Short)

Willard Barnaby

 2007 These Boots Are Made for Walken (Short)

Dr. Finkelstein

 2006 You Did What?

Pastor

 2003 Down with Love

C. W. (uncredited)

 2002 For the People (TV Series)

Judge Olsen

- Nascent (2002) ... Judge Olsen

 2002 The West Wing (TV Series)

Congressman

- Posse Comitatus (2002) ... Congressman

 2002 The Practice (TV Series)

Tucker's Atty. Art Hardiman

- Fire Proof (2002) ... Tucker's Atty. Art Hardiman (uncredited)

 2001 Venice Beach

Uncle Al

 2001 Citizen Baines (TV Series)

James McClintock

- Three Days in November (2001) ... James McClintock

 1997-2000 Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (TV Series)

Gerald / Paramedic / Paramedic (segment "The Candlestick")

- The Dresser (2000) ... Gerald

- Candlestick (1997) ... Paramedic (uncredited)

- Candlestick/The Diner/From the Agency/The Magic Rose Garden/The Jeep (1997) ... Paramedic (segment "The Candlestick") (uncredited)

 1999 Hefner: Unauthorized (TV Movie)

Lawyer

 1999 Cousin Skeeter (TV Series)

Principal Ezemins

- Dirty Laundry (1999) ... Principal Ezemins

 1997 Culture (Short)

 1996 Kindred: The Embraced (TV Series)

Charon the Coroner

- The Original Saga (1996) ... Charon the Coroner

 1995 Seinfeld (TV Series)

Salesman

- The Scofflaw (1995) ... Salesman

 1994 Pontiac Moon

Car Buyer (uncredited)

 1993 The Elvira Show (TV Movie)

Dr. Marvin Zislis

 1992 The Double 0 Kid (Video)

Trout

 1992 The Ice Runner

J.C. Kruck

 1992 Eerie, Indiana (TV Series)

Bert

- Reality Takes a Holiday (1992) ... Bert (uncredited)

 1991 Mimi & Me (TV Movie)

Professor Sauer

 1991 Switch

Higgins

 1990 Babes (TV Series)

Neighbor Bob / Ralph

- Rent Strike (1990) ... Neighbor Bob

- The Thanksgiving Show (1990) ... Ralph

 1990 Equal Justice (TV Series)

Curtis Cardwell

- Curses (1990) ... Curtis Cardwell

 1990/I Lambada

Supt. Leland

 1989 Murder, She Wrote (TV Series)

Milton Overguard

- Town Father (1989) ... Milton Overguard

 1989 Communion

Dr. Friedman

 1988 The Milagro Beanfield War

In the Governor's Office

 1988 Matlock (TV Series)

Gary Springer

- The Reunion (1988) ... Gary Springer

 1987 Beauty and the Beast (TV Series)

Trask

- Nor Iron Bars a Cage (1987) ... Trask

 1987 227 (TV Series)

J. Boswell Premington

- Check Snub (1987) ... J. Boswell Premington

 1987 Spies (TV Series)

- Who Do You Trust? (1987)

 1987 L.A. Law (TV Series)

Baldred Townsend

- Becker on the Rox (1987) ... Baldred Townsend

 1987 Valerie (TV Series)

Howard Morgan

- Bad Timing (1987) ... Howard Morgan

 1986 Outlaws (TV Series)

Driving Instructor

- Outlaws (1986) ... Driving Instructor

 1986 Small Wonder (TV Series)

Mr. Beck

- Thanksgiving Story (1986) ... Mr. Beck

 1986 Sledge Hammer! (TV Series)

Sam Steinway

- Witless (1986) ... Sam Steinway

 1986 You Again? (TV Series)

Dean

- The Grad (1986) ... Dean

 1986 Falcon Crest (TV Series)

Reverend Mustafa

- Captive Hearts (1986) ... Reverend Mustafa

 1986 The Twilight Zone (TV Series)

Mr. Steward (segment "Button, Button")

- Profile in Silver/Button, Button (1986) ... Mr. Steward (segment "Button, Button")

 1986 It's a Living (TV Series)

Dr. Bickley

- Jewel Heist (1986) ... Dr. Bickley

 1984-1985 Hill Street Blues (TV Series)

Ed Greenglass

- Oh, You Kid (1985) ... Ed Greenglass

- Grin and Bear It (1985) ... Ed Greenglass

- Passage to Libya (1985) ... Ed Greenglass

- The Rise and Fall of Paul the Wall (1984) ... Ed Greenglass

 1985 Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series)

Dr. Michaels

- Night Fever (1985) ... Dr. Michaels

 1985 Santa Barbara (TV Series)

Joshua Friendly

- Episode #1.184 (1985) ... Joshua Friendly

- Episode #1.183 (1985) ... Joshua Friendly

- Episode #1.181 (1985) ... Joshua Friendly

- Episode #1.180 (1985) ... Joshua Friendly

- Episode #1.169 (1985) ... Joshua Friendly

 1985 Too Close for Comfort (TV Series)

Dr. Norman Biggs

- My Son, the PhD (1985) ... Dr. Norman Biggs

 1984-1985 Spencer (TV Series)

- The Drive-In (1985)

- The World's Worst Date (1984)

 1984 The Ratings Game (TV Movie)

Frank Friedlander

 1984 Dynasty (TV Series)

Judge Drew Mayfield

- The Verdict (1984) ... Judge Drew Mayfield

- The Trial (1984) ... Judge Drew Mayfield

 1984 Cagney & Lacey (TV Series)

Lt. Palmer

- Heat (1984) ... Lt. Palmer

 1984 All of Me

Court Clerk

 1984 Night Court (TV Series)

Duane Sedgwick

- Hi Honey, I'm Home (1984) ... Duane Sedgwick

 1984 CBS Schoolbreak Special (TV Series)

Mr. Rasmussen

- Welcome Home, Jellybean (1984) ... Mr. Rasmussen

 1984 Kidco

Sid Fein

 1984 Gimme a Break! (TV Series)

Mr. Fuller

- Samantha's Protest (1984) ... Mr. Fuller

 1983 Ace Crawford... Private Eye (TV Series)

Gentleman Bandit

- The Gentleman Bandit (1983) ... Gentleman Bandit

 1982-1983 Square Pegs (TV Series)

Principal Dingleman

- To Serve Weemawee All My Days (1983) ... Principal Dingleman

- Merry Pranksters (1983) ... Principal Dingleman

- Open 24 Hours (1982) ... Principal Dingleman

- Halloween XII (1982) ... Principal Dingleman

- Pilot (1982) ... Principal Dingleman

 1982 Games Mother Never Taught You (TV Movie)

 1982 My Favorite Year

Herb Lee

 1982 Night Shift

Drollhauser

 1982 Maggie (TV Series)

Dr. Louis Milton

- Mark's Shrink (1982) ... Dr. Louis Milton

 1981 Here's Boomer (TV Series)

Sloan Meadows

- Boomer Goes for the Gold (1981) ... Sloan Meadows

 1981 Enos (TV Series)

Dr. Bloomberg

- Cops at Sea (1981) ... Dr. Bloomberg

 1980 CHiPs (TV Series)

Stan West

- Wheels of Justice (1980) ... Stan West

 1980 Scout's Honor (TV Movie)

Alexander

 1980 Ordinary People

Sloan

 1980 Park Place (TV Series)

- Pilot (1980)

 1979 Being There

Man in Commercial (uncredited)

 1979 The Electric Horseman

Toland

 1979 Out of the Blue (TV Series)

Herman Donaldson

- Random's Arrival (1979) ... Herman Donaldson

 1979 My Buddy (TV Movie)

Bernard Worth

 1979 Love at First Bite

Hotel Manager (uncredited)

 1979 Jennifer: A Woman's Story (TV Movie)

Neil Turner

 1974-1979 M*A*S*H (TV Series)

Major Bartruff / Major Pfiefer

- C*A*V*E (1979) ... Major Bartruff

- Adam's Ribs (1974) ... Major Pfiefer

 1978 Comes a Horseman

George Bascomb

 1978 The Eddie Capra Mysteries (TV Series)

Second Technician

- Murder on the Flip Side (1978) ... Second Technician (uncredited)

 1978 Barney Miller (TV Series)

Allen Korbel

- Inauguration (1978) ... Allen Korbel

 1978 Love's Dark Ride (TV Movie)

Dr. Kanlan

 1978 Kojak (TV Series)

Charlie Winston

- The Captain's Brother's Wife (1978) ... Charlie Winston

 1977 Prime Time

Presidential Advisor

 1977 Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Longly (uncredited)

 1977 Columbo (TV Series)

Jason Danziger

- The Bye-Bye Sky High I.Q. Murder Case (1977) ... Jason Danziger

 1974-1977 Sanford and Son (TV Series)

Maitre'd / Store Owner

- Fred Sings the Blues (1977) ... Maitre'd

- Going Out of Business (1974) ... Store Owner

 1976 Arthur Hailey's the Moneychangers (TV Mini Series)

Stanley Inchbeck

- Part IV (1976) ... Stanley Inchbeck (credit only)

- Part III (1976) ... Stanley Inchbeck

- Part II (1976) ... Stanley Inchbeck

- Part I (1976) ... Stanley Inchbeck (credit only)

 1976 Cousins (TV Movie)

Banana

 1976 Good Heavens (TV Series)

- Funny Fellow (1976)

 1976 All the President's Men

Assistant Metro Editor

 1976 ABC Afterschool Specials (TV Series)

Photographer

- The Amazing Cosmic Awareness of Duffy Moon (1976) ... Photographer

 1976 Marcus Welby, M.D. (TV Series)

- Prisoner of the Island Cell: Part 2 (1976)

- Prisoner of the Island Cell: Part 1 (1976)

 1975 Kate McShane (TV Series)

Stanley Miller

- A Little Knowledge (1975) ... Stanley Miller

 1975 Lucky Lady

Auctioneer's Assistant

 1975 Ellery Queen (TV Series)

Technical Print Man, Harry / Fingerprint Expert

- The Adventure of the Lover's Leap (1975) ... Technical Print Man, Harry

- Too Many Suspects (1975) ... Fingerprint Expert

 1975 The Waltons (TV Series)

Prof Ranney

- The Sermon (1975) ... Prof Ranney

 1975 Cage Without a Key (TV Movie)

Judge

 1975 At Long Last Love

Theatre Manager

 1974 Police Woman (TV Series)

Desk Clerk #2

- The Stalking of Joey Marr (1974) ... Desk Clerk #2

 1974 The Great Ice Rip-Off (TV Movie)

Richards

 1974 The Rockford Files (TV Series)

Desk Clerk

- The Big Ripoff (1974) ... Desk Clerk (uncredited)

 1974 Kung Fu (TV Series)

Telegrapher

- Blood of the Dragon: Part 1 (1974) ... Telegrapher

 1971 Lady Liberty

Willett (uncredited)

 1968 That's Life (TV Series)

Commuter

- Moving In (1968) ... Commuter

 1964 The Defenders (TV Series)

Juror

- The Fine Line (1964) ... Juror