NEW YORK aEUR Philip Baker Hall, a prolific actor of theater and film who starred in Paul Thomas Anderson’s first movies, and who memorably searched down a long-overdue Seinfeld library book, has passed away. He was 90.
Holly Wolfle Hall, actor’s wife for nearly 40 years, announced Monday that Hall died Sunday in Glendale, Calif. Surrounded by his loved ones, she said Hall was well until a few weeks before and that he spent his final days in good spirits reflecting back on his life.
Wolfle Hall said that her husband’s voice was just as powerful at the end. She added that her husband never stopped acting.
Hall, a half-century-long career, was a familiar hangdog face. His tired, drab appearance could conceal a powerful intensity and humble sensitivity. Although his range was vast, Hall, who had natural gravitas, often played men wearing lab coats, trench coats, and suits.
Hall stated to The Washington Post that “highly stressed men are older men who are at their limit for suffering, stress, and pain.” “I was drawn to these roles because of my affinity.”
Hall was born in Toledo, Ohio. He initially focused more on theater in Los Angeles after he moved out in 1975 than television and movies. Hall was also a part of the L.A. Actor Theatre, which he worked on small roles in Hollywood. Hall was cast as Richard Nixon in Secret Honor in a one-act play. This role was also reprised by Robert Altman in Altman’s 1984 film adaptation. Pauline Kael, a critic, wrote that Hall “draws from his lack of star presence and an actor’s fears about his own mediocrity in ways that seem to mirror Nixon’s feelings.”
Hall was a star in even the smallest roles in films like Midnight Run in 1988. Hall was mostly a guest actor on television, but outside of theater. He was filmed for a PBS program in 1992. Hall met Paul Thomas Anderson, a young production assistant. They would often hang out together, sharing cigarettes and coffee during scenes. Anderson believed Hall wasn’t getting his due in film and asked Anderson to review a script he had written, for a short 20-minute film titled Cigarettes & Coffee.
Hall stated to the AV Club that he was reading the script and that he had difficulty believing that the script was written by a child. Hall said that the script was so beautiful, with nuance everywhere, almost like a playwright. It was a film unlike anything I have ever seen. It was amazing.”
Anderson made the short film, worth $20,000, into his feature debut in 1997’s Hard Eight. This movie launched Hall’s career. Hall was a kind and wise itinerate gambler named Sydney, who teaches John C. Reilly (a young drifter) the art of gambling. One scene is unforgettable: Philip Seymour Hoffman’s first meeting Anderson. A hot-shot gambler criticizes Hall for being “old-timer”.
Anderson would cast Hall as Floyd Gondolli, an adult film theater magnate who warns Burt Reynolds about the future of the industry in Boogie Nights. Anderson’s Magnolia featured Hall as Jimmy Gator, host of a children’s game show.
Anderson stated to the Los Angeles Times that he has a special fascination with acting as a character actor and wants to make them lead actors in 1998. “I love Philip Baker Hall. He’s just… an actor I love.” “There’s no other person with a face or voice like that.
Many were instantly familiar with Hall’s powerfully funny appearance on Seinfeld. Hall played Lt. Joe Bookman in the 22nd episode of Seinfeld’s sitcom, which aired in 1991. He was the librarian investigator who chases Seinfeld after a long-overdue copy of Tropic of Cancer. Hall played him as a hardboiled noir detective and told Seinfeld, “Well, I got flash for you, Joy-boy: Party is over.”
Hall was brought back by Larry David for the Seinfeld finale. David once stated that Hall was the only actor who made him laugh more than any other actor.
Hall also had credits in Michael Mann’s The Insider as Don Hewitt, 60 Minutes producer, and Lars von Trier’s Dogville. Hall was seen in Say Anything, The Truman Show and The Talented Mr. Ripley. Hall was the neighbor Walt Kleezak in Modern Family. His last appearance was in 2020’s Messiah.
Hall was married to Dianne for three years in early 1970s. He is survived by his wife, his four daughters and four grandchildren.
