Dabney Coleman: Emmy-Winning Actor and Hateable Boss in 9 to 5 Dies at 9

Dabney Coleman was an American actor best known for playing smug, scheming characters, most memorably the sexist boss Franklin Hart Jr. in 9 to 5. Born Dabney Wharton Coleman on January 3, 1932, in Austin, Texas, he dropped out of law school to pursue acting and worked steadily for nearly six decades.

Coleman played Hart in 9 to 5 in 1980, a role that defined his comic villain image. He won a Primetime Emmy for the television film Sworn to Silence in 1987 and a Golden Globe for The Slap Maxwell Story in 1988. He also appeared in Tootsie, WarGames and Yellowstone, and later in Boardwalk Empire, sharing two SAG Ensemble Awards.

Coleman was married to Ann Courtney Harrell from 1957 to 1959 and to actress Jean Hale from 1961 to 1983, and had four children. He died at his home in Santa Monica, California, on May 16, 2024, at age 92, of dysphagia and heart failure. Remembered for turning unlikable characters into fan favorites, he was a beloved character actor.

Achievements: Played Franklin Hart Jr. in 9 to 5 (1980), won an Emmy for Sworn to Silence (1987), won a Golden Globe for The Slap Maxwell Story (1988), shared two SAG Ensemble Awards for Boardwalk Empire (2010-2011).

Birth: January 3, 1932 - Austin, Texas.

Profession: Actor.

Interesting Facts: A 45-minute visit from actor Zachary Scott helped convince him to leave law school for acting. A steak at Dan Tana's restaurant in West Hollywood is named after him.