Dabney Coleman

Dabney Wharton Coleman (born January 3, 1932) is an American actor. He was born in Austin, Texas.

Coleman entered the Virginia Military Institute in 1949, then studied law at the University of Texas before turning to acting.

Though a capable character actor with a wide range, Coleman is usually typecast as a smarmy, selfish, patronizing, self-absorbed bigot, usually an authority figure of some sort, most famously as a powerful, chauvinistic boss. His fate in these types of roles was cemented with his performances in roles such as Franklin Hart, Jr. in 1980's Nine to Five, director Ron Carlisle in 1982's Tootsie and the earnest John McKittrick in 1983's WarGames.

Coleman has also played more appealing roles, however, such as Bill Ray in 1981's On Golden Pond, and as Nelson Fox in 1998's You've Got Mail.

Though he has starred in a few lead roles (including the TV sitcoms The 'Slap' Maxwell Story and Buffalo Bill and the movie Short Time) he is actively sought after for strong supporting roles.

Coleman has been married twice. He was married to Ann Courtney Harrell from 1957 to 1959. He had three children with actress Jean Hale, whom he was married to from 1961 to 1983.

Coleman also voice-acted in the Disney series Recess as Principal Prickly.

His daughter, Quincy, is a recording artist whose first album, "Also Known as Mary", was released in September 2003.

Recently, Coleman has lent his voice to Rent-a-Center commercials.

Partial filmography

Movies

• Domino (2005) as Drake Bishop
• Moonlight Mile (2002)
• Stuart Little (1999)
• Inspector Gadget (1999)
• You've Got Mail (1998)
• My Date with the President's Daughter (1998) as the President
• The Beverly Hillbillies (1993) as Milburn Drysdale
• Amos & Andrew (1993)
• Short Time (1990)
• Dragnet (1987) as Jerry Caesar
• Cloak & Dagger (1984) as Jack Flack/Hal Osborne
• WarGames (1983) as Dr. John McKittrick
• Young Doctors in Love (1982)
• Tootsie (1982)
• Modern Problems (1981) as Mark Winslow
• On Golden Pond (1981) as Bill Ray
• Nothing Personal (1980)
• Nine to Five (1980)
• Melvin and Howard (1980)
• How to Beat the High Co$t of Living (1980)
• North Dallas Forty (1979)
• Maneaters Are Loose (1978)
• Midway (1976)
• Returning Home (1975)
• Black Fist (1975)
• Bad Ronald (1974)
• The Dove (1974)
• The Towering Inferno (1974)
• Cinderella Liberty (1973)
• The Brotherhood of the Bell (1970)
• I Love My Wife (1970)
• The Trouble with Girls (1969)
• This Property Is Condemned (1966)

Fictional Movies

• Sack Lunch Allegedly starred in the fictional movie in Seinfeld. See List of fictional films in Seinfeld

Television (regular/featured performer only)

• The Guardian (2001-2004) as Burton Fallin
• Recess (TV series) (1997-2001) as Principal Prickly
• Madman of the People (1994) as Jack Buckner
• Drexell's Class (1991-1992) as Otis Drexell
• The Slap Maxwell Story (1987-1988) as Slap Maxwell
• Buffalo Bill (1983-1984) as Bill Bittiger
• Apple Pie (1978) as Fast Eddie Murtaugh
• Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976-1977) as Mayor Merle Jeeter
• Bright Promise (1971-1972) as Dr. Tracy Graham

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