RIP Philip Baker Hall

 

The Wrap

By Sharon Knolle

June 13, 2022

 

Philip Baker Hall, Star of ‘Magnolia’ and ‘Boogie Nights,’ Dies at 90

 

Veteran actor Philip Baker Hall, who lent his gravitas to numerous Paul Thomas Anderson films including “Magnolia” and “Boogie Nights,” has died at age 90, his neighbor Sam Farmer reported on Monday.

“My neighbor, friend, and one of the wisest, most talented and kindest people I’ve ever met, Philip Baker Hall, died peacefully last night. He was surrounded by loved ones. The world has an empty space in it,” Farmer, a sportswriter for the Los Angeles Times tweeted.

Hall, who was born in Toledo, Ohio on September 10, 1931, made his film debut in the 1970 film “Coward,” about Vietnam War draft evasion.

He received glowing notices in 1984 for his one-man role as Richard Nixon in Robert Altman’s “Secret Honor.” His performance was a revelation to critic Roger Ebert, who wrote, ” Nixon is portrayed by Philip Baker Hall, an actor previously unknown to me, with such savage intensity, such passion, such venom, such scandal, that we cannot turn away.” Vincent Canby of The New York Times raved “Mr. Hall’s immense performance, which is as astonishing and risky … as that of the Oscar-winning F. Murray Abraham in ‘Amadeus’.”

Hall’s collaboration with Anderson began with the 1993 short film “Coffee and Cigarettes,” which became Anderson’s 1996 feature directorial debut, “Hard Eight.” The role earned Hall an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Male Lead.

His many films include, “The Rock,” “The Insider,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” “Zodiac,” “Argo,” “Air Force One,” and “Dogville.”

Hall, whose first TV appearance was on an episode of “Good Times,” also played a doctor on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and grumpy neighbor on “Modern Family.” His final TV role was as Zelman Katz on Netflix’s 2020 series “Messiah.”

 

HALL, Philip Baker

Born: 9/10/1931, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.A.

Died: 6/12/2022, Glendale, California, U.S.A.

 

Philip Baker Hall’s westerns – actor:

Riding for the Pony Express (TV) – 1980 (Mr. Durfee)

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (TV) – 1982 (Wilcox, Prosecutor)