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Philip Baker Hall
Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images
He rose to fame with his roles in the feature film Magnolia and the 1990s sitcom Seinfeld.
According to consistent media information, the US actor Philip Baker Hall died in the Californian city of Glendale at the age of 90.
According to the AP news agency, his wife reported that Hall was healthy until a few weeks ago and spent his last few days in a good mood.
His neighbor wrote on Twitter that he "slept peacefully, surrounded by loved ones".
Hall, born in 1931 in Toledo (Ohio), after his film debut in the US drama »Cowards«, initially played minor roles for film and television, sometimes in classic films such as »The Truman Show« or »Rush Hour«.
But it wasn't until 1993 that he got a leading role.
The then little-known director Paul Thomas Anderson hired him for his short film »Cigarettes & Coffee«.
The film was a success and was shown at the Sundance Film Festival.
So Anderson built it into his feature film debut »Last Exit Reno« (1996) - and thus helped Hall to take a career leap.
Anderson later engaged him for his other feature films »Boogie Nights« (1997) and »Magnolia« (1999).
However, many viewers remember Hall as a character actor in supporting roles, such as his guest appearances on the series »Seinfeld«, where he only appeared in two episodes.
He played detective Joe Bookman in the 22nd episode from 1991, who tracks down a long-lost book in a library.
For the series finale, Hall was brought back once more.
According to Seinfeld writer Larry David, no other actor has ever made him laugh like Hall has.
Hall is survived by his wife, four daughters, four grandchildren and brother.
ime/AP
