Philip Baker Hall cause of death updates — Star who played Mr Bookman in Seinfeld dies as wife Holly pays tribute

People recognized Hall on the street

The actor said that he was often stopped in the street because people recognized him from Seinfeld - even up to 20 years after the episode aired.

"It's been over 20 years since we shot that episode, and I still can't go out in public for very long before someone says 'My god, it's Bookman!' Or: 'Are you Bookman? I returned that library book, I swear!'"  the late actor told  in 2014.

"It's not just in New York or LA; it's happened in a mall in the Midwest or even other countries where they air the show. The guy made an impression." 

Richard Roeper reacts

Critic Richard Roeper said that Philip Baker Hall instantly made every movie or show better.

";What a versatile, quietly commanding, wonderful actor."

'Doors opened' for the actor after Seinfeld

Philip Baker Hall said that the role of Lieutenant Bookman in Seinfeld was one of the last auditions he ever had because the hit show brought him successful opportunities.

"It's funny, Lt. Bookman was one of the last roles I ever auditioned for, simply because so many doors opened up after I did the show," the late actor told in 2014.

"I remember that Jerry had a hard time keeping a straight face during the reading. Usually, when you read for things, no one lets on too much, even if they like you.

"But people were fighting to control their laughter, so when I called my wife afterward, I told her 'There's no such thing as a sure thing…but I'm pretty sure I got this part.'"

Costar said Hall had a 'wiseness' to him

John C Reilly, who starred with Philip Baker Hall in Hard Eight in 1996, told the in 2017 that he looked up to Philip as an older actor.

“He has a basset-hound look, a gravitas and weight,” Reilly told the outlet.

“He has this freshness and enthusiasm that most people don’t have at that age.

";That’s the kind of thing you’re looking for in an older actor, an old-world knowledge, a wiseness.”

Comedy Central pays tribute

The TV network tweeted out a tribute message to Phillip Baker Hall, saying that he gave many "iconic performances."

Hall's family

Philip Baker Hall is survived by his wife Holly Wolfle Hall.

The late actor also leaves behind four daughters from his two marriages, four grandchildren and his brother.

Bill Simmons mourns

Sports analyst Bill Simmons tweeted his favorite scenes of PBH in remembrance of the late actor.

"He always stood out," Simmons wrote.

"Man I liked that guy."

Holly Wolfle Hall said actor died in 'warm spirits'

Philip Baker Hall's wife Holly Wolfle Hall confirmed that Philip died on Sunday evening surrounded by loved ones in Glendale, California.

According to the , Holly said that Philip had been well up until a few weeks before his death and that he spent his last days reflecting on his full life.

“His voice at the end was still just as powerful,” his wife said.

How did Philip and PTA meet?

Director Paul Thomas Anderson and Philip Baker Hall met on the set of a PBS movie, where Paul was working as a production assistant.

“He was a fan of my work, so how could I not like him?” Hall said to the in 2017 about the encounter.

“We would talk, and have cigarettes and coffee.”

The famous director later sent Philip a script for a short film he wrote called Cigarettes & Coffee with a part specifically written for the actor.

The project later led to Hard Eight - Anderson's first full-length feature, with Philip as the lead.

Philip's film roles

The veteran actor has 185 credits listed on his Imdb page and among those are some classic movies:

• Say Anything
• Secret Honor
• Hard Eight
• Duck
• Boogie Nights
• Magnolia
• Bruce Almighty
• In Good Company
• The Amityville Horror
• The Matador

Who did Philip play on Modern Family?

In some of his most recent TV work, Philip Baker Hall played Walt Keezak on Modern Family.

The character is a grumpy neighbor who befriends Luke Dunphy, played by Nolan Gould.

Philip started in the role in 2011.

Fans pay respects

Many fans of the late actor have taken to social media to pay their respects.

"Philip Baker Hall had one of the funniest scenes ever in the entire run of Seinfeld. Arguably funnier than anything any of the cast members ever did. And it was because of how he sold the scene. Utterly brilliant. Peepees and weewees, joy boy," one fan shared.

A second fan wrote: "Philip Baker Hall just passed away. For Seinfeld fans, he was Lieutenant Bookman, the library cop, and was responsible for one of the great defenses of libraries in history: 'Maybe we can live without libraries, people like you and me.'

"May his memory be a blessing ❤️💔❤️‍🩹."

Another person tweeted: "RIP Philip Baker Hall. An incredible actor in so many things, and I'll always remember him for one of greatest, if not the greatest, sitcom performances of all time as the Library Cop in Seinfeld."

'Never not good'

Actor Michael McKean tweeted a tribute to the late actor, saying that he was "never not good."

Lt Joe Bookman was one of his most famous roles

Philip Baker Hall portrayed Lt Joe Bookman in season three of the '90s sitcom classic Seinfeld.

In the episode, Bookman works as a library cop dealing with library offenders and tracks down Jerry Seinfeld for an overdue book he has failed to return since 1971.

His dedication to his job and his coincidental surname are cause for Jerry's dismissive attitude towards him.

Who survives Philip?

The actor has four daughters from his two marriages.

Two of his daughters are named Adella and Anna Baker.

He has been married twice, with his first marriage to Dianne Lewis ending in 1976.

Philip married Holly Wolfle in 1988 and was married to her at the time of his death.

Philip's early life

Philip Baker Hall was born in Toledo, Ohio, on September 10, 1931.

After attending college at the University of Toledo, the actor served in the Army as a translator in Germany.

Before starting his career in acting, Philip also worked as a high school teacher.

Philip had emphysema

Due to years of smoking and having pneumonia as a child, the Washington Post reported that Philip Baker Hall had emphysema in the years before his death.

As of 2017, the outlet reported that Philip relied completely on an oxygen tank.

Philip was an avid smoker throughout his time as an actor.

Philip started his career later than most

Philip Baker Hall started his career as an actor when he was 30 years old, according to the .

On top of that, he didn't settle down in Los Angeles until he was 40.

Philip made Larry David laugh

In a Washington Post article in 2017, Seinfeld co-creator Larry David told the that Philip cracked him up, which could be one of the reasons that he hired the veteran actor for multiple projects outside of Seinfeld.

“Philip has made me laugh harder than any actor I’ve worked with,” David said.

Jesse Hawken pays respects

Filmmaker and writer Jesse Hawken remembers that Philip Baker Hall was an actor who was good as every character he played.

Who did Philip play in Seinfeld?

In the hit 90s sitcom, Philip played Lieutenant Joe Bookman, a library cop who monitored library delinquents.

He appeared in the show starting in season three.

Philip's acting credits

The 90-year-old actor has starred in TV shows like Modern Family, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Seinfeld.

He appeared in feature films like Magnolia, Hard Eight, and Mr Bookman.

Sam Farmer announced Philip's death

Philip Baker Hall's passing was announced by  NFL writer Sam Farmer.

Farmer tweeted that the actor passed away peacefully on Sunday.

"My neighbor, friend, and one of the wisest, most talented and kindest people I’ve ever met, Philip Baker Hall, died peacefully last night," the message reads.

"He was surrounded by loved ones. The world has an empty space in it."