Philip Baker Hall, ‘Boogie Nights’, ‘Hard Eight’ Actor, Dies at 90

Philip Baker Hall has died. The actor, who was known for his work on films like Magnolia, Boogie Nights and Hard Eight, was 90.

Hall died Sunday (June 12), Los Angeles Times reporter Sam Farmer shared on Twitter.

“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,” Farmer wrote. “The world has an empty space in it.”

Hall began his professional acting career in the ’70s, when he first appeared in Zabriskie Point as a diner owner, which was an uncredited role. He then appeared in Love-in ’72 and Throw Out the Anchor!, before his career began to pick up in the later half of the decade, with roles in TV projects like Good Times, Mayday at 40,000 Feet!, Man from Atlantis , M*A*S*H, Visions, Emergency! and Samurai.

Over the course of five decades, Hall amassed 185 acting credits. He received awards recognition for his work in the ’90s and 2000s, earning a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for his work on 1997’s Boogie Nights and a second SAG nomination for his role in 2005’s Magnolia. Hall was also nominated for an Independent Spirit Award in 1998 for his role in Sydney (aka Hard Eight).

Hall got a later start in the industry, booking his first professional role at age 30, according to his IMDb profile, but created an undoubtedly successful career for himself, which included multiple collaborations with director Paul Thomas Anderson, whom he worked with on Hard Eight and Magnolia. Hall was also known for his work on films like The Talented Mr. Ripley, Dogville and Zodiac.

In his later years, Hall continued to act, appearing in projects up until 2020. Some of his more recent roles include parts in films like Person to Person and The Last Word and in shows like Room 104 and Corporate. His final two credits are listed on IMDb as the short Dear Chickens and the Netflix series Messiah.