The Legend Of Korra’s Bumi voice actor Richard Riehle dies aged 78
Richard Riehle voiced Bumi in The Legend Of Korra (Getty Images)
Richard Riehle, known for roles across the Star Trek franchise and as the voice actor of Bumi in The Legend Of Korra, has died aged 78.
Wright Entertainment Inc. confirmed that Riehle died on 15 October, without disclosing a cause of death or further details. In a statement, via The LA Times, the company said: “Our industry has lost an exceptional talent, and our community has lost a truly wonderful man.”
Riehle’s career in theatre, film and television spanned almost 50 years and included more than 400 projects.
The statement added: “Beyond his immense talent, he will be remembered for his genuine goodness, boundless kindness, and unwavering generosity, particularly toward emerging actors and filmmakers, whom he encouraged and supported at every opportunity.”
Avatar fans mourn a ‘legend’
While Riehle had countless roles, many fans are remembering him for lending his voice to Bumi in The Legend Of Korra.
In the Avatar: The Last Airbender spin-off, Bumi was the oldest child of Avatar Aang and Katara, though was born a nonbender. He would eventually develop airbending abilities.
Fans have paid tribute, with one referencing a poignant quote from the Avatar universe, which reads: “Air Nomads are formed from the mist. We walk the world for a moment in time, and then we return to the eternal wind.”
Another fan said: “RIP to the legendary son of Avatar Aang and Grandmaster Waterbending Katara.” A third said: “RIP to a real one, loved him as Bumi. May he rest in peace.”
What else was Richard Riehle known for?
For other fans, Riehle will always be Tom Smykowski, the increasingly frazzled Initech employee in Mike Judge’s 1999 cult comedy Office Space. The character’s outburst – “I have people skills! I am good at dealing with people! Can’t you understand that?” – became one of the film’s most quoted lines.
On television, he played Walt Finnerty on Grounded for Life between 2001 and 2005, and popped up a number of times across the Star Trek franchise, including in The Next Generation (1992), Voyager (2000) and Enterprise (2004).
A familiar face to generations of viewers, Riehle built a career on authority figures and comic supporting roles across film, television and stage, including Broadway appearances.
Actor Donal Logue paid tribute in a Facebook post, writing: “Richard Riehle was an amazing human being. A consummate professional, he was an actor’s actor – humble, kind and incredible at his craft … and I loved every minute I got to spend with him.”
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