Los Angeles Times

Appreciation: Philip Baker Hall played gamblers, producers and presidents. His best role? Friend

LOS ANGELES — Philip Baker Hall had dozens upon dozens of roles, from gamblers to game-show hosts, presidents to producers to — perhaps most famously — a library-book cop on "Seinfeld." My favorite role? He was a friend and around-the-corner neighbor. So I won't forget getting that sad and fateful call Monday morning from his wife, Holly, telling me that Philip had died. He was at home and ...
Actor Philip Baker Hall arrives at the premiere of "Bad Words" at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on March 5, 2014, in Hollywood, California.

LOS ANGELES — Philip Baker Hall had dozens upon dozens of roles, from gamblers to game-show hosts, presidents to producers to — perhaps most famously — a library-book cop on "Seinfeld."

My favorite role?

He was a friend and around-the-corner neighbor.

So I won't forget getting that sad and fateful call Monday morning from his wife, Holly, telling me that Philip had died. He was at home

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