Basil Hoffman (Houston, January 11, 1938 – Los Angeles, September 17, 2021) was a prolific American character actor whose career spanned over five decades. With more than 200 film and television credits, he is known for his supporting roles in acclaimed films such as *All the President's Men* (1976), *Close Encounters of the Third Kind* (1977), *My Favorite Year* (1982), and the award-winning *The Artist* (2011), in which he played the auctioneer. On television, he appeared in numerous successful series, including *M*A*S*H*, *Hill Street Blues*, *Seinfeld*, and *The West Wing*, often specializing in roles as professionals or authority figures. In addition to acting, he was a respected acting coach and an author of books on acting technique. A lifetime member of the Actors Studio and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, his career was defined by consistent professionalism and versatility in bringing memorable supporting characters to life.