'Knives Out' Actor M. Emmet Walsh Dead At 88
M. Emmet Walsh, a versatile character actor with a career spanning over sixty years, died on Tuesday due to cardiac arrest.
He was 88.
Per his longtime manager, Sandy Joseph, Walsh died at Kerbs Memorial Hospital in St. Albans, Vermont.
Born on March 22, 1935, in Ogdensburg, New York, but raised in the rural area of Swanton, Vermont, the actor gained recognition for his contributions to theater, television, and cinema. His onscreen journey began with his debut in 'Alice's Restaurant' in 1969.
Among his diverse repertoire, Walsh notably assumed the role of Harrison Ford's superior in Ridley Scott's 1982 dystopian masterpiece 'Blade Runner' and the Coen Brothers' debut film, 'Blood Simple,' in 1984. Additionally, he portrayed a morally compromised sheriff in the 1986 sci-fi horror flick 'Critters' and the father of Dermot Mulroney's character in the beloved 1997 romantic comedy 'My Best Friend's Wedding,' alongside Julia Roberts, and much more.
In television, Walsh showcased his versatility as a series regular on 'Sneaky Pete' and 'The Mind of the Married Man,' alongside notable guest appearances on 'Frasier,' 'Home Improvement,' 'The X-Files,' and 'NYPD Blue,' amongst others.
In more recent years, Walsh took on the role of an elderly security guard in Rian Johnson's 2019 comedic whodunit, 'Knives Out,' while also appearing in projects like 'Brothers,' 'God Loves the Green Bay Packers,' and 'The Righteous Gemstones.'
His career spanned an impressive breadth, with a total of 119 film credits and 250 television productions under his belt, as reported by his manager.
Walsh's contributions extend beyond the screen.
In 2018, he received the prestigious Carney Life Achievement Award, presented by Harrison Ford at the esteemed Carney Awards, often referred to as the Character Actors Hall of Fame. Additionally, Walsh was recognized by the Breckenridge Festival of Film in 1998 and was honored with The Golden Knight, the highest alumni award bestowed by Clarkson University, in the same year.
Walsh never married or fathered children.
