“Blade Runner” star M. Emmet Walsh — who graced the big screen for more than 50 years — has died. He was 88.
Walsh’s manager Sandy Joseph confirmed to CNN that the actor died at a Vermont hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The actor — who’s probably most known as an “oh yeah, that guy” performer in Hollywood — had a career spanning more than five decades after scoring bit parts in such films as “Midnight Cowboy,” “Little Big Man,” “Serpico,” “What’s Up, Doc?” and “The Gambler” at the start of his career.
Born in 1935 in New York, Walsh has more than 230 credits to his career, IMDb noted. After being raised in Vermont, he stumbled into acting while in college at Clarkson University.
His career really took off after he landed two different roles in the 1980s in “Blade Runner” and “Blood Simple,” IndieWire noted. In the sci-fi thriller, Walsh played Captain Bryant, who is responsible for bringing Harrison Ford’s character out of retirement to go on a mission to destroy the replicants, or rather, “retire” them, the outlet noted.
M. Emmet Walsh, ‘Blade Runner’ and ‘Knives Out’ actor, dead at 88 https://t.co/EcM0Rm5akO pic.twitter.com/Ooq1cny0bJ
— New York Post (@nypost) March 20, 2024
In “Blood Simple,” Walsh took on the role of private detective Loren Visser, who turns into a bounty hunter.
Newer audiences might only know Walsh from the Christmas movie “Christmas with the Kranks.” In the movie, he plays a cranky neighbor of actors Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis. He also appeared in notable comedies in the 80s and 90s like “Raising Arizona” and “Fletch.”
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Some of his standout roles would have to be as the father to the groom in the late-90s Julia Roberts rom-com “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” as well as the sheriff in 1980s horror comedy “Critters,” the outlet noted.
On the small screen, Walsh appeared in numerous sitcoms and dramas over his career, including “The Twilight Zone,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” “Frasier,” “The X-Files,” “NYPD Blue,” and “Damages,” the outlet noted.
More recently, he played the role of Mr. Proofoc in the mystery thriller “Knives Out,” starring Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, and Ana De Armas, among many others.
Shortly after news of his death, Hollywood paid tribute to the actor on social media.
“One of the finest actors and human beings I have ever known, M Emmet Walsh has passed,” comedian/actor Rob Schneider wrote. “I remember all his wonderful stories and how generous he was with the wisdom and acting knowledge he had accumulated in his 119 movies he made in his career. God bless you, my friend.”
James Woods wrote, “I did several movies with Emmet. He was a spectacular character actor and a delight to work with. I’m glad he lived a long and fulfilling life. May he rest in peace.”