Renowned American actor M. Emmet Walsh has passed away at the age of 88. The sad news was confirmed by his long-time manager, Sandy Joseph, who informed that Walsh has died due to cardiac arrest.
Throughout his illustrious 55-year career, Walsh accumulated over 200 acting credits. He made his debut in 1969 with uncredited roles in “Midnight Cowboy” and “Stiletto,” followed by a credited role in “Alice’s Restaurant.”
Born in New York in 1935 and raised in Vermont, M. Emmet Walsh is most recognized for his performances in iconic films such as “Blade Runner,” “Blood Simple,” “Little Big Man,” “Critters,” and “Knives Out,” among many others.
In Ridley Scott’s 1982 masterpiece “Blade Runner,” Walsh portrayed Harrison Ford’s LAPD boss, and he notably played the menacing private detective Loren Visser in the Coen brothers’ directorial debut “Blood Simple” in 1984.
His versatility shone through various roles, including a sportswriter in the Paul Newman comedy “Slap Shot”, Dustin Hoffman’s parole officer in “Straight Time”. His final performance can be seen in this year’s western, “Outlaw Posse,” alongside Whoopi Goldberg and Cedric The Entertainer.
Following his passing, numerous esteemed figures in Hollywood paid homage to the late M. Emmet Walsh. Edgar Wright hailed him as “the ultimate character actor,” while “Knives Out” director Rian Johnson fondly remembered him as an “absolute legend.”
