By Lucy Santiago
FROM WIKIPEDIA COMMONS
Michael Emmet Walsh (March 22, 1935 – March 19, 2024) was an American actor who appeared in over 200 films and television series, including supporting roles as Earl Frank in Straight Time (1978), the Madman in The Jerk (1979), Captain Bryant in Blade Runner (1982), Critters (1986), and Walt Scheel in Christmas with the Kranks (2004). He starred as private detective Loren Visser in Blood Simple (1984), the Coen brothers‘ first film, for which he won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead.
Walsh’s other numerous film appearances include Midnight Cowboy (1969) (his first and uncredited role) Little Big Man (1970), What’s Up, Doc? (1972), Serpico (1973), The Gambler (1974), Bound for Glory (1976), Slap Shot (1977), Airport ’77 (1977), Brubaker (1980), Ordinary People (1980), Reds (1981), Silkwood (1983), Fletch (1985), Back to School (1986), Raising Arizona (1987), Romeo + Juliet (1996), My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997), The Iron Giant (1999), Calvary (2014), and Knives Out (2019). Over seven decades as a character actor, he has credited roles in more than 220 films and television shows.
Walsh had a reputation for generosity and wry wit. He habitually distributed two-dollar bills to the set’s crew, with some advice: “Don’t spend it, and you’ll never be broke.”
Walsh died of cardiac arrest at Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans, Vermont, on March 19, 2024, three days before his 89th birthday.
