M. Emmet Walsh, Blade Runner and Knives Out Actor, Dies at 88

He had more than 200 film and TV credits.

Posted:

Mar 21, 2024 12:45 pm

M. Emmet Walsh, the veteran actor who starred in Blade Runner and Knives Out, among many other movies during his decades-long acting career, has died at 88.

Walsh’s longtime manager, Sandy Joseph, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the actor died from a cardiac arrest on Tuesday, March 19, at Kerbs Memorial Hospital in St Albans, Vermont.

Born in 1935 in Ogdensburg, New York, Walsh initially dabbled in a few stage productions, which led to his Broadway debut in 1969 when he starred alongside Al Pacino in Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? He also got his first credited film role that same year, playing an army recruitment sergeant in Alice’s Restaurant.

Walsh appeared in over 200 films and TV shows across seven decades, spawning a multitude of memorable performances, including his turn as hard-nosed police captain Harry Bryant opposite Harrison Ford’s Rick Deckard in 1982’s Blade Runner, followed by a leading role, two years later, in 1984’s Blood Simple, the Coen Brothers’ first film, for which Walsh won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead.

M. Emmet Walsh. Image credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic.His other film credits include the likes of Straight Time, The Jerk, Serpico, The Gambler, Slap Shot, Ordinary People, Fletch, Raising Arizona, and My Best Friend’s Wedding, in addition to several guest roles in TV shows such as Starsky and Hutch, Frasier, The Twilight Zone, The X Files, Home Improvement, and Adventure Time.

One of his more recent appearances came in Rian Johnson’s 2019 murder-mystery comedy Knives Out. Walsh starred in the ensemble cast led by Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc, playing Mr Proofroc, the elderly security guard of the Thrombey mansion, where much of the film takes place after a murder occurs.

Johnson was among those who paid tribute to Walsh online following the news of his death. The filmmaker wrote in a heartfelt post on X/Twitter: “Emmet came to set with two things: a copy of his credits, which was a small-type single spaced double column list of modern classics that filled a whole page, and two-dollar bills which he passed out to the entire crew. ‘Don’t spend it and you’ll never be broke.’ Absolute legend.”

Emmet came to set with 2 things: a copy of his credits, which was a small-type single spaced double column list of modern classics that filled a whole page, & two-dollar bills which he passed out to the entire crew. “Don’t spend it and you’ll never be broke.” Absolute legend. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/hP8Ml1fBGi

— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) March 20, 2024 Walsh is survived by his niece Meagan Walsh, nephew Kevin Walsh, and grandnephews Emmet and Elliot.

Image credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X/Twitter @AdeleAnkers.