Blade Runner actor M Emmet Walsh dies at 88

The renowened actor M Emmet Walsh is no more. Walsh who has starred in critically acclaimed movies like Blade Runner and Knives Out, has died. He was 88.

Walsh, who played the role of Dermot Mulroney’s dad in My Best Friend’s Wedding, died of cardiac arrest in St. Albans, Vermont.

His publicist Cynthia Snyder said in a statement, “In a remarkable career spanning six decades on stage, in film and television, he became widely recognized for his standout portrayals of such memorable characters.”

 Walsh had a remarkable career spanning over six decades and has been part of many blockbuster movies like Ridley Scott’s 1982 Blade Runner, Critters, and Knives Out among others. 

Born on March 22, 1935, in Ogdensburg, New York, he started his acting career in theatre, before starting working in TV and film. His big debut came in Alice’s Restaurant in 1969. 

He made his TV debut in 1968 when he appeared in an episode of The Doctors. He also went on to star in Broadway shows and shared the stage with Al Pacino. 

Walsh rose to fame in the 1970s, when he played the role of Dickie Dunn in the film Slap Shot. Later he went on to play memorable roles in Straight Time, The Jerk.

Walsh’s performance in the movie was loved by the critics. Film critic Roger Ebert created the “Stanton-Walsh Rule,” saying, “no movie featuring either Harry Dean Stanton or M. Emmet Walsh in a supporting role can be altogether bad.”

He has also lent his voice to narrating The Civil War,  Baseball, The Iron Giant and Pound Puppies.