M. Emmet Walsh, Actor fromKnives Out, Blade Runnerand More, Dead at 88

Mar. 15, 2025

M. Emmet Walsh on November 14, 2019 in Westwood, California.Photo:Jerod Harris/Getty

Jerod Harris/Getty

M. Emmet Walsh, the renowned character actor who starred inBlade RunnerandKnives Out,died on Tuesday. He was 88.

The actor’s manager, Sandy Joseph, and publicist Cynthia Snyder confirmed his death with PEOPLE on Wednesday. He died of cardiac arrest in St. Albans, Vermont, on Tuesday, per Snyder.

“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,” read Snyder’s statement.

Walsh appeared in 119 feature films and more than 250 television productions.

Michael Emmet Walsh was born on March 22, 1935, in Ogdensburg, New York, and was raised in Swanton, Vermont.

He earned a degree in business administration and marketing from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York, and studied at the Academy of Dramatic Arts. He made his onscreen debut in the 1969 filmAlice’s Restaurant, and the next year, he moved from New York to Los Angeles.

M. Emmet Walsh in “Blade Runner.".Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett

Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett

Throughout the 1970s, he starred alongside Hollywood’s biggest names. At the start of the decade, he appeared alongsideDustin HoffmaninLittle Big Man. The following year, he was inJoanne Woodward’sThey Might Be Giants. Then, in 1972, he appeared in the romantic comedyWhat’s Up, Doc— which starredRyan O’NealandBarbra Streisand.

He then appeared alongside Woodward’s husband,Paul Newman, in the 1977 sports hitSlap Shot. He then reunited with Hoffman in 1978 forStraight Time. The next year, he was inThe JerkwithSteve Martin.

M. Emmet Walsh in “My Best Friend’s Wedding.".TriStar Pictures/ Everett

TriStar Pictures/ Everett

In the following decade, he ventured into neo-noir films and starred in the 1982 sci-fi cult classicBlade RunnerwithHarrison Ford. Two years later, he starred in directors Joel and Ethan Coen’s debut film, the crime noirBlood SimplewithFrances McDormand. He worked with the Coen Brothers again in the 1987 comedyRaising Arizona, starringNicholas Cageand Holly Hunter.

In addition to the aforementioned features, Walsh also acted alongside many more stars throughout the 1980s — includingRobert RedfordinBrubaker(1980),Donald SutherlandandMary Tyler MooreinOrdinary People(1980),Warren BeattyandDiane KeatoninReds(1981),Chevy ChaseinFletch(1985),Michael KeatoninClean and Sober(1988), and many more.

In the next few decades, he also starred in a gamut of films, from the romantic comedyMy Best Friend’s Weddingto the sports filmRacing Stripesto the murder mystery hitKnives Out.

“I don’t want to play the same type of character 10 times,” Walsh toldThe Denver Gazettein 2014. “I want to be a garbage collector in one film and a governor in the next.”

“I approach each job thinking it might be my last,” added Walsh. “So it had better be the best work possible.”

M. Emmet Walsh in “Knives Out.".Lionsgate

Lionsgate

He has two projects that will come out posthumously. Later this year, the WesternOutlaw Possewill premiere, whileGreen & Goldis currently in post-production.

John Goodman and M. Emmet Walsh in “The Righteous Gemstones.".Ryan Green/HBO/Everett

Ryan Green/HBO/Everett

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He also established the Blarney Fund Education Trust in 1979 to help provide scholarships to Vermont students.

source: people.com