Blade Runner and The X Files star M Emmet Walsh dies aged 88 after suffering cardiac arrest

Blade Runner and The X Files star M Emmet Walsh dies aged 88 after suffering cardiac arrest
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Lauren Williams

By Lauren Williams


Published: 20/03/2024

- 21:35

Updated: 20/03/2024

- 22:08

The actor featured in over 200 films with his manager confirming his death

Hollywood actor M Emmet Walsh has died at the age of 88, with his manager confirming the news he had suffered a cardiac arrest.

Tributes for the actor have already began to flood in, with many celebrating his stellar career.


His longtime manager Sandy Joseph revealed the beloved actor took his last breath on Tuesday at Kerbs Memorial Hospital in St Albans Vermont.

Walsh was best known for portraying Captain Bryant in Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, alongside Harrison Ford, and Mr Proofroc in the 2019 blockbuster Knives Out.

He was also in the Steve Martin film The Jerk, the Baz Luhrmann classic Romeo + Juliet with Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Redford feature directorial debut Ordinary People and Calvary with Brendan Gleeson.

Walsh was recently seen in the Western film Outlaw Posse, starring alongside royalty, Whoopi Goldberg.

M Emmet Walsh

Walsh starred in a staggering 200 features

GETTY

Walsh was born in Ogdensburg, New York and featured in a staggering amount of theatre plays, TV shows and films.

He began his passion for acting in Vermont before he kicked off his illustrious onscreen career in Alice’s Restaurant in 1969.

The Blade Runner star rose to fame portraying Harrison Ford’s boss in Ridley Scott’s 1982 masterpiece Blade Runner.

Soon after he starred in the Coen Brother’s gritty thriller Blood Simple and the sci-fi horror classic Critter – portraying a corrupt local sheriff.

M Emmet Walsh

Walsh recently starred in the 2019 hit Knives Out

GETTY

Fans of Walsh were left devasted at the news, leaving many to take to their X accounts to wish their condolences.

One commented: “RIP M Emmet Walsh. Real guy. Just saw him in Escape from the Planet of the Apes.”

“No movie featuring either Harry Dean Stanton or M. Emmet Walsh in a supporting role can be altogether bad.’ - Roger Ebert,” another sweetly penned.

Another added: “M. Emmet Walsh was a delightful character actor with range. THE JERK, BACK TO SCHOOL, BLOOD SIMPLE, BLADE RUNNER were a few of my faves.

M Emmet Walsh

M Emmet Walsh dies aged 88

GETTY

“I had the great pleasure of interviewing him at his home for DANGEROUS DAYS. As a Vermont native, he gave the whole crew autographed $2 bills.”

A fourth added: “The great M. Emmet Walsh has left us at age 88. Just terrific in everything he played in but particularly in this RIP.”

“RIP M. Emmet Walsh, king of character actors,” another simply penned before a sixth said: “I just saw that the brilliant M. Emmet Walsh has passed away. Rest in peace, you legend! One of the greatest character actors to ever do it.” (sic)

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