Blade Runner Actor Tragically Passes Away At Age 88

Everyone knows his face, yet no one knows his name.

M. Emmet Walsh is considered by many Hollywood insiders to be a legendary character actor, and starred in many supporting roles in iconic films such as “Blade Runner” and “Knives Out.”

The actor has been featured in 119 films and over 250 television programs over his career spanning six decades.

Walsh tragically passed away on Tuesday at the age of 88 due to cardiac arrest.

One individual provided this quote from Walsh: “People know my work, but they don’t know who I am. I’ve always had fun hiding in the character.”

"People know my work, but they don't know who I am. I've always had fun hiding in the character."

— M. Emmet Walsh

Blade Runner (1982)
Director: Ridley Scott pic.twitter.com/CGTeyHUcTx

— DepressedBergman (@DannyDrinksWine) March 21, 2024

RIP M. Emmet Walsh. Nobody ever hated oil cans and typical random bastards with more panache. pic.twitter.com/A1EiWcS8OV

— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) March 21, 2024

BLOOD SIMPLE – Coen Brothers, 1984

M. Emmet Walsh #RIP pic.twitter.com/lpPuAGsXCE

— Judy Cohen (@IKnewThemWell) March 21, 2024

The New York Post presented a short and partial sample of Walsh’s work:

He went on to star alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest stars throughout the ’70s and ’80s, including Ryan O’Neal and Barbra Streisand (1972’s “What’s Up, Doc?”), Paul Newman (1977’s “Slap Shot”), Dustin Hoffman (1970’s “Little Big Man” and 1978’s “Straight Time”), Steve Martin (1979’s “The Jerk”), Harrison Ford (1982’s “Blade Runner”) and Frances McDormand (1984’s “Blood Simple”).

Actor Rob Schneider wrote: “One of the finest actors and human beings I have ever known, M Emmet Walsh has passed. I remember all his wonderful stories and how generous he was with the wisdom and acting knowledge he had accumulated in his 119 movies he made in his career. God bless you, my friend.”

One of the finest actors and human beings I have ever known, M Emmet Walsh has passed. I remember all his wonderful stories and how generous he was with the wisdom and acting knowledge he had accumulated in his 119 movies he made in his career.
God bless you, my friend. pic.twitter.com/DkimBoYrUk

— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) March 20, 2024

CNN featured this quote from Walsh:

“I approach each job thinking it might be my last so it better be the best work possible,” Walsh once said when asked about his career, according to the obituary provided by Joseph.

“I want to be remembered as a working actor. I’m being paid for what I’d do for nothing.”