Actor M Emmet Walsh dies after starring in Knives Out and Blade Runner

Knives Out and Blade Runner star M Emmet Walsh has died at 88 years old.

The star died of cardiac arrest at Kerbs Memorial Hospital in St. Albans, Vermont. The news was confirmed by his manager, Sandy Joseph. His publicist Cynthia Snyder said in a statement to The Mirror: “Walsh’s tremendous body of work includes 119 feature films and more than 250 television productions.”

Emmet studied at the Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York and the Academy of Dramatic Arts. He received a degree in business administration and marketing. The actor made his formal acting debut in 1969, appearing in the movie Alice’s Restaurant. Heading into the next decade, Emmet saw his career flourish in movies like What’s Up, Doc and Slap Shot.

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M. Emmet Walsh

He wasn’t just a movie star, but also appeared on television, too. Fans will remember him for his roles on shows like Sneaky Pete and The Mind of the Married Man. Thereafter, he continued to find success in the ’90s hit My Best Friend’s Wedding. Emmet was known for appearing alongside some of Hollywood’s greatest actors and actresses.

The star notably worked with legends such as Whoopi Goldberg, Harrison Ford, and Julia Roberts. Celebrities who had the chance to work with Emmet reported just how powerful the experience was.

After working with him in A Little White Lies, Michael Shannon told Collider : “That was kind of a dream come true. I’ve been watching him for years, and much like when I got the opportunity to work with Christopher Plummer in Knives Out, it’s just… You know, getting an opportunity to work with someone with decades of experience and someone so firmly etched into the cinema landscape, you know. I couldn’t believe I was sitting on a park bench improvising with M. Emmet Walsh. It’s definitely one of those pinch-me moments. ‘Pinch me, I must be dreaming.”

M. Emmet Walsh

Heartbroken fans penned touching tributes. One wrote: M. Emmet Walsh was one of the ultimate THAT GUY actors. Always loved seeing him pop up in anything, whether it was Blade Runner, Knives Out, Blood Simple, or even Christmas with the Kranks. Rest well, sir, you rock.”

Another said: “When it comes to films, I don’t usually have favorite lead actors. I do have favorite character actors though and M. Emmet Walsh just might be the finest of them all. A familiar face that always made a movie better whether it was briefly or for the full running time. RIP.” A third said: “Ah hell. What a great actor in every role he ever played. And he got some of the best supporting roles in film history.”