“Blade Runner” Actor Dead at 88 Years Old

(RepublicanJournal.org) – Actor M. Emmet Walsh, best known for his portrayals in “Blade Runner,” “Harry and the Hendersons,” and “Christmas With the Kranks,” has died. The performer was reportedly in the hospital for undisclosed reasons when he passed away from a heart attack. He was 88 years old when he died.

Sources haven’t been able to determine whether Walsh was in the hospital due to an illness or other health condition, and no other details surrounding his death are currently available. He left behind only his niece, Meagan Walsh; a nephew, Kevin “Renee” Walsh; and two grandnephews, Emmet and Elliot.

Walsh had 234 acting credits according to his IMDb page. He began his career in 1968 when he appeared in an episode of “The Doctors.” He landed numerous other roles from there, appearing in iconic shows including “N.Y.P.D,” “Alice’s Restaurant,” “All in the Family,” and the 1972 pilot episode of “The Bob Newhart Show.” He played in three movies that featured Dustin Hoffman, starting with “Midnight Cowboy” in 1969, followed by “Little Big Man” in 1970 and “Straight Time” in 1978. He played Tim Allen’s father in “Home Improvement” in 1991, and then acted with Allen once again when he portrayed the neighbor in “Christmas With the Kranks,” which came out in 2004.

Walsh received multiple awards and nominations for his performances. His first came in 1986, when he won Best Male Lead in The Independent Spirit Awards for his role in “Blood Simple.” His work in “Man in the Chair” led to an award in 2007 at Method Fest for best ensemble cast. He received a nomination in 2014 for Best Vocal Ensemble in a Children’s/Educational Television Series for his work on “Pound Puppies,” and he was also nominated for Best Ensemble by the Online Film & Television Association in 2020 for his contribution to the witty murder mystery “Knives Out.”