J.T. Walsh

Acting

J.T. Walsh

Born September 28, 1943San Francisco, California, USA70 credits

James Thomas Patrick 'J.T.' Walsh (September 28, 1943 - February 27, 1998) was an American actor. Known for his versatility and ability to play a wide range of characters, he had a successful career in film, television, and theater. Before becoming an actor, Walsh worked as a stagehand and set builder. He made his on-screen debut in the early 1980s and quickly gained recognition for his convincing performances, often portraying authority figures or antagonists. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, his career took off with notable roles in films like Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), A Few Good Men (1992), and Sling Blade (1996). He had a commanding and intense presence on screen, making him memorable in both lead and supporting roles. He was known for his roles as "quietly sinister white-collar sleazeballs" (quote from Leonard Maltin) in numerous feature films and was described as "everybody's favourite scumbag" by Playboy magazine. He was known for his dedication to authenticity and his meticulous approach to acting. He seamlessly transitioned between genres, showcasing his talent in drama, comedy, and suspense, earning him respect as a character actor. Sadly, his career was cut short when he passed away on February 27, 1998, at the age of 54.

Known For

Filmography

Hidden Agenda
1999Hidden Agenda
as Jonathan ZanuckMovie
Pleasantville
1998Pleasantville
as Big BobMovie
The Negotiator
1998The Negotiator
as Insp. Terence NiebaumMovie
Hope
1997Hope
as Ray PercyMovie
Breakdown
1997Breakdown
as Warren 'Red' BarrMovie
Dark Skies
1996Dark Skies
as Capt. Frank BachMovie
Dark Skies
1996Dark Skies
as Frank BachTV
Crime of the Century
1996Crime of the Century
as Col. Norman SchwarzkopfMovie
Gang in Blue
1996Gang in Blue
as Lt. William EylerMovie
Sling Blade
1996Sling Blade
as Charles BushmanMovie
Sacred Cargo
1996Sacred Cargo
as Father StanislavMovie
The Little Death
1996The Little Death
as Ted HannonMovie
Executive Decision
1996Executive Decision
as Senator MavrosMovie
Nixon
1995Nixon
as John EhrlichmanMovie
The Low Life
1995The Low Life
as Mike SrMovie
The Babysitter
1995The Babysitter
as Harry TuckerMovie
Black Day Blue Night
1995Black Day Blue Night
as Lt. John QuinnMovie
Outbreak
1995Outbreak
as Chief of Staff (uncredited)Movie
Miracle on 34th Street
1994Miracle on 34th Street
as Ed CollinsMovie
Star Struck
1994Star Struck
as GreerMovie
Silent Fall
1994Silent Fall
as Sheriff Mitch RiversMovie
The Client
1994The Client
as Jason McThuneMovie
The Last Seduction
1994The Last Seduction
as Frank GriffithMovie
Blue Chips
1994Blue Chips
as HappyMovie
P
1993Partners
as "Grave Squad" LawyerMovie
Morning Glory
1993Morning Glory
as Sheriff Reese GoodloeMovie
The X-Files
1993The X-Files
as Warden Leo BrodeurTV
Needful Things
1993Needful Things
as Danforth Keeton IIIMovie
Red Rock West
1993Red Rock West
as Wayne BrownMovie
Sniper
1993Sniper
as Beckett's Senior OfficerMovie
Hoffa
1992Hoffa
as Frank FitzsimmonsMovie
A Few Good Men
1992A Few Good Men
as Lt. Col. Matthew A. MarkinsonMovie
In the Shadow of a Killer
1992In the Shadow of a Killer
as Insp. Leo KemenyMovie
The Prom
1992The Prom
as Grover DeanMovie
Contact
1992Contact
as Radio LieutenantMovie
Iron Maze
1991Iron Maze
as Jack RuhleMovie
Defenseless
1991Defenseless
as Steven SeldesMovie
True Identity
1991True Identity
as HoustonMovie
Backdraft
1991Backdraft
as Alderman Marty SwayzakMovie
The Russia House
1990The Russia House
as Colonel QuinnMovie
Misery
1990Misery
as State Trooper Sherman Douglas (uncredited)Movie
Narrow Margin
1990Narrow Margin
as Michael TarlowMovie
The Grifters
1990The Grifters
as ColeMovie
Crazy People
1990Crazy People
as DruckerMovie
Why Me?
1990Why Me?
as Francis MahoneyMovie
Dad
1989Dad
as Dr. SantanaMovie
The Big Picture
1989The Big Picture
as Allen HabelMovie
Wired
1989Wired
as Bob WoodwardMovie
Tequila Sunrise
1988Tequila Sunrise
as DEA Agent Hal McGuireMovie
Things Change
1988Things Change
as Hotel ManagerMovie
Good Morning, Vietnam
1987Good Morning, Vietnam
as Sgt. Major DickersonMovie
House of Games
1987House of Games
as The BusinessmanMovie
Tin Men
1987Tin Men
as WingMovie
L.A. Law
1986L.A. Law
as Pete BostikTV
Power
1986Power
as Jerome CadeMovie
The Equalizer
1985The Equalizer
as Andrew BanksTV
Right to Kill?
1985Right to Kill?
as Maj. EckworthMovie
Hard Choices
1985Hard Choices
as Deputy AndersonMovie
The Beniker Gang
1984The Beniker Gang
as Principal StoddardMovie
Eddie Macon's Run
1983Eddie Macon's Run
as Man in BarMovie