James Thomas Patrick "J. T." Walsh (September 28, 1943 – February 27, 1998) was an American actor. He appeared in many well known films, including Nixon, Hoffa, A Few Good Men, Backdraft, Miracle on 34th Street, Outbreak, Breakdown, Pleasantville, The Negotiator, and Good Morning, Vietnam. He was known for portraying "quietly sinister white-collar sleazeballs" (as stated by Leonard Maltin) in numerous films, and was described as "everybody's favorite scumbag" by Playboy magazine.
September 28, 1943, San Francisco, California, United States
Died
February 27, 1998, Lemon Grove, California, United States
Place Of Birth
San Francisco, California, USA
Height
6' 1" (1.85 m)
Profession
Actor
Spouse
Susan West (m. 1972–1982)
Children
John West
Star Sign
Libra
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Trademark
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Deep authoritative voice
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Often played cowardly, sinister villains
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Quote
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I never resented being called a character actor in New York, but with the caste system they have in Hollywood, you feel the little sting of it. There is a distinction made between the person who is getting $20 million and everyone else. You're the one directors know they don't have to worry about, so they can turn their attention to more pressing problems, like finding the star a bigger trailer.
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(1997) I like to read fiction because it transports me away from Hollywood, and I like travel novels. I also drive up the coast to Santa Barbara to escape and get out of town. I stay the most at the San Ysidro Ranch. It's a quiet and simple, protected village and no one bothers you. It's also very pretty.
In his last year, Walsh starred in the 1998 films Hidden Agenda, Pleasantville, and The Negotiator. All three movies, plus Outside Ozona (Walsh died shortly before production commenced) were dedicated to his memory.
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Although he acted in college at the University of Rhode Island, as well as on and off-Broadway productions, he did not act in his first film until he was nearly 42 years old.
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Had a strong interest in metaphysics.
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His father died of brain cancer and his mother died of Alzheimer's disease.
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Held a bachelor's degree in sociology from Rhode Island University.
Before his death, he was hoping to follow the example of Gene Hackman and get away from playing the psychopaths and cowards he had been typecast as, playing more complicated and substantial character parts.
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Early jobs also included tending bar at some of Manhattan's best seafood restaurants.
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He spoke fluent German.
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During his childhood, he attended a Jesuit boarding school in Ireland.
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Brother of Christopher Walsh, Patricia Walsh and Mary Walsh.
Early jobs included social worker, encyclopedia salesman, junior high school teacher, and reporter.
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Graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where he starred as an undergraduate in many college theater productions and was president of Students for a Democratic Society, an organization that grew out of the anti-war movement of the 1960s.
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He died of a heart attack while vacationing near San Diego, CA. Walsh fell ill while staying at a resort hotel & was taken to Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, CA, where he was pronounced dead. He lived in Encino (Los Angeles) with his son, John West, at the time of his death.
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In just over a decade, he appeared in more than two dozen films.
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Big break in 1984 while working in David Mamet's "Glengarry Glen Ross" on broadway.
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Discovered by a director in 1974 and began working in off-broadway shows.
$850,000
