Born Michael Emmet Walsh on the 22nd March 1935, in Ogdensburg, New York State USA, he is an award- winning actor, best known to the world as Private Detective Loren Visser in the film “Blood Simple” (1984), while he also had success in the role of Bryant in the film “Blade Runner” (1982), and as Joe O’Neal in the film “My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997), among many other appearances.
Have you ever wondered how rich Michael Emmeth Walsh is, as of late 2017? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Walsh’s net worth is as high as $1.5 million, an amount earned through his long career, which has been active since the late ‘60s. During his career, this famous actor has showcased his talent in more than 200 film and TV titles.
M. Emmeth Walsh Net Worth $1.5 Million
Michael is the son of Harry Maurice Walsh, Sr., who worked as a customs agent, and his wife, Agnes Katharine (née Sullivan), he grew up in Swanton, Vermont. After finishing high school, Walsh enrolled at Clarkson University, graduating with a degree in Business Administration. Forty years after his graduation, he was given the Golden Knight Award by the Clarkson Alumni Association.
Michael made his acting debut in the TV series “The Doctors” in 1968, and after a number of minor roles in several successful films, including the Academy Award- nominated adventure “Little Big Man” (1970), directed by Arthur Penn, he was cast in his first recurring role, as Gabe McCutcheon in the TV series “Nichols” (1971-1972), and then portrayed the character Alex Lembeck in “The Sandy Duncan Show” (1972), while in 1973 he was a cast member of the Academy Award- nominated crime drama “Serpico”, starring Al Pacino, Jack Randolph and Jack Kehoe. His first notable role was the character Earl Frank in the crime drama film “Straight Time” in 1978, directed by Ulu Grosbard and starring Dustin Hoffman and Theresa Russell.
The ‘80s brought stardom to Michael, since he landed some of his most notable roles, including Bryant in Ridley Scott directed sci-fi thriller “Blade Runner” (1982), with Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer in the lead roles, then as Walt Yarborough in the drama “Silkwood” (1983), starring Meryl Streep, Kurt Russell and Cher in the lead roles, and then his most notable role as Private Detective Loren Visser in Joel and Ethan Coen’s first feature “Blood Simple” (1984), which only increased his wealth. He continued to appear in highly-acclaimed films towards the ‘90s, however, to be cast as a lead was still out of his reach, but still he made a name for himself as a supporting actor with roles in “Harry and the Hendersons” (1987), “No Man’s Land” (1987) then “The Milagro Beanfield” (1988) that starred Richard Bradford.
Walsh kept piling on minor roles in the ‘90s, however, none of those endeavors had much effect on his wealth, but his career was hallmarked in portraying police officers and other persons of authority. Some of the roles include Fire Chief in “Wilder Napalm” (1993), Sheriff Bob Brody in “Bitter Harvest” (1993), and Sergeant Miller Hoskins in “Dead Badge” (1994). He also appeared in “Wild Wild West” in 1999.
Aging hasn’t stopped him from acting, however, he has remained a supporting actor until the present day. He is now working on the drama film “Change in the Air”, next to Rachel Brosnahan and Aidan Quinn. The film is currently in post-production.
He is also focused on voice acting, and has lent his voice to Earl Stutz from the animated film “The Iron Giant” (1999), then Mack from the animated series “Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot” (1999-2001), Olaf in the animated series “Pound Puppies” (2010-2013), and Cosmic Owl in “Adventure Time” (2012-2015), all of which added to his net worth.
Regarding his personal life, there are rumours about Walsh marrying secretly in 2014, but no details have emerged.
Blood Simple, Blade Runner, Missing in Action, Snow Dogs, The Jerk, Wild Wild West, Christmas with the Kranks, Critters, Big Stan, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, Racing Stripes, The Iron Giant, Raising Arizona, Red Scorpion, Ordinary People, Straight Time, Fletch, My Best Friend's Wedding, Clean and...
TV Shows
Pound Puppies, Unsub, The Sandy Duncan Show
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Trademark
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Often cast as seemingly bellicose but harmless loudmouths, cast chillingly against type in Blood Simple. (1984).
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Loud, loquacious characters
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Chunky, rotund frame
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Hang-dog face
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Quote
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I don't have an ego when I get the work. If I'm playing a doctor I want you to see a doctor. I don't want you to see an Emmet Walsh doctor and that's I think been the confusion with my career. People know my work, but they don't know who I am. I've always had fun hiding in the character.
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I approach each job thinking I may die of a heart attack, so it had better be the best work possible.
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I'm being paid for what I'd do for nothing.
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Fact
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Although he played Tim Thomerson's father in The Flash: Pilot (1990), he is only eleven years his senior in real life.
Critic Roger Ebert so admired him that he created the "Stanton-Walsh Rule," which states that "no movie featuring either Harry Dean Stanton or M. Emmet Walsh in a supporting role can be altogether bad." Ebert later admitted this rule was broken by Wild Wild West (1999), in which Walsh appeared.
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Keeps a home in rural West Swanton, Vermont.
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Has been deaf in his left ear since age three.
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Graduated from the Clarkson University School of Business.
$1.5 Million
