J. T. Walsh | |
---|---|
![]() Still of J.T. Walsh in Breakdown
|
|
Born |
James Thomas Patrick Walsh September 28, 1943 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
Died | February 27, 1998 Lemon Grove, California, U.S. |
(aged 54)
Cause of death | Heart attack |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1975–1998 |
Spouse(s) | Susan West (m. 1972–82) |
Children | 1 |
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, "The Grifters", Backdraft, Miracle on 34th Street, Outbreak, Sling Blade, Breakdown, Pleasantville, The Negotiator, and Good Morning, Vietnam. According to Leonard Maltin, he was known for portraying "quietly sinister white-collar sleazeballs" in numerous films, and was described as "everybody's favorite scumbag" by Playboy magazine.
Walsh was born in San Francisco, California. He had three siblings: Christopher, Patricia, and Mary.
From 1948-62, the family lived in West Germany, before moving back to the United States. After studying at Clongowes Wood College (a Jesuit school in Ireland) from 1955–61, he attended the University of Tübingen, and then the University of Rhode Island, where he starred in many college theater productions. In 1974, he was discovered by a theatre director and began working in off-Broadway shows. After college Walsh worked briefly as a VISTA volunteer in Newport, Rhode Island organizing tenants for the United Tenant Organizations of Rhode Island (UTO) before resigning to pursue his acting career.