
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.
The roles that explain the career.








51 credits across 2 departments.
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | The Negotiator | Insp. Terence Niebaum | Film |
| 1998 | Pleasantville | Big Bob | Film |
| 1997 | Breakdown | Warren 'Red' Barr | Film |
| 1996 | Dark Skies | Frank Bach | TV |
| 1996 | The Little Death | Ted Hannon | Film |
| 1996 | Persons Unknown | Cake | Film |
| 1996 | Executive Decision | Senator Mavros | Film |
| 1996 | Gang in Blue | Lt. William Eyler | Film |
| 1996 | Sling Blade | Charles Bushman | Film |
| 1996 | Crime of the Century | Col. Norman Schwarzkopf | Film |
| 1995 | The Babysitter | Harry Tucker | Film |
| 1995 | Black Day Blue Night | Lt. John Quinn | Film |
| 1995 | Charlie's Ghost Story | Darryl | Film |
| 1995 | The Low Life | Mike Sr | Film |
| 1995 | Nixon | John Ehrlichman | Film |
| 1994 | Miracle on 34th Street | Ed Collins | Film |
| 1994 | Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade | Charles Bushman | Film |
| 1994 | Silent Fall | Sheriff Mitch Rivers | Film |
| 1994 | The Last Seduction | Frank Griffith | Film |
| 1994 | The Client | Jason McThune | Film |
| 1994 | Blue Chips | Happy | Film |
| 1993 | Red Rock West | Wayne Brown | Film |
| 1993 | Sniper | Beckett's Senior Officer | Film |
| 1993 | Morning Glory | Sheriff Reese Goodloe | Film |
| 1993 | Needful Things | Danforth Keeton III | Film |
| 1992 | A Few Good Men | Lt. Col. Matthew A. Markinson | Film |
| 1992 | Hoffa | Frank Fitzsimmons | Film |
| 1992 | The Prom | Grover Dean | Film |
| 1991 | Backdraft | Alderman Marty Swayzak | Film |
| 1991 | True Identity | Houston | Film |
| 1991 | Iron Maze | Jack Ruhle | Film |
| 1991 | Defenseless | Steven Seldes | Film |
| 1990 | Crazy People | Drucker | Film |
| 1990 | Narrow Margin | Michael Tarlow | Film |
| 1990 | The Grifters | Cole | Film |
| 1990 | Why Me? | Francis Mahoney | Film |
| 1990 | The Russia House | Colonel Quinn | Film |
| 1990 | Misery | State Trooper Sherman Douglas (uncredited) | Film |
| 1989 | The Big Picture | Allen Habel | Film |
| 1989 | Dad | Dr. Santana | Film |
| 1989 | Wired | Bob Woodward | Film |
| 1988 | Things Change | Hotel Manager | Film |
| 1988 | Tequila Sunrise | DEA Agent Hal McGuire | Film |
| 1987 | Tin Men | Wing | Film |
| 1987 | House of Games | The Businessman | Film |
| 1987 | Good Morning, Vietnam | Sgt. Major Dickerson | Film |
| 1986 | Power | Jerome Cade | Film |
| 1986 | Hannah and Her Sisters | Ed Smythe | Film |
| 1984 | The Beniker Gang | Principal Stoddard | Film |
| 1983 | Eddie Macon's Run | Man in Bar | Film |
| 1982 | Little Gloria... Happy at Last | TV |
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