- 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.
- Has been deaf in his left ear since age three.
- Appeared in the pilot episode of The Bob Newhart Show (1972).
- Was roommates with actor William Devane in college.
- The 'M' in his name stands for Michael.
- Keeps a home in rural West Swanton, Vermont.
- As of 2024, has appeared in four films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Midnight Cowboy (1969), Bound for Glory (1976), Ordinary People (1980) and Reds (1981). Of those, Midnight Cowboy (1969) and Ordinary People (1980) are winners in the category.
- His grandfather, father, and brother were immigration officials on the Canadian border.
- In Christmas with the Kranks (2004), he plays a neighbor of Tim Allen. He played Allen's father-in-law on Home Improvement (1991).
- Graduated from the Clarkson University School of Business.
- National Theatre, London, making his UK stage debut in a major revival of "Buried Child" by Sam Shepard. (September 2004)
- He is of Irish descent.
- Attended Tilton School in Tilton, N.H.
- Alumnus of the AADA (American Academy of Dramatic Arts), Class of 1961.
- Passed away in Vermont, 3 days before his 89th birthday.
- In 2018, Walsh was inducted into the Character Actor Hall of Fame by his Blade Runner co-star Harrison Ford. Later in the same ceremony he received the Chairman's Lifetime Achievement award.
- Although he played Tim Thomerson's father in Pilot (1990) and The Flash (1990), he is only eleven years his senior in real life.
- Appeared in three films with Dustin Hoffman: Midnight Cowboy (1969), Little Big Man (1970) and Straight Time (1978).
- Walsh had a reputation for generosity and wry wit. He habitually distributed two-dollar bills to the set's crew, with some advice: "Don't spend it, and you'll never be broke.".
- Over seven decades as a character actor, he has credited roles in more than 220 films and television shows.
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