M. Emmet Walsh on Blood Simple

[@jeffeudeikis6204]

I already miss you, Mr. Walsh.

[@StewartGartland]

He will be missed. Blood simple made me see cinema differently ever since!!!

[@josephoutward]

same. fantastic story/movie.

[@jamals.8786]

RIP M. Emmet Walsh.

[@Kurtiscott]

What a rare treat of a interview. One of the great character actors of the last 40 + years

[@quietside3734]

Great actor, very underrated.

[@5tonyvvvv]

That Voice! Incredible !

[@MrWestdayable]

Nonsense. Highly-rated.

[@kdohertygizbur]

M Emmet Walsh is no way underrated

[@MrKidneypie]

The character he played in Blood Simple gave me chills the first time I saw it.

[@jabarebird]

+ bobthestoic Agreed - I have seen Blood Simple at a movie theater six times over the years. He turned in the performance of his career, what a great bit of casting that was.

[@JP1234815]

@@jabarebird Two lines was all it took in the film to show what an immoral person Leon Visser was: Marty: Got a job for you. Visser: Well, if the pay's right and it's legal I'll do it. Marty: It's not strictly legal. Visser: If the pay's right I'll do it.

[@user-uw3fr7cd9z]

@@JP1234815 don’t forget “Visser: Gimme a call whenever you wanna cut off my head. I can always crawl around without it.” That line just tells you everything about him

[@SpiderHacksaw]

Damn, I loved this man. Such a class act actor. His presence in a film just added so much. I just wish he'd had a lead in a movie. I can easily watch him for hours. And his real life persona is just as amazing and beautiful to watch and listen to as his characters. I do wish the boys would have put you in more of their movies along the way. You always brought the light. Thank you, M. Emmet Walsh.

[@PolferiferusII]

I'm not sure what role he couldv'e played in some never shot scene, but I could so easily picture him filling some niche in Fargo, No Country for Old Men, Oh Brother, True Grit, etc.

[@AlexanderVerney-Elliott-ep7dw]

M. Emmet Walsh is one of the greatest actors of all time: “Give me a call whenever you wanna cut off my head. I can always crawl around without it.”

[@josephdans7120]

Greatest line and it’s hard to believe he is really dead…I would make sure…

[@AlexanderVerney-Elliott-ep7dw]

@@josephdans7120 M. Emmet Walsh is probably crawling around without his head on, or even, without his body on....

[@jimjam51075]

"Give me some chonchon!" Oh, wait...

[@jeremydaly1500]

He's incredible in this film, this character has such a life and plays so well against the cold reserve of all the other characters. The character at once incredibly evil but the way he plays him as a "nice guy" brings an incredible almost psychotic charisma to it... lovely

[@martitinkovich4489]

I didn't see him as evil.............just comically detached.

[@JoePedo]

​@@martitinkovich4489 The real question. What happened to his penis at the end when she shot him?

[@mightisright]

He's the stand out performance. The rest are good, but the stars are Walsh, the directing and Barry Sonnenfeld's cinematography.

[@stoogefest16]

No, the character is transparently grimy and cynical, sneering like an imp all through the picture. His whole routine is that he excels at coming across as jolly and dull, when in truth he’s very crafty and devious, which is how he warps the situation to his advantage until the last five minutes of the picture.

[@spudskie3907]

He captured the spirit of the thing.

[@BigBadJerryRogers]

I loved the character actors of the 70s-80s. Harry Dean Stanton, Dabney Coleman, Warren Oates, Charles Durning. Better than most of the movie stars of the same time.

[@chuckschillingvideos]

Yep. As overrated as the "stars" were, the character actors were incredibly underrated.

[@jeremys5576]

Yes! Also Ned Beatty, Allen Garfield, John Cazale, Joe Spinell, Peter Boyle, Robert Duvall, Joe Don Baker, Bruce Dern, Frederic Forrest... and many more. The Golden Age of character actors.

[@MrQuaazga]

M. Emmett Walsh is one of my all time favorite character actors! I absolutely love him.

[@bmwloco]

Saw "Blood Simple" the day it came out in a cool dark theater in Athens, GA. Fantastic.

[@bmwloco]

@user-sd1sf2jd6i 4

[@emmettturner9452]

I envy you.

[@matthewrettenmund8358]

One of the best to ever do it.

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

I LOVE that he’s still around and still in great movies like Knives Out.

[@tano_cariddi]

Absolutely! He was on the screen just a few minutes, if so, and just stole the show, I was laughing like crazy :D

[@unclvinny]

d'oh! Now there's another reason to watch Knives Out again. I loved that movie, but don't remember his role.

[@Saulgud23]

When I tell you I watched Blood Simple literally a week ago for the first time, which was also his first performance that I've seen, that is just sad.

[@Bonzulac]

What part of that is sad, exactly

[@Saulgud23]

@@Bonzulac it's sad that he passed away days after I watched his great performance

[@thebagelsproductions]

Well, his legacy is the body of work that he has left. He's in Bladerunner, another movie of his. You might consider checking out

[@dvdstwrt]

One of the best! RIP

[@chemistryset1]

He elevates any movie he's featured in with his presence and talent - the Coens were typically astute in casting M. Emmet Walsh in Blood Simple, an early sign of their genius. also voiced the Cosmic Owl on Adventure Time :)

[@seurynck]

They wrote the part for him.

[@TobyCross]

This is a great interview. Thanks for posting. It's great to get some insight into this fantastic movie - the one that started it all.

[@jimhamtramck2570]

Genius! He was awesome in "Straight Time".

[@colinwilkes8957]

Yes a great film.

[@GeneralSamov]

Yep, he nailed the "asshole parole officer" part in that.

[@gazza1196]

One of Hoffmans best

[@whatsgoooood]

Rest in peace legend. Best laugh in film

[@MrWillHughes]

Love this guy! I was so pleasantly surprised to see him on season 3 of Sneaky Pete playing Margo Martindale's father. Still got it. He was the best thing about Blood Simple, which is a great movie.

[@hansmoffett9758]

Mr. Walsh has been one of 2 or 3 favorite actors for the past 30 odd years, and I've come to the conclusion that there's nothing that he can't do, and be excellent at the same time. If you're a fan of M. and haven't seen Clean and Sober, do yourself a favor and watch it. In my opinion he should've won a Best Supporting Actor for it.

[@gregstegeman7102]

And Michael Keaton should have won Best Actor for that film. He reminded me of Jack Nicholson at his best.

[@Bigger-Than-Jesus]

gonna watch it now. 2:30 am

[@dawnadriana1764]

I'm so glad I found your channel. Blood Simple is one of my all-time favorite movies. xo

[@DrRussPhd]

A great down to earth talent and a real Vermonter.

[@Zippezip]

RIP Bro

[@tippimail1]

Total genius-R.I.P.M.Emmet.

[@ashroskell]

Yes sir, you helped it alright. You gave a perfect performance in Blood Simple. The, “villains,” in that film are the most memorable characters, who stay with you, long after the movie’s over. And you were just great, sir.

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

Only problem is he was only in 2 Coen Brothers movies. Should have been in all of them.

[@kdohertygizbur]

I know right

[@Chameleonardodavinci]

yeah man... he's honestly the incarnation of their mission statement. the cold blooded spirit of texas americana, greasy gun-slingin' sociopath

[@ktkt1825]

I agree-

[@dariontaylor2527]

Very nice guy too, very cheerful.

[@PolferiferusII]

Someone on IMDb who said he was his neighbor in Swanton once left a comment that said something like "he's old but he still gets around. I see him shoveling the snow on his walkway sometimes..." The comment was from 2014 or 2015, I think. I don't think IMDb has that comment feature anymore. Or it was moved behind a paywall.

[@alfandeddie]

No matter the movie he’s always a treasure

[@thesoultwins72]

Extremely under-rated - Walsh always made such an important and profound impression in all the films he appeared in. That was his gift - simplicity. ''I need the old Bladerunner...need your magic''.

[@beanz4806]

Thanks, Mike. I sure enjoyed your acting.

[@defaultusername123]

What a man, what an actor. RIP

[@marstondavis]

Loved him in everything he did. His laugh is a classic. I rate him right up there with Strother Martin.

[@JeffBailey00]

Rip Mr. Walsh. So good in Blood Simple and in everything he was in. I will always remember him from seeing Tales From The Crypt when I was young.

[@josephdans7120]

He was brilliant in Blood Simple…amazing that he was not always in the overall loop…a tribute to the brilliance of the Cohens…

[@oscarquesada3294]

Brilliant interview that truly expresses the realities behind the making of genius cinema.

[@Gerlad970]

First time seeing this thanks for posting.

[@mondoenterprises6710]

Love this. Thanks for posting!

[@discosecret6363]

Fantastic movie, fantastic actor.

[@vingiecat74]

Always a treat to see him in any film. If I were him I might have arranged to have my remains placed under a rock, just for the fun of using my burial to reference a memorable line from Blood Simple.

[@biffjohnson34]

He’s got an amazing filmography

[@anthonyhitchings1051]

Geat movie - and this interview really adds to my appreciation of the movie

[@dh3279]

One of my all-time favorite performances!

[@tallyankeegal]

just so damn good, we miss you!

[@suspiriasam5093]

I enjoyed his role in Calvary fairly recently too

[@adaoramadike3543]

I saw this film when I was fifteen and I will really love to watch it again to fully understand what it all about.

[@jimclark6256]

It's the character actors who make a film great , not the so called stars. I always watch the characters in the background and enjoy how they stay in their roles.

[@janetdidonato9963]

He was the quintessential actor's actor. Any superlative doesn't begin to describe his art.

[@CasperLCat]

This guy’s just as much a character as his characters. The fact that he screwed himself out of a chunk of Blood Simple’s back end, because he wanted his cash on the day, is just like his character.

[@jk3521]

I love this movie !

[@millerman7799]

@8:12 Haha! xD A typical M. Emmet Walsh moment :D

[@kentallard8852]

demanding cash payment for acting seems like the thing his character would do

[@crimony3054]

you hire a cast of characters, you get a cast of characters

[@unclvinny]

"No, not that motherscratcher! Bill PARKER!"

[@PolferiferusII]

"He's not carnival personel!!"

[@Hattes]

Love him in this film, but it's very funny to hear him say that his concept of the character was that he's a nice guy.

[@pillettadoinswartsh4974]

Ah, he's from northern Vermont. Now it all makes sense.

[@rievans57]

Should've received an Oscar nomination-

[@lovethatagave]

He is so fantastic.

[@williambeck6364]

LOVE. THIS. GUY!

[@jamesramirez8685]

Yes, the awesome supporting actors. Keep the Star on their toes. You better bring it

[@revpgesqredux]

This is a good movie. It talks about how killing makes you stupid and puts you on tilt because now you're a murderer... So does Lying, cheating and stealing.... In the case here most recently, it has made the liars, cheaters and thieves more stupid than they were already.... No wonder the governance then.

[@wasimskhan]

Respect

[@SuperThomaspaine]

Lots of informative subtext to what Walsh says.

[@bricks-mortar]

"Blood Simple" - Excellent movie.

[@johnashe710]

IMO, the real star was Carter Burwell, who wrote his first movie music -- a haunting melody -- for Blood Simply. Burwell has since worked on several Coen Bros. movie.

[@pepelemoko01]

Lee Marvin says a bad guy doesn't think he is a bad guy.

[@YankeeStacking]

RIP.

[@rodneysammons5544]

Down here you're on your on

[@actoracademic]

RIP, Mr. Walsh.

[@voyeurcoma638]

Hell of a neck

[@reubenstockwell108]

*heck

[@TheSaltydog07]

We knew who you were, Mr. Walsh.

[@coolcat1684]

In ordinary people he played a great part...the coach. No nonsense guy

[@biffjohnson34]

Amazing character actor you are

[@user-uw3fr7cd9z]

Lmao he’s so adorable

[@8yerbrain]

The best character actor ever.

[@theoneonlydanw.miller9956]

Intelligent INNNsight!

[@Mcvthree3]

Absolutely brilliant, terrifying performance. Brilliant movie. Walsh, Hedaya, and McDormand all became well known, but whatever happened to the actor who played the bartender?

[@unclvinny]

Great question. Samm-Art Williams stayed pretty busy mostly in theater, it looks like. And John Getz (Ray) didn't really hit the big time, but kept working in films. The other three were much more successful, but overall the cast is just perfect for Blood Simple. It'll always have a special place in my heart.

[@Vlad65WFPReviews]

One of the main reasons movies today are doo-doo, no more Emmet Walsh types. Loved watching this guy from Slap Shot to Bladerunner.

[@planetwisconsin9901]

He got to be a "killer" in The Jerk! 😂

[@Bigger-Than-Jesus]

better than brando

[@unclvinny]

well now let's not go crazy

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

That movie was chilling and Emmet Walsh had one of the most memorable scenes in the film.

[@crimony3054]

and 1% of the net

[@ktkt1825]

@@crimony3054 It grossed 2.5 million, so who knows about the net. What Emmet gained from it was part of the Coen legend, and his pocket of hundreds. There is a great relatively recent interview with the Coens about the movie, and to say it was done on a shoestring is generous- is astonishing that it was made at all- Frances M wore many of her own clothes for wardrobe.

[@unclvinny]

​@@ktkt1825I think I saw that interview, too, and it sounds like they were down to where they just should have given up on getting it shown, but they kept at it. I'm so glad they did. Imagine if Frances McDormand and the Coens had just quit movies without getting started!

[@ktkt1825]

@@unclvinny Indeed! If you get a chance, watch 'The Story of Pixar'- how 5 Cal Arts students' passion formed a shoestring company pushing the cutting edge of CG only because Steve Jobs saw their potential-- amazing 'almost did not happen'.

[@gregstegeman7102]

"Straight Time" is a very underrated movie and M. stole it right from under Dustin Hoffman. I never forgot him after that.

[@cdavidlake2]

Is that Mount Bonnell?

[@ElliottJason83]

❤

[@Johnconno]

This film gave me the f*cking creeps when I was 18.

[@sedalia9356]

So humble. Hahaha.

[@Scribeifyouwantto]

I always saw his character as sort of a strange prototype for Anton chigurh in no country for old men

[@crimony3054]

I thought his work in Amadeus was better.

[@dasc0yne]

Younger Walsh looks a but like Ricky Gervais.

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

The reggae music is so out of place in that movie. 😄

[@cablejimmy]

Deliberately misleading

[@howard5992]

@@cablejimmy also the black bartender...first time I saw the film I was sure his role in the plot was going to be significant.

[@unclvinny]

I like it because it feels like the rest of the world is going by ignoring what's going on with the main characters. They're caught up in their weird problems, and outside it's a totally different scene.

[@kdohertygizbur]

Geraldine Page won for Tripe not Dewhurst

[@RD-vt9uu]

K Doherty he’s 81. Let’s give him a pass.

[@jr-zo9gi]

joel 1114 I thought his performance was just corny. His character was way over the top and not believable or threatening in any way. I think his talents were much better suited to the character he played in The Jerk

[@hansmoffett9758]

You might want to re-watch Blood Simple, I think you might have overlooked one of the great performances, especially for a low budget movie. What I consider over the top would be almost anything Al Pacino or Nic Cage is in.

[@jr-zo9gi]

@King Dark Waaaaay over the top.

[@clarence9379]

Agreed. His performance wasn’t enough to ruin the film or the character but it was definitely noticeably mediocre compared to how much he praised his abilities in this interview lol

[@unclvinny]

@@hansmoffett9758I agree with you, but I also think it counts as 'over the top'. His performance perfectly matched the script, and what the Coens wanted, but their universe is usually a bit -- or a lot! -- crazy and out of the norm. His character and performance aren't "believable" as such, but they match the eerie mood they were going for. One of my all-time favorites. So glad I stumbled on this interview.

[@BigBadJerryRogers]

He was supposed to be threatening in a deceptive way, not some big lug action movie obvious type. The character was a sleazy good ole boy genial Texan who has seen a lot in life and knows how to deal with and manipulate people. And he's willing to do anything. Everything was perfect.

[@jimmymac9843]

LOVED this man.

[@Drucius]

Respect.