Kenneth Welsh was a Canadian actor known for appearances in moves and TV shows including “Twin Peaks” and “The Aviator.”
- Died: May 5, 2022 (Who else died on May 5?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 80.
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Acting career
Welsh began his career as a stage actor, with a handful of screen roles coming in the 1960s and ‘70s. He made many appearances in the ‘80s, with his movies including “Radio Days” and “Crocodile Dundee II” and TV shows including “Spenser: For Hire,” “T. and T.,” and the miniseries “Empire Inc.” In 1990, Welsh took one of his most prominent roles, playing the villainous former FBI agent Windom Earle, who appeared in disguises throughout the series. He played Katharine Hepburn’s father in the 2004 movie “The Aviator” and had roles in many other movies, such as “The Freshman,” “The Day After Tomorrow,” “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” and “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.” Welsh also appeared in a wide variety of Canadian and U.S. TV shows, including “The X-Files,” “Due South,” “Smallville,” and “Saving Hope.” Welsh had a recurring role in “Lodge 49,” and he played Senna Tal in two 2020 episodes of “Star Trek: Discovery.”
Welsh on playing Windom Earle
“[T]here was no predicting it. What was he gonna turn up as next? I think even dressing up as that biker out of nowhere, that was my idea. I said, ‘Come on Bob, I’ll be this big biker guy.’” —from a 2019 interview for 25 Years Later
Tributes to Kenneth Welsh
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
