Kenneth Welsh

Biography

Kenneth Welsh was a Canadian actor who built a career of nearly 60 years with more than 300 stage, film, and television credits. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, he trained at the University of Alberta and the National Theatre School, graduating in 1965. He then spent six years at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, making his debut in 1966 in Henry V. He later appeared Off-Broadway and on Broadway, and won a Joseph Jefferson Award in 1975. On television, he was known for playing the villain Windom Earle on Twin Peaks and for his role as Dr. Watson in a string of Sherlock Holmes telefilms for CTV. His film roles included Thomas Norval Hepburn in The Aviator (2004) and the vice president in The Day After Tomorrow (2004). He won a Genie Award for Margaret's Museum (1996), took four Gemini Awards, and was named to the Order of Canada in 2003. He died in 2022.

80years old at death

Born March 30, 1942Edmonton
Died May 5, 2022Toronto
Star sign: AriesThe sign runs March 21 to April 19

Movie Career

Films: 60
Career span: 44 years1980 to 2024

Genres

Drama55%, 33 films
Thriller30%, 18 films
Comedy22%, 13 films
Crime22%, 13 films
Horror18%, 11 films

First and latest

Did you know?!

First role
Welsh made his stage debut with the Stratford Festival in its 1966 season, playing Sir Thomas Grey in Henry V, and stayed with the Festival for six years.
Getting ready for a role
Roland Emmerich cast Welsh as the US vice-president in The Day After Tomorrow specifically because of his resemblance to Dick Cheney, and the character was meant as criticism of the Bush administration's environmental policies.
Early training
Welsh kept studying acting at the University of Alberta, where Gordon Peacock was his teacher, and later went to Montreal for the National Theatre School. He graduated in 1965.
Behind the award
Welsh left the Festival after a 1973 European tour and worked at theaters in Minneapolis and Chicago. In 1975, his role in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui at the Goodman earned him a Joseph Jefferson Award.
Behind the camera
Welsh directed Charles Dennis in Dennis's play SoHo Duo at the West Bank Theatre in New York City in 1997, after Dennis had written and directed Welsh in Reno and the Doc.

Kenneth Welsh movies on Netflix

Campton Manor2024IMDb rating 3.4as Lawrence
The Middle Man2021IMDb rating 6.0as Mr. Miller
PG: Psycho Goreman2020IMDb rating 6.3as Narrator & Judicator (voice)
Awakening the Zodiac2017IMDb rating 4.8as Ben
Undercover Grandpa2017IMDb rating 5.3as Harry
A Nutcracker Christmas2016IMDb rating 6.6as Dimitri
The Void2016IMDb rating 5.9as Dr. Richard Powell
Cottage Country2013IMDb rating 5.6as Earl
The Art of the Steal2013IMDb rating 6.3as 'Uncle' Paddy MacCarthy
The Story of Luke2012IMDb rating 7.1as Grandpa Jonas
Grey Gardens2009IMDb rating 7.4as Max Gordon
Survival of the Dead2009IMDb rating 4.8as O'Flynn
A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride2008IMDb rating 5.5as Jack
Adoration2008IMDb rating 6.3as Morris
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl2008IMDb rating 6.5as Uncle Hendrick
Silk2007IMDb rating 5.8as Mayor Joncour
One Way2006IMDb rating 6.1as William Henderson
The Covenant2006IMDb rating 5.2as Provost Higgins
Four Brothers2005IMDb rating 6.8as Robert Bradford
Karol: A Man Who Became Pope2005IMDb rating 7.0as Professor Wójcik
Our Fathers2005IMDb rating 7.2as Bishop Murphy
The Exorcism of Emily Rose2005IMDb rating 6.7as Dr. Mueller
The Fog2005IMDb rating 3.7as Tom Malone
The Snow Queen2005IMDb rating 5.9as King
Miracle2004IMDb rating 7.5as Doc Nagobads
The Aviator2004IMDb rating 7.5as Dr. Hepburn
The Day After Tomorrow2004IMDb rating 6.5as Vice President Becker
Eloise at Christmastime2003IMDb rating 7.0as Sir Wilkes
Eloise at the Plaza2003IMDb rating 6.6as Sir Wilkes
Ice Bound2003IMDb rating 6.1as Dr. Ben Murdoch
The Pentagon Papers2003IMDb rating 6.5as John McNaughon
The Case of the Whitechapel Vampire2002IMDb rating 6.0as Dr. Watson
Focus2001IMDb rating 6.7as Father Crighton
Haven2001IMDb rating 6.4as Harry Truman
The Day Reagan Was Shot2001IMDb rating 6.3as James Baker
The Hound of the Baskervilles2000IMDb rating 5.9as Dr. Watson
Vendetta1999IMDb rating 6.1as Mayor Joe Shakspeare
Absolute Power1997IMDb rating 6.7as Sandy Lord
Dead Silence1997IMDb rating 6.1as Sheriff Lenny Budd
The Wrong Guy1997IMDb rating 6.7as Mr. Nagel
Escape Clause1996IMDb rating 5.6as Owen Jessop
Hideaway1995IMDb rating 5.3as Detective Breech
Death Wish V: The Face of Death1994IMDb rating 4.9as Lt. Mickey King
Legends of the Fall1994IMDb rating 7.5as Sheriff Tynert
Timecop1994IMDb rating 6.0as Utley
Dieppe1993IMDb rating 6.5as Maj. Gen. Harry Crerar
Dead Ahead: The Exxon Valdez Disaster1992IMDb rating 6.5as Sam Skinner
The Big Slice1991IMDb rating 4.2as Lieutenant Bernard
The Freshman1990IMDb rating 6.5as Dwight Armstrong
The Last Best Year1990IMDb rating 6.6as Jerry
Physical Evidence1989IMDb rating 5.2as Harry Norton
The January Man1989IMDb rating 5.5as Roger Culver
Another Woman1988IMDb rating 7.2as Donald
The House on Carroll Street1988IMDb rating 6.2as Hackett
Heartburn1986IMDb rating 6.1as Dr. Appel
Perfect1985IMDb rating 4.8as Joe McKenzie
Falling in Love1984IMDb rating 6.5as Doctor
Of Unknown Origin1983IMDb rating 6.1as James Hall
Double Negative1980IMDb rating 3.9as Dr. Klifter
Phobia1980IMDb rating 4.3as Sergeant Wheeler

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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The Day After Tomorrow2004 Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thrilleras Vice President Becker
IMDb rating 6.5518K votes
The Exorcism of Emily Rose2005 Drama, Horror, Thrilleras Dr. Mueller
IMDb rating 6.7151K votes
Miracle2004as Doc Nagobads
IMDb rating 7.564K votes
Survival of the Dead2009as O'Flynn
IMDb rating 4.824K votes
The Void2016as Dr. Richard Powell
IMDb rating 5.948K votes
The Fog2005as Tom Malone
IMDb rating 3.742K votes
The Art of the Steal2013as 'Uncle' Paddy MacCarthy
IMDb rating 6.327K votes
Timecop1994as Utley
IMDb rating 6.071K votes

Most often with

Steven Kostanski directed two of these films, Kevin Lima two and Rodney Gibbons two. Colm Feore appears in four of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Colm Feore

Ian Holm

Maury Chaykin

Julian Richings

Frances Conroy

Martin RoachSteven KostanskiDirector, 2 films

Kevin LimaDirector, 2 films Rodney GibbonsDirector, 2 films

Films together

Colm Feore4 films together, 1997 to 2005
Colm Feore's page
- The Exorcism of Emily Rose2005IMDb rating 6.7Welsh as Dr. MuellerFeore as Karl Gunderson
- Haven2001IMDb rating 6.4Welsh as Harry TrumanFeore as Bruno
- The Day Reagan Was Shot2001IMDb rating 6.3Welsh as James BakerFeore as Cap Weinberger
- The Wrong Guy1997IMDb rating 6.7Welsh as Mr. NagelFeore as The Killer
Ian Holm3 films together, 1988 to 2004
Ian Holm's page
- The Aviator2004IMDb rating 7.5Welsh as Dr. HepburnHolm as Professor Fitz
- The Day After Tomorrow2004IMDb rating 6.5Welsh as Vice President BeckerHolm as Terry Rapson
- Another Woman1988IMDb rating 7.2Welsh as DonaldHolm as Ken
Maury Chaykin3 films together, 1980 to 2008
Maury Chaykin's page
- Adoration2008IMDb rating 6.3Welsh as MorrisChaykin as Passenger & Professor On-Line
- Of Unknown Origin1983IMDb rating 6.1Welsh as James HallChaykin as Dan Errol
- Double Negative1980IMDb rating 3.9Welsh as Dr. KlifterChaykin as Rollins
Julian Richings3 films together, 2003 to 2024
Julian Richings's page
- Campton Manor2024IMDb rating 3.4Welsh as LawrenceRichings as Edward
- Survival of the Dead2009IMDb rating 4.8Welsh as O'FlynnRichings as James
- Eloise at Christmastime2003IMDb rating 7.0Welsh as Sir WilkesRichings as Patrice
Frances Conroy3 films together, 1984 to 2004
Frances Conroy's page
- The Aviator2004IMDb rating 7.5Welsh as Dr. HepburnConroy as Mrs. Hepburn
- Another Woman1988IMDb rating 7.2Welsh as DonaldConroy as Lynn
- Falling in Love1984IMDb rating 6.5Welsh as DoctorConroy as Waitress
Martin Roach3 films together, 2003 to 2008
Martin Roach's page
- Adoration2008IMDb rating 6.3Welsh as MorrisRoach as Car Owner
- Kit Kittredge: An American Girl2008IMDb rating 6.5Welsh as Uncle HendrickRoach as Hobo Doctor
- The Pentagon Papers2003IMDb rating 6.5Welsh as John McNaughonRoach as Sgt. Watson
Steven KostanskiDirector, 2 films, 2016 to 2020
All films by Steven Kostanski
- PG: Psycho Goreman2020IMDb rating 6.3Welsh as Narrator & Judicatorvoice
- The Void2016IMDb rating 5.9Welsh as Dr. Richard Powell
Kevin LimaDirector, 2 films, 2003
All films by Kevin Lima
- Eloise at Christmastime2003IMDb rating 7.0Welsh as Sir Wilkes
- Eloise at the Plaza2003IMDb rating 6.6Welsh as Sir Wilkes
Rodney GibbonsDirector, 2 films, 2000 to 2002
All films by Rodney Gibbons
- The Case of the Whitechapel Vampire2002IMDb rating 6.0Welsh as Dr. Watson
- The Hound of the Baskervilles2000IMDb rating 5.9Welsh as Dr. Watson
Also three films together9 more actors
- Robert JoyHaven (2001), Death Wish V: The Face of Death (1994) and Dieppe (1993)
- Sheila McCarthyThe Middle Man (2021), The Day After Tomorrow (2004) and Haven (2001)
- Art HindleThe Void (2016), The Story of Luke (2012) and One Way (2006)
- Sean McCannMiracle (2004), The Pentagon Papers (2003) and The Day Reagan Was Shot (2001)
- Devon BostickThe Art of the Steal (2013), Survival of the Dead (2009) and Adoration (2008)
- Lawrence DaneUndercover Grandpa (2017), The Last Best Year (1990) and Of Unknown Origin (1983)
- Aidan DevineOur Fathers (2005), Ice Bound (2003) and Dieppe (1993)
- Ken JamesThe Day Reagan Was Shot (2001), Physical Evidence (1989) and Double Negative (1980)
- Victor A. YoungEloise at Christmastime (2003), Eloise at the Plaza (2003) and Escape Clause (1996)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.

Box office

What Kenneth Welsh's films earned in cinemas worldwide.

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Combined worldwide box office

$1.6 billion

26 of the 60 films have a worldwide figure.

26Worldwide figure
4US gross only
21Never in cinemas
9Figure not found

Top grosser

The Day After Tomorrow2004Vice President Becker$553 million

Highest grossing

The eight biggest films earned 88% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.

1
The Day After Tomorrow2004as Vice President Becker
$553M34.4% of the total
2
The Aviator2004as Dr. Hepburn
$214M13.3% of the total
3
Legends of the Fall1994as Sheriff Tynert
$161M10.0% of the total
4
The Exorcism of Emily Rose2005as Dr. Mueller
$145M9.0% of the total
5
Timecop1994as Utley
$129M8.0% of the total
6
Four Brothers2005as Robert Bradford
$92M5.7% of the total
7
Miracle2004as Doc Nagobads
$64M4.0% of the total
8
Heartburn1986as Dr. Appel
$53M3.3% of the total