Kenneth Welsh, CM (March 30, 1942 – May 5, 2022) was a Canadian film and television actor (sometimes credited as Ken Welsh). He was known to Twin Peaks fans as the multi-faceted villain Windom Earle, and had more recently played the father of Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett) in Martin Scorsese's The Aviator.
Kenneth Welsh, CM (March 30, 1942 – May 5, 2022) was a Canadian film and television actor (sometimes credited as Ken Welsh). He was known to Twin Peaks fans as the multi-faceted villain Windom Earle, and had more recently played the father of Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett) in Martin Scorsese's The Aviator.
In 1984 he was nominated for a Genie Award as Best Actor for his portrayal of Reno Colt in the film "Reno and the Doc", written and directed by Charles Dennis. In 1997 Welsh directed Dennis in the latter's play "SoHo Duo" at the West Bank Theatre in New York City.
Welsh was born in Edmonton, Alberta to a father who worked for the Canadian National Railway. He grew up in Alberta and studied drama at school. He later moved to Montreal and attended the National Theatre School. Following graduation, he auditioned for the Stratford Festival in Ontario and then spent the first seven years of his career on stage.
Welsh has portrayed historical figures including Thomas E. Dewey, Colin Thatcher, Harry S. Truman (twice), Thomas Edison, James "Scotty" Reston, General Harry Crerar and James Baker.
He has made guest appearances on the acclaimed TV series Due South and Slings and Arrows.
In 2003, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada.
His role as the Vice-President of the United States in the 2004 environmental disaster film The Day After Tomorrow sparked some controversy due to his physical resemblance to Dick Cheney, who at the time was the real Vice President. Director Roland Emmerich later confirmed that he deliberately chose Welsh for that very reason. Emmerich stated that the character of the Vice-President in the film was intended to be a not-so-subtle criticism of the environmental policies of the Presidency of George W. Bush.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Kenneth Welsh, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
External links
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/nm0920564
Wikipedia: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q918404
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Filmography (Movies)
Afterwards
Character:Garen
Release Date:23/10/2025
Campton Manor
Character:Lawrence
Release Date:07/05/2024
Midnight at the Paradise
Character:Max
Release Date:03/12/2022
The Middle Man
Character:Mr. Miller
Release Date:17/09/2021
PG: Psycho Goreman
Character:Narrator & Judicator (voice)
Release Date:29/10/2020
And the Birds Rained Down
Character:Boychuck
Release Date:13/09/2019
Undercover Grandpa
Character:Harry
Release Date:07/07/2017
Awakening the Zodiac
Character:Ben
Release Date:09/06/2017
Chicanery
Character:Pringle Hewitt
Release Date:29/04/2017
A Nutcracker Christmas
Character:Dimitri
Release Date:10/12/2016
The Void
Character:Dr. Richard Powell
Release Date:22/09/2016
The Ballad of Immortal Joe
Character:
Release Date:10/09/2015
Wet Bum
Character:Ed
Release Date:07/09/2014
The Art of the Steal
Character:'Uncle' Paddy MacCarthy
Release Date:20/09/2013
Rewind
Character:President
Release Date:26/08/2013
The Story of Luke
Character:Jonas
Release Date:05/04/2013
Cottage Country
Character:Earl
Release Date:13/03/2013
The Riverbank
Character:Joe Mason
Release Date:06/05/2012
Survival of the Dead
Character:Patrick O'Flynn
Release Date:06/05/2010
Grey Gardens
Character:Max Gordon
Release Date:21/06/2009
Adoration
Character:Morris
Release Date:15/04/2009
A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride
Character:Jack
Release Date:15/12/2008
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
Character:Uncle Hendrick
Release Date:02/07/2008
Secrets from Another Place: Creating Twin Peaks
Character:
Release Date:30/10/2007
Silk
Character:Mayor Joncour
Release Date:14/09/2007
Hamlet {Solo}
Character:Self
Release Date:13/09/2007
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Character:Dr. Jeff Wagner
Release Date:13/06/2007
Above and Beyond
Character:
Release Date:29/10/2006
One Way
Character:William Henderson
Release Date:21/10/2006
The Covenant
Character:Provost Higgins
Release Date:07/09/2006
The Snow Queen
Character:King
Release Date:24/12/2005
Category 7: The End of the World
Character:Alan Horst
Release Date:06/11/2005
The Fog
Character:Tom Malone
Release Date:14/10/2005
The Exorcism of Emily Rose
Character:Dr. Mueller
Release Date:09/09/2005
The Murdoch Mysteries: Under the Dragon's Tail
Character:Inspector Ramsgate
Release Date:08/09/2005
Karol: A Man Who Became Pope
Character:professor Wójcik
Release Date:15/08/2005
Four Brothers
Character:Robert Bradford
Release Date:11/08/2005
Bailey's Billion$
Character:Mouse Delaney
Release Date:05/08/2005
Our Fathers
Character:Bishop Murphy
Release Date:11/05/2005
The Aviator
Character:Dr. Hepburn
Release Date:17/12/2004
The Day After Tomorrow
Character:Vice President Becker
Release Date:26/05/2004
The Wild Guys
Character:Andy
Release Date:13/05/2004
Miracle
Character:Doc Nagobads
Release Date:06/02/2004
Eloise at Christmastime
Character:Sir Wilkes
Release Date:22/11/2003
Eloise at the Plaza
Character:Sir Wilkes
Release Date:27/04/2003
The Pentagon Papers
Character:John McNaughon
Release Date:09/03/2003
The Man Who Saved Christmas
Character:Newton Baker
Release Date:15/12/2002
The Case of the Whitechapel Vampire
Character:Dr. Watson
Release Date:27/10/2002
Matthew Blackheart: Monster Smasher
Character:Dr. James Franken
Release Date:19/02/2002
The Day Reagan Was Shot
Character:James Baker
Release Date:09/12/2001
The Royal Scandal
Character:Dr. Watson
Release Date:19/10/2001
Focus
Character:Father Crighton
Release Date:19/10/2001
The Sign of Four
Character:Dr. Watson
Release Date:01/03/2001
Sanctuary
Character:Sam Hathaway
Release Date:28/02/2001
Haven
Character:Harry Truman
Release Date:11/02/2001
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Character:Dr. Watson
Release Date:28/10/2000
Cold Blooded
Character:Chief Inspector Brodsky
Release Date:17/10/2000
Witchblade
Character:Joe Siri
Release Date:27/08/2000
Deliberate Intent
Character:Peder Lund
Release Date:06/08/2000
Love Come Down
Character:Ira Rosen
Release Date:02/08/2000
Who Killed Atlanta's Children?
Character:William Kunstler
Release Date:16/07/2000
Love and Murder
Character:Isaak Levin
Release Date:16/04/2000
Vendetta
Character:Mayor Joe Shakspeare
Release Date:12/09/1999
G-Saviour
Character:General Garneaux
Release Date:18/06/1999
Mind Prey
Character:Tower Manette
Release Date:22/03/1999
Scandalous Me: The Jacqueline Susann Story
Character:
Release Date:09/12/1998
Dead Husbands
Character:Chase Woodward
Release Date:02/12/1998
Edison : The Wizard of Light
Character:Thomas Edison
Release Date:12/10/1998
Thanks of a Grateful Nation
Character:Sen. Shelby
Release Date:31/05/1998
Thunder Point
Character:Armstrong
Release Date:30/05/1998
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Character:Caz Hollowitz
Release Date:01/02/1998
Joe Torre: Curveballs Along the Way
Character:George Steinbrenner
Release Date:17/10/1997
Dead Silence
Character:Sheriff Lenny Budd
Release Date:22/09/1997
The Wrong Guy
Character:Mr. Nagel
Release Date:01/08/1997
Habitat
Character:Coach Marlowe
Release Date:06/05/1997
Absolute Power
Character:Sandy Lord
Release Date:14/02/1997
Escape Clause
Character:Owen Jessop
Release Date:14/07/1996
Portraits of a Killer
Character:Jim Miller
Release Date:21/05/1996
Rowing Through
Character:Harry Parker
Release Date:01/01/1996
The Conspiracy of Fear
Character:Captain Rose
Release Date:01/01/1996
Turning April
Character:Father
Release Date:01/01/1996
Kissinger and Nixon
Character:James 'Scotty' Reston
Release Date:10/12/1995
Margaret's Museum
Character:Angus MacNeil
Release Date:13/09/1995
Hiroshima
Character:President Harry S Truman
Release Date:05/08/1995
Dancing In The Dark
Character:Dr. Bel
Release Date:05/07/1995
Vanished
Character:Bill Palmer
Release Date:02/04/1995
Choices of the Heart: The Margaret Sanger Story
Character:Mr. Higgins
Release Date:08/03/1995
Hideaway
Character:Detective Breech
Release Date:03/03/1995
Legends of the Fall
Character:Sheriff Tynert
Release Date:23/12/1994
Whale Music
Character:Kenneth Sexstone
Release Date:03/11/1994
Boozecan
Character:Tim
Release Date:22/10/1994
Another Woman
Character:Dr. Kenneth Holcross
Release Date:02/10/1994
Timecop
Character:Utley
Release Date:15/09/1994
And Then There Was One
Character:David Burns
Release Date:04/08/1994
Getting Gotti
Character:Bennett
Release Date:10/05/1994
Death Wish V: The Face of Death
Character:Lt. Mickey King
Release Date:14/01/1994
Dieppe
Character:Maj. Gen. Harry Crerar
Release Date:30/12/1993
Bye Bye Love
Character:David
Release Date:25/07/1993
Woman on Trial: The Lawrencia Bembenek Story
Character:Don Eisenberg
Release Date:16/05/1993
Adrift
Character:Guy Nast
Release Date:13/04/1993
Bonds of Love
Character:Judge
Release Date:24/01/1993
The Great Dinosaur Hunt
Character:Narrator
Release Date:01/01/1993
The Good Fight
Character:Dick Chandler
Release Date:15/12/1992
A Mother's Right: The Elizabeth Morgan Story
Character:Paul Michel
Release Date:29/11/1992
Dead Ahead: The Exxon Valdez Disaster
Character:Sam Skinner - Presidential Delegation
Release Date:13/09/1992
Deadly Betrayal: The Bruce Curtis Story
Character:Michael Schottland
Release Date:02/02/1992
Christmas on Division Street
Character:David Atwood
Release Date:15/12/1991
Grand Larceny
Character:Virgil Klovitz
Release Date:08/12/1991
The Big Slice
Character:Lieutenant Bernard
Release Date:07/07/1991
Perfectly Normal
Character:Charlie Glesby
Release Date:12/04/1991
The Widowmaker
Character:Atkinson
Release Date:29/12/1990
The Last Best Year
Character:Jerry
Release Date:04/11/1990
Murder Times Seven
Character:Nick Ruggieri
Release Date:14/10/1990
The Freshman
Character:Dwight Armstrong
Release Date:20/07/1990
Murder in Black and White
Character:Ruggieri
Release Date:07/01/1990
Christmas in America
Character:Harry Morgan
Release Date:13/12/1989
Straight Line
Character:Dr. Hammel
Release Date:01/12/1989
Love & Hate: The Story of Colin and Joanne Thatcher
Character:Colin Thatcher
Release Date:30/11/1989
Dick Francis: Blood Sport
Character:
Release Date:24/10/1989
Champagne Charlie
Character:John Whistlow
Release Date:12/04/1989
Physical Evidence
Character:Harry Norton
Release Date:27/01/1989
The January Man
Character:Roger Culver
Release Date:13/01/1989
Another Woman
Character:Donald
Release Date:13/10/1988
Liberace: Behind the Music
Character:
Release Date:08/10/1988
Crocodile Dundee II
Character:Brannigan
Release Date:19/05/1988
The House on Carroll Street
Character:Hackett
Release Date:04/03/1988
Loyalties
Character:David Sutton
Release Date:20/11/1987
A Stranger Waits
Character:Richard Miller
Release Date:29/03/1987
Radio Days
Character:Radio Voice (voice)
Release Date:30/01/1987
And Then You Die
Character:Eddie Griffin
Release Date:01/01/1987
Heartburn
Character:Dr. Appel
Release Date:25/07/1986
Lost!
Character:
Release Date:01/05/1986
Loose Ends
Character:Elder Seth
Release Date:05/03/1986
The Climb
Character:Walter Frauenberger
Release Date:01/01/1986
Murder Sees the Light
Character:Patten
Release Date:01/01/1986
Perfect
Character:Joe McKenzie
Release Date:15/05/1985
The War Boy
Character:Stephan Berecky
Release Date:01/01/1985
Falling in Love
Character:Doctor
Release Date:21/11/1984
Piaf
Character:Police Inspector / Georges / Physiotherapist
Release Date:10/06/1984
Covergirl
Character:Harrison
Release Date:13/01/1984
Reno and the Doc
Character:Reno
Release Date:01/01/1984
Of Unknown Origin
Character:James Hall
Release Date:23/11/1983
Tell Me That You Love Me
Character:David
Release Date:02/08/1983
No More Hibakusha!
Character:(voice)
Release Date:09/02/1983
Gary Carter Visits Japan
Character:Narrator
Release Date:01/01/1983
Hot Money
Character:Parker
Release Date:01/01/1983
Phobia
Character:Sergeant Wheeler
Release Date:09/09/1980
F.D.R.: The Last Year
Character:Thomas E. Dewey
Release Date:15/05/1980
Double Negative
Character:Dr. Klifter
Release Date:12/05/1980
Riel
Character:McWilliams
Release Date:11/04/1979
The School for Scandal
Character:Charles Surface
Release Date:02/04/1975
Piaf
Character:
Release Date:10/04/1974
Television Appearances
Lodge 49
Character:
Star Trek: Discovery
Character:Senna Tal (voice)
Star Trek: Discovery
Character:Senna Tal
The Expanse
Character:Franklin Degraaf
The Best Laid Plans
Character:Angus McLintock
The Blacklist
Character:Werner von Hauser
XIII: The Series
Character:Dr. Westlund
Haven
Character:Cole Glendower
Human Target
Character:Tony Belvilacqua
The Listener
Character:Albert Jacoby
The Last Templar
Character:Bill Vance
The Trojan Horse
Character:Randall Spear
Bionic Woman
Character:Prof. Howard Samuels
Above and Beyond
Character:Lord Beaverbrook
Karol: A Man Who Became Pope
Character:Professor Wójcik
Tilt
Character:Seymour Annisman
H2O
Character:Randall Spear
ReGenesis
Character:Shelby Sloane
Stargate Atlantis
Character:Jamus
This Is Wonderland
Character:
Smallville
Character:Drunk Santa
The Guardian
Character:
Witchblade
Character:
Sherlock Holmes
Character:Dr. Watson
Soul Food
Character:Dr. Jackson Pruit
Eerie, Indiana: The Other Dimension
Character:
Twitch City
Character:Mr. Surdjic
The Third Twin
Character:Preston Barck
The Hunger
Character:Hugo Lawery
The Practice
Character:Judge M. Harrod
Dead Man's Gun
Character:Dean Marley
Hiroshima
Character:President Harry S. Truman
The Outer Limits
Character:Dr. Vasquez
Due South
Character:Randal K. Bolt
Due South
Character:Cyrus Bolt
The X-Files
Character:Simon Gates
Woman on the Run: The Lawrencia Bembenek Story
Character:Don Eisenberg
Cruel Doubt
Character:Attorney Wade Smith
Love, Lies and Murder
Character:Stanfield
Law & Order
Character:Ben O'Dell
Twin Peaks
Character:Windom Earle
The Murder of Mary Phagan
Character:Luther Rosser
The Twilight Zone
Character:
The Ray Bradbury Theater
Character:Crane
The Ray Bradbury Theater
Character:Captain Wilder
Empire, Inc.
Character:
For The Record
Character:Premier Lougheed
For The Record
Character:Dipsi Doolan
For The Record
Character:
Great Performances
Character:Charles Surface
Images
