M. Emmet Walsh — the actor known for his character work in popular films like “The Jerk,” “Blade Runner” and “Blood Simple” — has passed away.

He was 88.

Variety reports his manager Sandy Joseph confirmed that Walsh died Tuesday in Vermont.

Born in Ogdensburg, New York, Walsh attended his home state’s Clarkson University in Potsdam.

His big screen work began in 1969 with uncredited appearances in Arthur Penn’s “Alice’s Restaurant” and John Schlesinger’s Academy Award-winning drama “Midnight Cowboy.”

During the 1970s, Walsh would also appear in notable films like “Little Big Man” (1971), “Escape from the Planet of the Apes” (1971), “What’s Up, Doc?” (1972), “Serpico” (1973) and “The Gambler” (1974). He portrayed hockey journalist Dickie Dunn in the profane sports comedy “Slap Shot,” sharing several scenes with Paul Newman. He would also co-star in the 1979 comedy “The Jerk,” in which he played the “Madman” stalking and attempting to kill Steve Martin’s title character.

Walsh’s star grew during the ‘80s with notable character work in Ridley Scott’s 1982 sci-fi film “Blade Runner” co-starring Harrison Ford, 1983′s “Silkwood” co-starring Meryl Streep and Cher, and 1985′s “Fletch” co-starring Chevy Chase.

Perhaps his most celebrated role came in 1984, when writer/directors Joel and Ethan Coen made their feature film debut with the modern film noir “Blood Simple,” in which he played dangerous private detective Loren Visser. Walsh would win the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead.

He would continue to work on the big and small screens in films like “Raising Arizona,” “The Mighty Quinn,” “Camp Nowhere,” “A Time to Kill,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” “The Iron Giant,” “Snow Dogs” and “Knives Out.”

His television credits include “Bonanza,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” “The Waltons,” “Starsky and Hutch,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “Amazing Stories,” “The Outer Limits,” “The X-Files,” NYPD Blue,” “Army Wives” and “The Righteous Gemstones.”