Kenneth Clifford Welsh, CM (March 30, 1942 – May 5, 2022)[2][3] was a Canadian actor,[4] who made over 300 stage, film, and television appearances over a nearly 60-year career.
Welsh also wrote the book for Standup Shakespeare, a cabaret musical that sets Shakespearean dialogue to contemporary jazz, baroque, samba and gospel-rock music.[11]
Reno and the Doc was 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.[17]
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, the real-life vice-president at the time. 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 George W. Bush administration.[19]
Welsh married Lynne Mcilvride in March 2022.[23] He had a son, musician Devon Welsh (b. 1988), from his previous marriage.[24][25]
Welsh was baptized by Anglican priest Rev. RuthAnne Ward in his house in the last months of his life. He was also a follower of American spiritual teacher Adi Da, who primarily focused on prioritizing spiritual enlightenment, Welsh narrated Da's 2000 audiobook, "What, Where, When, How, Why, and Who to Remember to Be Happy".[26]
Death
Welsh died on May 5, 2022, at the age of 80, from cancer.[27] His son Devon announced on Twitter: "My dad passed away on Thursday peacefully at home. I will always love him beyond words. He lived a wonderful life, he was the best father I could have asked for, and he touched so many lives. Please make a toast, watch a film/TV show he was in, celebrate a giant of acting."[28]
Upon his death, the official ACTRATwitter account eulogized him saying "Ken was one of Canada’s all-time great performers, with hundreds of memorable roles spanning decades."[29]
His ashes were scattered in Lake Ontario following cremation.
^ abc"Versatile actor Kenneth Welsh went from Shakespeare to Twin Peaks: Kenneth Welsh worked for seven years at Stratford and played hundreds of theatre roles but found broader fame with his many memorable appearances in film and television" by Fred Langan, The Globe and Mail (20 May, 2022) Retrieved from ProQuest2667000775
^"What, Where, When, How, Why, and Who to Remember to Be Happy". The Utne Reader (103–108): 98. 2000. Retrieved April 10, 2017. In this CD, Avatar Adi Da tells children exactly what to do every day to remember, feel, and breathe everlasting happiness. Narrated by award-winning actor Kenneth Welsh (Legends of the Fall, Perfectly Normal), with music by acclaimed composer Ray Lynch. Listen to this magical CD and be transported into the feeling of the Mystery!
Canadian Film Awards 1968-1978, Genie Awards 1980-2011, Canadian Screen Awards 2012-present. Separate awards were presented by gender prior to 2022; ungendered awards for best performance regardless have been presented since.
