James Thomas Patrick "J. T." Walsh (September 28, 1943 – February 27, 1998) was an American actor. He appeared in many well known films, including
Nixon,
Hoffa,
A Few Good Men,
Backdraft,
Miracle on 34th Street,
Outbreak,
Sling Blade,
Breakdown,
Pleasantville,
The Negotiator, and
Good Morning, Vietnam. According to
Leonard Maltin, he was known for portraying "quietly sinister white-collar sleazeballs" in numerous films, and was described as "everybody's favorite scumbag" by
Playboy magazine.