JT Walsh: The Truth About Acting in Nixon, A Few Good Men & Backdraft | Rare Interview

Character actor JT Walsh sits down with Dini Petty to discuss his role as John Ehrlichman in Oliver Stone's Nixon, plus unforgettable performances in A Few Good Men, The Grifters, Backdraft, and Good Morning Vietnam. In this candid 1995 interview, Walsh reveals his approach to playing real people, shares behind-the-scenes stories from over 40 films, and explains the surprising technique behind his shocking suicide scene in A Few Good Men.

Walsh opens up about the challenges of character acting in Hollywood, discusses the difference between studio movies and independent films, and reveals which of his 41+ films he's most proud of. He talks candidly about playing John Ehrlichman in Nixon, shares insights on working with Oliver Stone, and explains why some great actors end up in disappointing films. This rare Canadian television appearance captures one of Hollywood's most reliable character actors at the height of his career, just before his untimely passing in 1998.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Introduction: JT Walsh's Hollywood career highlights
0:30 - Opening clip from Nixon (Oliver Stone film)
1:27 - Weight and hair transformations for film roles
2:14 - The suicide scene in A Few Good Men: Acting technique revealed
3:20 - Robert Mitchum's "No Acting Required" philosophy
4:10 - Playing real people: The challenge of portraying John Ehrlichman
5:45 - Meeting the real person you're playing on screen
7:30 - The collaborative process: Working with directors and writers
9:15 - Stage vs. film acting: Why film is more unpredictable
10:45 - How actors become journalists when researching roles
12:00 - The long wait: Six months from filming to seeing the final cut
13:30 - The director's cut vs. studio interference
14:25 - When good actors end up in bad movies: The truth about Hollywood
15:15 - Backdraft revelation: The film that became a Universal Studios ride
15:45 - JT's proudest films: The Grifters, Needful Things, Good Morning Vietnam
16:40 - The origin of "JT" instead of James Patrick Walsh

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