Keith Walker (writer) explained

Keith Walker (June 29, 1935 — December 30, 1996) was an American writer, producer, and actor. He co-wrote the screenplay for the film Free Willy, and wrote for television series including The Fall Guy, Emergency!, Quincy, M.E. and M*A*S*H." He wrote 26 episodes of the Rod Serling hosted radio show The Zero Hour, all of them coming in the second, and final, season of the show. He appeared as an actor on television shows Mannix, The Rookies, Mission: Impossible, and Fantasy Island. Walker had a memorable role as Irving Walsh in the film The Goonies. He was married to actress Peggy Walton-Walker.[1]

Following brief treatment for cancer, Keith Walker died in Franklin, Tennessee at the age of 61 in late 1996. The third Free Willy film, , was dedicated to his memory.

Filmography

Film

Acting credits

YearTitleRoleNotes
1973Time to Run
1974Earthquake Radio Voice Uncredited
1977Age of Innocence Soldier Uncredited
1978Till Death Dr. Perkins
1984Future Schlock Sgt. Tatts
1985The Goonies Mr. Walsh Final role

Screenwriting credits

Television

Acting credits

YearTitleRoleNotes
1968It Takes a Thief 1st Man Episode: "Get Me to the Revolution on Time"
1969–71Ironside Arthur Nadeliano / Reporter 2 episodes
1970–73Mannix Newcaster / Announcer / Smith / Barney 5 episodes
1970Nancy Began Episode: "The Smallest Diamond in the World"
1971The Young Lawyers Reporter / Reporter #1 & #2 2 episodes
The F.B.I. Newscaster Episode: "Three-Way Split"
1972Longstreet Reporter Episode: "Field of Honor"
1973The Affair First Man Television film
1974–75 TV Reporter / 1st Reporter 2 episodes + 1 uncredited
1974Police Story Policeman Episode: "Requiem for C.Z. Smith"
The Law Dwight Healy Television film
The Rookies Paul Episode: "Blue Christmas"
1975The Missing Are Deadly News Announcer Television film
S.W.A.T. T.V. Announcer Episode: "The Killing Ground"
Barbary Coast Upstairs Guard Episode: "An Iron-Clad Plan"
The Blue Knight Wright Episode: "Two to Make Deadly"
Bronk Randell Episode: "There's Gonna Be War"
1976Black Sheep Squadron Naval Officer Episode: "Prisoners of War"
Spencer's Pilots Doctor Episode: "The Hitchhiker"
1978Quincy M.E. Newsman as Keith A. Walker; Episode: "Gone But Not Forgotten"
1982Bret Maverick Holson Episode: "The Ballad of Bret Maverick"
Fantasy Island Second Episode: "The Ghost's Story/The Spoilers"
1985 Double Dare Episode: "Hong Kong King Con"
Malice in Wonderland Albert as Keith A. Walker; Television film
The A-Team Dr. Craig 2 episodes
1987Our House Episode: "Giving 'em the Business"

Screenwriting credits

YearTitleNotes
1973M*A*S*H Episode: "5 O'Clock Charlie"; Story & Teleplay
1975Emergency! as Keith A. Walker; Episode: "To Buy or Not to Buy"
1977The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries Episode: "The Secret of the Whispering Walls"; Story & Teleplay
1984The Fall Guy as Keith A. Walker; Episode: "Dead Bounty"; Story & Teleplay

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Keith A. Walker. Variety Staff. January 12, 1997 . Variety.