Jonathan Welsh (April 3, 1947 – January 27, 2005) was a Canadian actor of stage, television and film, best known for his principal roles in Canadian television series, notably the 1986–1989 adventure comedy Adderly and the 1989–1994 journalism drama E.N.G..
Career On E.N.G., Welsh portrayed Eric "Mac" MacFarlane, one of the first openly gay characters in North American series television, a source of considerable pride for the actor.
He also appeared in the 1979 movie City on Fire which was Canada's attempt to enter the disaster movie era. The movie was a critical and box office failure. His other film credits included roles in Agency (1980), Nothing Personal (1980), All in Good Taste (1983) and The Surrogate (1984).
His acting career began in theatre in the 1960s, with roles at the Shaw and Stratford festivals and in the 1969 Canadian debut of Hair at the Royal Alexandra Theatre.
In 1990, Welsh founded Performers for Literacy, an acclaimed national charity that encourages children to read with interactive shows and readings, and with Second Story Reading Centres in Toronto and Edmonton.
Personal life Toward the end of his life, he moved from Toronto to Belleville, Ontario, where he died in his sleep after a short illness. He was survived by his wife Heather and three children, Hilary, Owen and Julia.
Filmography
Film +YearTitleRoleNotes1976Second WindSimon1977Starship InvasionsMissile Officer1979City on FireHerman Stover1980AgencyDetective Ross1980Nothing PersonalCritchett Jr.1983All in Good TasteTimothy1984 The SurrogateBrenner1988Switching ChannelsChaplain1990Thick as ThievesJohn Sphincter
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1972Dr. Simon LockeSam DawesEpisode: "The Assassin"1974 The National DreamA. B. RogersEpisode: "The Sea of Mountains"1975King of KensingtonTechnicianEpisode: "Hot Line Host"1976Peep ShowDonaldEpisode: "The Victim"1976, 1977SidestreetGlen Olsen3 episodes1980 The Great DetectiveHenry MasonEpisode: "Spirit Guide"1980 A Population of OneHarryTelevision film1980–1982 The Littlest HoboVarious roles4 episodes1981Escape from Iran: The Canadian CaperMichael HowlandTelevision film1985 The Edison TwinsCoach NeilsonEpisode: "Mind and Body"1986Night HeatKellyEpisode: "Brotherhood"1986Mafia PrincessDr. TowersTelevision film1986Hangin' InChunkyEpisode: "I Can't Help You But My Sister Can"1986 The Magical World of DisneyJerryEpisode: "Young Again"1986Danger BayNed KaneEpisode: "Deep Peril"1986Unnatural CausesDr. LesterTelevision film1986–1988AdderlyMelville Greenspan44 episodes1987Street LegalImmermanEpisode: "A Little Knowledge"1988T. and T.SloanEpisode: "Mickey's Choice"1989War of the WorldsJack SawyerEpisode: "So Shall Ye Reap"1989Starting from ScratchJack GradyEpisode: "Me, the Jury"1989–1994E.N.G.1990Hitler's DaughterZimmermanTelevision film1990Dracula: The SeriesArthur BauerEpisode: "The Vampire Solution"1990In Defense of a Married ManD.A. PapernowTelevision film1990Maniac MansionAgent BowerEpisode: "National Security Risk"1992 The Great Diamond RobberyLittlefieldTelevision film1993Secret ServiceHartEpisode: "Lone-Star Sting/The White Guard"1993Kung Fu: The Legend ContinuesBob ChandlerEpisode: "Straitjacket"1993 The Hidden RoomProfessorEpisode: "Transfigured Night"1994Spenser: The Judas GoatFelixTelevision film1994Janek: The Silent BetrayalGarrett1996F/X: The SeriesTaskerEpisode: "Eye of the Dragon"1998GoosebumpsMr. LantzEpisode: "Awesome Ants"1998 A Father for BrittanyRobert LussierTelevision film1999Total Recall 2070Harry2 episodes1999Psi FactorGavin RichterEpisode: "The Observer Effect"1999MilgaardCalvin TallisTelevision film1999If You BelieveDylan Lewis2000 The Wonderful World of DisneyPark PolicemanEpisode: "Santa Who?"2002Earth: Final ConflictProf. Simon RuttledgeEpisode: "Legacy"
References
External links
Performers for Literacy