Jonathan Welsh (April 3, 1947–January 27, 2005) was a veteran 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.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.Born in St. Catharines, Ontario, 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.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.
Started his acting career at the Shaw and Stratford festivals in Ontario in the 1960s and got his big break in the 1969 production of the musical, Hair, at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Earth: Final Conflict
2002
TV Series
Prof. Simon Ruttledge
The Wonderful World of Disney
2000
TV Series
Park Policeman
If You Believe
1999
TV Movie
Dylan Lewis
Hard Time: The David Milgaard Story
1999
TV Movie
Calvin Tallis
PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal
1999
TV Series
Gavin Richter
Total Recall 2070
1999
TV Series
Harry
A Father for Brittany
1998
TV Movie
Robert Lussier
Goosebumps
1998
TV Series
Mr. Lantz
F/X: The Series
1996
TV Series
Tasker
Young Again
1995
Jerry
Janek: The Silent Betrayal
1994
TV Movie
Garrett
Spenser: The Judas Goat
1994
TV Movie
Felix
E.N.G.
1989-1994
TV Series
Eric MacFarlane
The Hidden Room
1993
TV Series
Professor
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues
1993
TV Series
Bob Chandler
The Diamond Fleece
1992
TV Movie
Littlefield
Thick as Thieves
1991
John Sphincter
Maniac Mansion
1990
TV Series
Agent Bower
In Defense of a Married Man
1990
TV Movie
D.A. Papernow
Dracula: The Series
1990
TV Series
Arthur Bauer
Hitler's Daughter
1990
TV Movie
Zimmerman
Starting from Scratch
1989
TV Series
Jack Grady
War of the Worlds
1989
TV Series
Jack Sawyer
T and T
1988
TV Series
Sloan
Switching Channels
1988
Chaplain
Diamonds
1988
TV Series
Adderly
1986-1987
TV Series
Melville Greenspan
Street Legal
1987
TV Series
Immerman
Unnatural Causes
1986
TV Movie
Dr. Lester
Danger Bay
1986
TV Series
Ned Kane
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color
1986
TV Series
Jerry
Hangin' In
1986
TV Series
Chunky
Mafia Princess
1986
TV Movie
Dr. Towers
Night Heat
1986
TV Series
Kelly
Canada's Sweetheart: The Saga of Hal C. Banks
1985
The Edison Twins
1985
TV Series
Coach Neilson
The Surrogate
1984
Brenner
All in Good Taste
1983
Timothy
The Littlest Hobo
1980-1982
TV Series
Stan / George / Juvenile Corrections Officer
Escape from Iran: The Canadian Caper
1981
TV Movie
Michael Howland
Nothing Personal
1980
Critchett Jr.
Agency
1980
Detective Ross
The Great Detective
1980
TV Series
Henry Mason
City on Fire
1979
Herman Stover
Sidestreet
1976-1977
TV Series
Sgt Glen Olsen / Glenn Olsen
Starship Invasions
1977
Missile Officer
Second Wind
1976
Simon
Peep Show
1976
TV Series
Donald
King of Kensington
1975
TV Series
Technician
The National Dream: Building the Impossible Railway