# Jonathan Welsh

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

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1976 | Second Wind | Simon |
| 1977 | Starship Invasions | Missile Officer |
| 1979 | City on Fire | Herman Stover |
| 1980 | Agency | Detective Ross |
| 1980 | Nothing Personal | Critchett Jr. |
| 1983 | All in Good Taste | Timothy |
| 1984 | The Surrogate | Brenner |
| 1988 | Switching Channels | Chaplain |
| 1990 | Thick as Thieves | John Sphincter |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1972 | Dr. Simon Locke | Sam Dawes | Episode: "The Assassin" |
| 1974 | The National Dream | A. B. Rogers | Episode: "The Sea of Mountains" |
| 1975 | King of Kensington | Technician | Episode: "Hot Line Host" |
| 1976 | Peep Show | Donald | Episode: "The Victim" |
| 1976, 1977 | Sidestreet | Glen Olsen | 3 episodes |
| 1980 | The Great Detective | Henry Mason | Episode: "Spirit Guide" |
| 1980 | A Population of One | Harry | Television film |
| 1980–1982 | The Littlest Hobo | Various roles | 4 episodes |
| 1981 | Escape from Iran: The Canadian Caper | Michael Howland | Television film |
| 1985 | The Edison Twins | Coach Neilson | Episode: "Mind and Body" |
| 1986 | Night Heat | Kelly | Episode: "Brotherhood" |
| 1986 | Mafia Princess | Dr. Towers | Television film |
| 1986 | Hangin' In | Chunky | Episode: "I Can't Help You But My Sister Can" |
| 1986 | The Magical World of Disney | Jerry | Episode: "Young Again" |
| 1986 | Danger Bay | Ned Kane | Episode: "Deep Peril" |
| 1986 | Unnatural Causes | Dr. Lester | Television film |
| 1986–1988 | Adderly | Melville Greenspan | 44 episodes |
| 1987 | Street Legal | Immerman | Episode: "A Little Knowledge" |
| 1988 | T. and T. | Sloan | Episode: "Mickey's Choice" |
| 1989 | War of the Worlds | Jack Sawyer | Episode: "So Shall Ye Reap" |
| 1989 | Starting from Scratch | Jack Grady | Episode: "Me, the Jury" |
| 1989–1994 | E.N.G. | | |
| 1990 | Hitler's Daughter | Zimmerman | Television film |
| 1990 | Dracula: The Series | Arthur Bauer | Episode: "The Vampire Solution" |
| 1990 | In Defense of a Married Man | D.A. Papernow | Television film |
| 1990 | Maniac Mansion | Agent Bower | Episode: "National Security Risk" |
| 1992 | The Great Diamond Robbery | Littlefield | Television film |
| 1993 | Secret Service | Hart | Episode: "Lone-Star Sting/The White Guard" |
| 1993 | Kung Fu: The Legend Continues | Bob Chandler | Episode: "Straitjacket" |
| 1993 | The Hidden Room | Professor | Episode: "Transfigured Night" |
| 1994 | Spenser: The Judas Goat | Felix | Television film |
| 1994 | Janek: The Silent Betrayal | Garrett | Television film |
| 1996 | F/X: The Series | Tasker | Episode: "Eye of the Dragon" |
| 1998 | Goosebumps | Mr. Lantz | Episode: "Awesome Ants" |
| 1998 | A Father for Brittany | Robert Lussier | Television film |
| 1999 | Total Recall 2070 | Harry | 2 episodes |
| 1999 | Psi Factor | Gavin Richter | Episode: "The Observer Effect" |
| 1999 | Milgaard | Calvin Tallis | Television film |
| 1999 | If You Believe | Dylan Lewis | Television film |
| 2000 | The Wonderful World of Disney | Park Policeman | Episode: "Santa Who?" |
| 2002 | Earth: Final Conflict | Prof. Simon Ruttledge | Episode: "Legacy" |