Claim: A Few Good Men stars a man.

James Thomas Patrick `` J. T. '' Walsh -LRB- September 28 , 1943 -- February 27 , 1998 -RRB- was an American actor . He appeared in many well-known films , including Nixon , Hoffa , A Few Good Men , The Grifters , Backdraft , Miracle on 34th Street , Outbreak , Sling Blade , Breakdown , Pleasantville , The Negotiator , and Good Morning , Vietnam . According to Leonard Maltin , he was known for portraying `` quietly sinister white-collar sleazeballs '' in numerous films , and was described as `` everybody 's favorite scumbag '' by Playboy magazine .