John Walsh

John Walsh

Born: December 26, 1945
in Auburn, New York, USA
John Edward Walsh Jr. (born December 26, 1945) is an American television personality, criminal investigator, victim rights advocate, as well as the host and creator of the TV show America's Most Wanted.

Walsh is known for his anti-crime activism, becoming involved following the abduction and brutal murder of his son Adam in 1981 (he was their only child at the time). Convicted serial killer Ottis Toole confessed to Adam's murder, but was never convicted of the crime because evidence was reportedly lost and Toole later recanted his confession. In 2008, the late serial killer Ottis Toole was officially named as Adam's killer and the case was considered closed.

John and Revé Walsh were portrayed by actors Daniel J. Travanti and JoBeth Williams in Adam, a 1983 NBC television film dramatizing the days following Adam's disappearance. The real Walshes appeared at the end of the broadcast to publicize photographs of other children who had vanished but were still missing. Later, a sequel called Adam: His Song Continues was produced and aired. Walsh's life story was also featured on The E! True Hollywood Story and Biography.

After securing a deal with Fox, he launched America's Most Wanted in 1988. By that time, he was well known due to his son's murder and his subsequent actions to help missing and exploited children. America's Most Wanted was the longest-running crime reality show in Fox's history and contributed to the capture of more than 1,000 fugitives. Fox canceled the series in June 2011, but aired four specials during the 2011-12 season.

Walsh also hosted his own daytime talk show, The John Walsh Show, which aired in syndication (mostly on NBC-owned and affiliated stations, as NBC produced the series) from 2002 to 2004. However, since America's Most Wanted was still on the air at the time, he found it difficult to host both shows at the same time, so he asked then-NBC president Jeff Zucker to release him from his contract. Zucker granted his request and cancelled The John Walsh Show.

In 2003, John Walsh assisted in solving the Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart on an episode of America's Most Wanted, where Ed Smart showed the picture of Brian David Mitchell's "Emmanuel" appearance. Mitchell's stepchildren saw the episode, identified him, and called the show. This led to the rescue of Elizabeth Smart and the arrests of Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Ilene Barzee.

He was the host of The Hunt with John Walsh, a successor to AMW, which debuted on July 13, 2014 on CNN. The Hunt was in turn succeeded by In Pursuit with John Walsh, which premiered in January 2019 on Investigation Discovery, and is co-hosted by his son Callahan. He is also the spokesperson for the American digital multicast network Justice Network.

In October 2008, he was awarded the Operation Kids 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to protecting children and to raise funds for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which he co-founded with his wife.

He was part-owner of the now defunct National Museum of Crime and Punishment in Washington, D.C. He has authored three books titled Tears of Rage (1997), No Mercy: The Host of America's Most Wanted Hunts the Worst Criminals of Our Time - In Shattering True Crime Cases (1999), and Public Enemies: The Host of America's Most Wanted Targets the Nation's Most Notorious Criminals (2001).

Movies for John Walsh...

Title: America's Most Wanted
Character: Self - Host
Released: March 15, 2021
Type: TV
Elizabeth Vargas breaks down some of the toughest cases in the pursuit of justice.
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Title: Tamron Hall
Character: Self - Guest
Released: September 9, 2019
Type: TV
Former news host and journalist Tamron Hall discusses all things topical and engages those she interviews in thorough meaningful and entertaining conversations.
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Title: In Pursuit with John Walsh
Character: Host
Released: January 16, 2019
Type: TV
Victims' rights activist John Walsh and his son, Callahan, showcase time-sensitive, unsolved cases in desperate need of attention, mobilizing the public to engage in the pursuit of justice.
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Title: The Hunt with John Walsh
Character: Himself - Host
Released: July 13, 2014
Type: TV
There are among the thousands of fugitives who avoid criminal prosecution in the United States every year. Find out more about these fugitives and join John Walsh in his quest to track them down and bring them to justice
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Title: Cold Justice
Character: Host
Released: September 3, 2013
Type: TV
From Executive Producer Dick Wolf, this true crime investigative series follows veteran prosecutor Kelly Siegler, and her rotating team of seasoned detectives, as they travel to small towns across the country and help local law-enforcement agencies dig into unsolved homicide cases that have lingered for years without answers or justice for the victims due to lack of funding and proper forensic technology.
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She Made Them Do It
Title: She Made Them Do It
Character: Self
Released: December 28, 2012
Type: Movie
"She Made Them Do It" follows the twisted life of Sarah Pender, a charismatic, intelligent young woman who would become one of the country’s most sought after fugitives.
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Mafia Doctor
Title: Mafia Doctor
Character: Police Captain
Released: March 16, 2003
Type: Movie
Growing up poor on the streets of New Jersey, Frank Siena (Danny Nucci) has little hope of realizing his dream of becoming a doctor. But "fate" has a way of intervening. Now a brilliant, successful cardiac surgeon, Frank seems to have it all, except for one terrible secret: Before he swore to save lives and do no harm, Frank took another oath... to mob boss Nicola Delarusso (Paul Sorvino), who paid his way through medical school in exchange for absolute loyalty. And when Delarusso demands payment in full Frank suffers a crisis of conscience that could cost him his job, his wife... and his life!
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Title: John Doe
Released: September 20, 2002
Type: TV
John Doe tell the story of a man who wakes up naked on an island off the coast of Seattle, knowing everything in the world there is to know—except for who he is and how and why he ended up there.
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Wrongfully Accused
Title: Wrongfully Accused
Character: Self
Released: July 23, 1998
Type: Movie
Ryan Harrison, a violin god, superstar and sex symbol does not want to cheat on sexy Lauren Goodhue's husband with her. Mr. Goodhue is found murdered and Ryan suddenly finds himself being the main suspect. After being sentenced to death he manages to flee while being transferred to his execution site. Now, all the world is after him as he stumbles from one unfortunate incident to the next in order to prove himself innocent - by finding a mysterious one-eyed, one-armed, one-legged man...
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Safety Patrol!
Title: Safety Patrol!
Character: John Walsh
Released: March 29, 1998
Type: Movie
Scout Bozell has always dreamt of being on his school's Safety Patrol. The only reason he cannot join is because he is very clumsy. He's sent to another school because his old school would not let him become part of their Safety Patrol. But his new school does let him on the Safety Patrol.
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Title: The Wonderful World of Disney
Character: John Walsh
Released: September 28, 1997
Type: TV
Walt Disney Productions (later The Walt Disney Company) has produced an anthology television series under several different titles since 1954. The original version of the series premiered on ABC in 1954. The show was broadcast weekly on one of the Big Three television networks until 1990, a 36-year span with only a two-year hiatus in 1984-85. The series was broadcast on Sunday for 25 of those years. From 1991 until 1997, the series aired infrequently. The program resumed a regular schedule in 1997 on the ABC fall schedule, coinciding with Disney's recent purchase of the network. From 1997 until 2008, the program aired regularly on ABC. Subsequently, ABC continued the series as an occasional special presentation.
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Title: The View
Character: Self
Released: August 11, 1997
Type: TV
ABC Daytime's morning chatfest, currently featuring Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Meghan McCain, and Abby Huntsman, discussing the most exciting events of the day. Hot topics in the news, the best experts in their field, celebrity interviews and general entertainment are all part of The View.
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Title: KaBlam!
Character: Snuppa (voice)
Released: October 11, 1996
Type: TV
KaBlam! is a sketch comedy television series that ran from 1996 to 2000. It features a collection of short films in several different styles of animation, bridged by the characters of Henry and June, who introduce the shorts, and have adventures of their own. The show ended its three-year run nine months short of four years on January 22, 2000.
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Title: Sniz and Fondue
Released: October 7, 1996
Type: TV
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Title: E! True Hollywood Story
Released: August 21, 1996
Type: TV
E! True Hollywood Story is an American documentary series on E! that deals with famous Hollywood celebrities, movies, TV shows and also well-known public figures. Among the topics covered on the program include salacious re-tellings of Hollywood secrets, show-biz scandals, celebrity murders and mysteries, porn-star biographies, and "where-are-they-now?" investigations of former child stars. It frequently features in-depth interviews, actual courtroom footage, and dramatic reenactments. When aired on the E! network, episodes will be updated to reflect the current life or status of the subject.
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Title: Kenan & Kel
Character: America's Criminals Host
Released: August 17, 1996
Type: TV
Set in Chicago, the show follows the kid-friendly misadventures of two high-school friends who are always scheming and dreaming. Kenan, who works at a grocery store, constantly devises crazy plans to strike it rich, while orange-soda-loving buddy Kel is always dragged along for the ride despite his track record for messing things up.
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Title: Forensic Files
Character: Self
Released: April 21, 1996
Type: TV
Real crimes, disease outbreaks and accidents around the world are solved by experts using scientific laboratory analysis which helps them find previously undetectable evidence. Brilliant scientific work helps convict the guilty and free the innocent.
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If Looks Could Kill
Title: If Looks Could Kill
Character: Himself
Released: February 6, 1996
Type: Movie
The true story of John Hawkins as featured on America's Most Wanted.
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Title: Eek! The Cat
Character: John Walsh (voice)
Released: September 11, 1992
Type: TV
Eek! The Cat is a Canadian-American animated series, created by Savage Steve Holland and Bill Kopp and produced by Fox Kids and Savage Studios with animation by Nelvana, that ran from 1992 to 1997.
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Jesuit Joe
Title: Jesuit Joe
Character: Le capitaine Fox
Released: November 6, 1991
Type: Movie
Canada, 1911. Narrated by a vulture, the story of Jesuit Joe, a mixed-race who belongs to a rebel Indian family, which have pay a lot for the defense of their territory. After having striped a policeman of his uniform, Jesuit Joe cross the Far North to give justice.
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Title: The Simpsons
Released: December 17, 1989
Type: TV
Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, as well as a virtual cast of thousands. Since the beginning, the series has been a pop culture icon, attracting hundreds of celebrities to guest star. The show has also made name for itself in its fearless satirical take on politics, media and American life in general.
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Title: Cops
Released: March 11, 1989
Type: TV
Follow real-life law enforcement officers from various regions and departments of the United States armed with nothing but with cameras to capture their actions, performing their daily duty to serve and protect the public.
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Title: LIVE with Kelly and Mark
Released: September 5, 1988
Type: TV
A morning talk show with A-list celebrity guests, top-notch performances and one-of-a-kind segments that are unrivaled on daytime television, plus spontaneous, hilarious and unpredictable talk.
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Title: America's Most Wanted
Character: Himself - Host
Released: February 7, 1988
Type: TV
Presented by Walsh, the show profiles and assist law enforcement in the apprehension of fugitives wanted for numerous crimes, including murder, rape, kidnapping, child molestation, white-collar crime, organized crime, armed robbery, gang violence, and terrorism, and also many of whom are currently on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
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Title: Celebrity
Character: Newscaster #1
Released: February 12, 1984
Type: TV
Self-proclaimed faith healer T.J. Luther, movie star Mack Crawford and journalist Kleber Cantrell share a fateful reunion in a deserted Texas cabin that was the scene of a night of violence over two decades.
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Title: AntiTV
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: TV