Private Detective — Blood Simple Character Profile

About Private Detective

A hired investigator who photographs the affair and attempts to kill Abby and Ray for $10,000. He double-crosses Marty, shoots him, forges evidence, and pursues Abby to retrieve a lighter, ultimately being killed by her in a standoff.

Character Facts

Played by

M. Emmet Walsh

Appears in

Blood Simple (1985)

Role

Supporting

Relationships (3)

• Private Detective — Professional Employer — Julian Marty (Dan Hedaya)

  Client-hireman arrangement where Marty pays for a contract killing.

• Private Detective — Conflict Target — Ray (John Getz)

  Hunter-prey relationship where the detective systematically eliminates Ray.

• Private Detective — Conflict Target — Abby (Frances McDormand)

  Hunter-prey relationship where the detective pursues Abby to retrieve a forgotten item.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of Blood Simple

More characters from Blood Simple

• Ray (John Getz)
• Abby (Frances McDormand)
• Julian Marty (Dan Hedaya)
• Meurice (Samm-Art Williams)
• Strip Bar Exhorter (Loren Bivens)
• Marty's Vomiting (voice) (uncredited) (Barry Sonnenfeld)
• Helene Trend (voice) (uncredited) (Holly Hunter)
• Landlady (Raquel Gavia)
• Debra (Deborah Neumann)
• Strip Bar Senator (Bob McAdams)
• Stripper (Shannon Sedwick)
• Girl on Overlook (Nancy Finger)