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- I spent my whole life trying to be a good father, to compensate for the fact that, my own dad didn't think I was a very good son
- —Jim to Jack Canner[src]
Jim Walsh is a principal character on Beverly Hills, 90210. He is portrayed by James Eckhouse.
Character[]
Jim is a staunch-but-sensitive disciplinarian who tends to dispatch tough love. He was raised in Minnsota and graduated from University of Minnesota, where he met his future wife, Cindy Beevis. While in college, Jim was politicall active in hs opposition to the U.S. war in Vietnam. He also dreamt of being a poet. As an adult, Jim has taken a much more pragmatic approach to life, with a career in accounting and a conservative parenting style. His passionate spirit in youth arguably lives on in his rebellious daughter, Brenda.
Story[]
After living a nice life in Minneapolis with his wife, Cindy, and their twins, Brandon and Brenda, Jim is offered a promotion which requires a move to Beverly Hills. Jim's new position leaves him swamped with work from the moment they arrive in California and, ironically, requires a lot of trips back to Minneapolis for him. While adjusting, Jim hardly sees his family, which puts a strain on his marriage, as Cindy is lonely as a homemaker in her new surroundings. This comes to a head when their old college friend, Glen, runs into Cindy and Cindy has an emotional affair with him. Jim confronts Glen and asks him to leave Jim's family alone. Jim forgives Cindy and also promises to make an effort with their life together going forward.[2]
To varying degrees between the two of them, the parents are largely portrayed as caring, disciplined, sage-like figures. They offered advice not only to their own children throughout the first series, but occasionally to their children's friends. The phrase "Jim and Cindy" has become an almost iconic statement. Jim and Cindy depart L.A. for Hong Kong on business in the summer of 1995, leaving their now-grown son Brandon —whose sister had departed for England a year prior — to live his life independently.
Relationships[]
- Cindy Walsh
- Main article: Jim and Cindy
Family[]
Of his children's friends, Jim was by far closest to Dylan McKay. He disapproved of Dylan's relationship with Brenda on certain occasions, but was content with it on others. At the same time, he served as a trustee and father-figure to him. Most of the time when Jim would advise Dylan against something — such as buying a new car or trusting newly arrived family members — he was proven right, which Dylan would often learn the hard way.[3] Despite their differences, Jim and Dylan's relationship matured into a mutually respectful one throughout their years of professional and personal association.
Trivia[]
- Jim's father passed away at an unspecified time, before Jim & Cindy's 20th wedding anniversary.[4]
- He and his father didn't talk a lot up until the time Jim's father passed away. His father was a marine and disappointed that his son would not enlist for Vietnam, as Jim was against the war.[5]
- His parents married somewhere around 1944
Photos[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ Dead End
- ↑ The 17-Year Itch
- ↑ This fatherly aspect of their relationship is something that writer Karen Rosin jokes about in her Season 3 DVD commentary.
- ↑ Twenty Years Ago Today
- ↑ The Kindness of Strangers