Horace McMahon
Horace McMahon was an American actor. He was one of Hollywood's favorite heavies.
McMahon began his acting career on Broadway, then appeared in many films and television series. In 1962, he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his performance in the series Naked City.
Early years
McMahon was born in South Norwalk, Connecticut. He became interested in acting when he was a student at Fordham University School of Law.
Career
In his early career McMahon mostly played gangsters and criminals, but in 1949 he starred in his most acclaimed role as Lieutenant Monaghan in the drama Detective Story. In 1951 he reprised his character in Paramount Pictures' film version Detective Story with Kirk Douglas and Eleanor Parker.
McMahon also starred on television in the ABC police series Naked City as Lt. Mike Parker, a gruff but warmhearted police officer, interested only in justice and doing the job according to the proper rules of the game. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for this role.
In 1964, McMahon played Hank McClure, a police contact in the CBS drama series, Mr. Broadway.
On 5 October 1967, McMahon performed as "Glu Gluten" in Season 3, Episode 4's "The Sport of Penguins" on ABC's Batman television series.
In 1968, he played police Captain Tom Farrell in The Detective starring Frank Sinatra.
McMahon also did voice-overs for commercials, including those for Close-Up toothpaste and Armstrong tires.
Legacy
In 1972, a 375-seat theater named in honor of McMahon was created in the McCrory Building on Washington Street in South Norwalk, Connecticut.
Personal life
McMahon was married to actress Louise Campbell from 1938 until his death in 1971. Their daughter Martha McMahon also became an actress.
Selected filmography
Bulldog Edition – Horace Boyd Navy Blues – GatelegThey Gave Him a Gun – Prison Inmate Kid Galahad – Reporter at Press Conference Public Wedding – ReporterExclusive – Beak McArdleBad Guy – Malone the Informer The Wrong Road – Blackie ClaytonA Girl with Ideas – AlThe Last Gangster – Limpy Paid to Dance – LaRueWhen G-Men Step In – JenningsKing of the Newsboys – LockjawLadies in Distress – 2nd ThugFast Company – Danny ScoladoMarie Antoinette – Rabblerouser The Crowd Roars – Rocky Simpson Tenth Avenue Kid – Max HookerI Am the Law – Prisoner Wanted by the Police – Russo's Chief HenchmanBroadway Musketeers – Gurk, Vince's HenchmanSecrets of a Nurse – Larry CarsonNewsboys' Home – BartschFederal Man-Hunt – Snuffy DeeganPride of the Navy – Gloomey KellyPirates of the Skies – Henchman Artie I Was a Convict – Missouri SmithSergeant Madden – PhiladelphiaFor Love or Money – Dead EyesCalling Dr. Kildare – J. Harold 'Fog Horn' Murphy – Taxi Driver Big Town Czar – PunchyRose of Washington Square – IrvingThe Gracie Allen Murder Case – Gus 6,000 Enemies – Prisoner Boxcar Bachelor Mother – Dance Floor Official She Married a Cop – Joe NashQuick Millions – Floyd 'Bat' DouglasSabotage – Art KrugerAnother Thin Man – MacFay's Chauffeur That's Right—You're Wrong – Hood Laugh It Off – Phil FerrrantiOh Johnny, How You Can Love – 'Lefty' Hodges – Bank RobberThe Marines Fly High – Sgt. Monk O'HaraThe Ghost Comes Home – Dave – the Nightclub Manager Dr. Kildare's Strange Case – J. Harold 'Fog Horn' MurphyMy Favorite Wife – Truck Driver Giving Lift to Ellen Gangs of Chicago – Cry-BabyI Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby – BugsMillionaires in Prison – Sylvester Odgen 'SOS' SchofieldWe Who Are Young – ForemanThe Golden Fleecing – Process Server Dr. Kildare Goes Home – J. Harold 'Fog Horn' Murphy The Leather Pushers – Slugger MearsThe Bride Wore Crutches – BrainsMargie – DetectiveMelody Ranch – Bud WildhackDr. Kildare's Crisis – J. Harold 'Fog Horn' MurphyCome Live with Me – Taxi DriverRookies on Parade – Tiger BranniganLady Scarface – MullenDr. Kildare's Wedding Day – J. Harold 'Fog Horn' Murphy Buy Me That Town – Fingers FlintThe Stork Pays Off – 'Ears-to-the-Ground' HinkleBirth of the Blues – WolfJail House Blues – SwiftyStage Door Canteen – HimselfGood Luck, Mr. Yates – Truck Driver Dangerous Blondes – Hoodlum Timber Queen – RodneyThe Navy Way – Sailor Saxon Roger Touhy, Gangster – Maxie Sharkey 13 Rue Madeleine – Burglary Instructor Joe Palooka in Fighting Mad – LooieSmart Woman – Lefty Waterfront at Midnight – Hank BremmerThe Return of October – Big Louie Detective Story – Lt. MonaghanAbbott and Costello Go to Mars – MugsyMan in the Dark – ArnieFast Company – 'Two Pair' BufordChamp for a Day – Sam BentonDuffy of San Quentin – PiersonSusan Slept Here – Sergeant Monty MaizelBlackboard Jungle – DetectiveMy Sister Eileen – Police Officer LoniganTexas Lady – Stringer WinfieldThe Delicate Delinquent – Police Captain RileyBeau James – ProsecutorNever Steal Anything Small – O. K. MerrittThe Swinger – Detective Sergeant HookerThe Detective – Farrell