Neil McCarthy (actor)
Eugene Neil McCarthy was an English actor known for his dramatic physical appearance caused by acromegaly.
Early life
Born in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, the son of Sleaford dentist Eugene Charles McCarthy and Beatrice Annie, McCarthy was educated at Stamford School before reading modern languages at Trinity College Dublin, and trained as a Latin and French teacher. He could also speak fluent Greek.Career
After his teacher training, McCarthy appeared in repertory theatre in Oxford, at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and in the West End.McCarthy's film credits include memorable roles as Welsh soldier Private Thomas in Zulu, as Sergeant Jock McPherson in Where Eagles Dare, as Gates in The Ruffians, as the villain Calibos in Clash of the Titans and as a robber in Time Bandits. His television credits include Barnaby Rudge, Man of the World, Danger Man, The Avengers, The Saint, Z-Cars, Dixon of Dock Green, Great Expectations, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), Catweazle, My Wife Next Door, Softly, Softly: Task Force, Department S, Who Pays the Ferryman?, Return of the Saint, Doctor Who, Enemy at the Door, Shogun, The Professionals, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, Only When I Laugh, The Gentle Touch and Emmerdale Farm, and the television adaptation of the Lord Peter Wimsey novel, The Nine Tailors.
He died of motor neurone disease in Fordingbridge, Hampshire in 1985, aged 52.
Selected filmography
Breakout – Chandler's henchman- The Square Ring Sands of the Desert – HassanBarnaby Rudge – Hugh The Criminal – O'HaraOffbeat – Leo FarrellSolo for Sparrow – DustyThe Pot Carriers – BracketWe Joined the Navy – SergeantTwo Left Feet – Ted The Cracksman – Van GoghZulu – Private ThomasThe Hill – BurtonCuckoo Patrol – Superman No.2Great Expectations – Joe Gargery Seven Times Seven – Mr. DochertyWhere Eagles Dare – Sgt. Jock MacPherson Department S - Quince in the episode A Ticket to NowhereDoctor Who: The Mind of Evil – George Patrick BarnhamFollow Me! – ParkinsonThe Zoo Robbery – SkipperSteptoe and Son Ride Again – LennieSome Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em - Take A Break, Take A Husband, aka "The Hotel" - Mr Bedford Operation Daybreak – Man at Quarry Side by Side – Alf Fern, the Red Deer – PoacherTrial by Combat – Ben WilloughbyThe Incredible Sarah – SergeantDoctor Who: The Power of Kroll – ThawnMeasure for Measure – AbhorsonShōgun – SpillbergenGeorge and Mildred – EddieThe Monster Club – Watson – B-Squad MemberThe Professionals – Sam ArmitageClash of the Titans – CalibosTime Bandits – 2nd RobberNancy Astor – Reverend Neve