Stephen McNally


Stephen McNally was an American actor remembered mostly for his appearances in many Westerns and action films. His dark features often cast him as hard-hearted characters, criminals, bullies, and other villains.

Early years

Stephen McNally was born Horace McNally in New York City. McNally attended Fordham University School of Law and was an attorney in the late 1930s before he pursued his passion for acting.

Career

He started his stage career using his real name, Horace McNally. He was signed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1942 and cast in supporting roles. His first juvenile lead was as a newspaper editor in the Laurel and Hardy comedy Air Raid Wardens. He remained with MGM, always billed as Horace McNally, until 1946.
In 1948, he changed his stage name to Stephen McNally and signed with Warner Bros. He played the villainous Locky McCormick in the film version of Johnny Belinda.
He appeared in Winchester '73 and co-starred in Criss Cross. Notable 1950s films included No Way Out, Split Second, Violent Saturday and Johnny Rocco.
McNally was cast in three episodes of the ABC religion anthology series Crossroads. He portrayed Monsigneur Harold Engle in "Ringside Padre" and Father Flanagan of the Boys Town orphanage in Nebraska in "Convict 1321, Age 21". In between, he was cast as United States Army General George S. Patton, in "The Patton Prayer". McNally also appeared in the episode "Specimen: Unknown" from the anthology series The Outer Limits. He co-starred on the 1958 episode, "The Ben Courtney Story" on Wagon Train as a former Union soldier turned sheriff. In 1959, he portrayed Clay Thompson, a bounty hunter, with Myron Healey as a sheriff, in the CBS Western series, The Texan.
In the 1960 episode "The Mormons" on the CBS Western, Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre McNally played Matt Rowland, who tries to block a wagon train of Mormons from entering his town, as they are suspected of carrying cholera. Things change quickly, when Rowland's son, Tod, becomes interested in a young lady on the train, Beth Lawson.
In 1967, he started as Dal Neely, a murderous outlaw who tries to take his daughter away with him in the episode "The Lure" on Gunsmoke. In 1971, he appeared as Gus Muller in "The Men From Shiloh" in the episode titled "The Angus Killer". During the 1970s, McNally guest starred on television programs such as Fantasy Island, Starsky & Hutch, Charlie's Angels, The Rockford Files, and Police Story.

Death

McNally died of heart failure June 4, 1994, at age 82, at his home in Beverly Hills, California. He and his wife, Rita, had eight children.

Partial filmography

Grand Central Murder – 'Turk'The War Against Mrs. Hadley – PetersEyes in the Night – Gabriel HoffmanFor Me and My Gal – Mr. WaringDr. Gillespie's New Assistant – Howard Allwinn YoungKeeper of the Flame – Freddie RidgesAir Raid Wardens – Dan MadisonThe Man from Down Under – 'Dusty' RhodesAn American Romance – Teddy Roosevelt Dangos / NarratorThirty Seconds over Tokyo – 'Doc' WhiteDangerous Partners – Co-pilotBewitched – Eric RussellThe Harvey Girls – 'Goldust' McCleanUp Goes Maisie – Tim KingbyMagnificent Doll – John ToddJohnny Belinda – Locky McCormickRogues' Regiment – Carl ReicherCriss Cross – Pete RamirezCity Across the River – Stan AlbertThe Lady Gambles – Horace CorriganSword in the Desert – David VogelWoman in Hiding – Selden Clark IVWinchester '73 – Dutch Henry BrownNo Way Out – Dr. Dan WhartonWyoming Mail – Steve DavisAir Cadet – Major Jack PageApache Drums – Sam LeedsIron Man – George MasonThe Lady Pays Off – Matt BraddockThe Raging Tide – Lieutenant KelseyDiplomatic Courier – Colonel Mark CagleThe Duel at Silver Creek – Marshal Lightning TyroneBattle Zone – Sergeant Mitch TurnerThe Black Castle – Count Karl von BrunoSplit Second – Sam HurleyThe Stand at Apache River – Lane DakotaDevil's Canyon – Jessie GormanMake Haste to Live – Steve BlackfordA Bullet Is Waiting – Sheriff MunsonThe Man from Bitter Ridge – Alec BlackViolent Saturday – Harper Tribute to a Bad Man – McNultyHell's Crossroads – Victor 'Vic' RodellHell's Five Hours – Mike BrandThe Fiend Who Walked the West – Marshal Frank EmmettJohnny Rocco – Tony RoccoHell Bent for Leather – DeckettRequiem for a Gunfighter – Red ZimmerPanic in the City – James KincadeOnce You Kiss a Stranger – Police Lieutenant Tom GavinBlack Gunn – LaurentoThe Lives of Jenny Dolan – Lieutenant NesbittHi-Riders – Mr. Lewis