Sean McClory

Séan Joseph McClory (8 March 1924 – 10 December 2003) was an Irish actor whose career spanned six decades and included well over 100 films and television series. He was sometimes billed as Shawn McGlory or Sean McGlory.

Early years

McClory was born Séan Joseph McClory on 8 March 1924 in Dublin, Ireland, but spent his early life in County Galway. He was the son of Hugh Patrick McClory, an architect and civil engineer, and Mary Margaret (née Ball), a model. He was not related to Kevin McClory.

McClory studied at St. Ignatius Jesuit College and at the National University of Ireland Medical School. He served in the Irish Army Medical Corps during World War II.

After the War McClory was drawn to acting. When out of work, he turned to other employment, including washing dishes, driving trucks, working at a gold mine on the California-Nevada border and sailing around the world. At one point, he sold his blood to obtain money for food and drinks.

Career

Stage

McClory began his career on stage, specializing in comedy at the Abbey Theatre. On Broadway, McClory portrayed Rory Commons in ''The King of Friday's Men'' (1951). His acting in regional theater included ''Dial "M" for Murder'' (1955) at the Sombrero Playhouse in Arizona and ''Shadow of a Gunman'' (1984) with the California Artists Repertory Theatre. He also acted in a summer theater in La Jolla, California.

Film

Jack Votion, a representative of RKO Pictures who was based in Europe, discovered McClory performing at the Abby Theatre, after which McClory went to Hollywood in 1947 and began acting in films. His work included the role of an Irish policeman in ''Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome'' and ''Dick Tracy's Dilemma.'' He was part of the John Ford Stock Company, appearing in the Ford productions '' What Price Glory'', ''The Long Gray Line'', ''The Quiet Man'','' and Cheyenne Autumn''. McClory portrayed a ringmaster in ''Ring of Fear'' (1954) and a chauffeur in the comedy '' My Chauffeur'' (1986).

Television

On television, McClory portrayed Captain Clary on the NBC adventure series ''Tales of the 77th Bengal Lancers'', Pat McShane on the CBS crime drama '' Kate McShane'', Myles on the CBS adventure series '' Bring 'Em Back Alive'', and Jack McGivern on NBC's western television series, '' The Californians''.

In 1958, McClory was cast as Ted O'Malley in the episode "Short Haul" of the CBS crime drama, ''Richard Diamond, Private Detective'', starring David Janssen.

McClory appeared twice in the 1960 NBC western series, '' Overland Trail'', starring William Bendix and Doug McClure. He was a guest star in the syndicated western series, ''Pony Express'' and in 1960 on ABC's western drama, ''The Man from Blackhawk'', starring Robert Rockwell as a roving insurance investigator. Another 1960 role was as Quinn in "Talent for Danger" on the ABC adventure series, '' The Islanders'', set in the South Pacific. In 1960 and 1961, McClory appeared in the episodes, "Heads, You Lose" and "Appointment at Tara-Bi", of another ABC series, '' Adventures in Paradise'', starring Gardner McKay. McClory was a guest star in episodes of the television Western ''The Rifleman'', "Knight Errant" (1961) and "I Take This Woman" (1962), playing an Irish romantic rival to star Chuck Connors' lead character of Lucas McCain.

McClory appeared as Jaimie MacDonald in the 1963 episode "Commando" of the CBS anthology series, ''GE True'', hosted by Jack Webb. He was cast thereafter in a second-season episode of Irwin Allen's CBS science fiction series ''Lost in Space'' called "The Astral Traveller", as a Scottish bagpiping "ghost" named Hamish. He made several guest appearances on ''Perry Mason'', including the 1961 episode, "The Case of the Malicious Mariner", the defendant in the 1962 episode, "The Case of the Unsuitable Uncle," and the title character and husband of the defendant in "The Case of the Scandalous Sculptor." McClory made two appearances on NBC's '' Bonanza,'' as Mark Connors in the 1962 episode "The Tall Stranger" and as Professor James Aloysuis McCarthy in the 1963 comedic episode "Hoss and the Leprechauns".

In 1965, McClory was cast as the poet Joaquin Miller, first poet laureate of California, in the episode "Magic Locket" of the syndicated western series, ''Death Valley Days'', hosted by Ronald W. Reagan. In a later ''Death Valley Days'' episode, "Talk to Me Charley", McClory played gold prospector Charley Gentry.

Sean played Scott Winters in CBS's '' Mannix'' episode "Then the Drink Takes the Man", which first aired on 30 December 1967.

Personal life

McClory was married four times. His third marriage, to Sue Alexander, ended with her death in 1979. He married actress Peggy Webber in 1983. On 10 December 2003, McClory died of a heart condition at his home in Hollywood Hills, California.

Filmography

* 1947 ''Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome'' as Officer Carney (uncredited)
* 1947 ''Dick Tracy's Dilemma'' as Officer Dillon (uncredited)
* 1948 ''Beyond Glory'' as Barney
* 1949 '' Roughshod'' as Fowler
* 1950 '' The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady'' as James Moore
* 1950 ''The Glass Menagerie'' as Richard (uncredited)
* 1951 ''Storm Warning'' as Shore
* 1951 ''Lorna Doone'' as Charleworth Doone
* 1951 '' David and Bathsheba'' as Aide to King David (First Scene) (uncredited)
* 1951 '' The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel'' as Jock (uncredited)
* 1951 ''Anne of the Indies'' as Hackett
* 1952 ''The Quiet Man'' as Owen Glynn
* 1952 '' What Price Glory'' as Lieutenant Austin (uncredited)
* 1952 ''Les Misérables'' as Bamtasbois (uncredited)
* 1952 '' Face to Face'' as Second Mate Robinson ('The Secret Sharer')
* 1952 ''Botany Bay'' as Marine Sergeant (uncredited)
* 1953 '' Niagara'' as Sam (uncredited)
* 1953 '' Rogue's March'' as McGinty
* 1953 ''Plunder of the Sun'' as Jefferson
* 1953 '' Island in the Sky'' as Frank Lovatt
* 1953 ''Man in the Attic'' as Constable #1
* 1953 ''Charade'' as Jack Stuydevant
* 1954 ''Them!'' as Major Kibbee
* 1954 '' Ring of Fear'' as Dublin O'Malley
* 1955 ''The Long Gray Line'' as "Dinny" Maher
* 1955 ''I Cover the Underworld'' as Gunner O'Hara & John O'Hara
* 1955 '' Moonfleet'' as Elzevir Block
* 1955 ''The King's Thief'' as Sheldon
* 1956 '' Diane'' as Count Michel Montgomery
* 1956 '' Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' TV Series Episode: "Place Of Shadows" as Brother Gerard
* 1957 ''The Guns of Fort Petticoat'' as Emmett Kettle
* 1961 '' Valley of the Dragons'' as Michael Denning
* 1964 ''Mary Poppins'' as Hound / Reporter #4 (voice, uncredited)
* 1964 '' Cheyenne Autumn'' as Dr. O'Carberry
* 1965 '' Mara of the Wilderness'' as Dr. Frank Wade (uncredited)
* 1966 '' Follow Me, Boys!'' as Edward White Sr.
* 1967 ''The Gnome-Mobile'' as Horatio Quaxton
* 1967 '' The King's Pirate'' as Sparkes
* 1967 ''The Happiest Millionaire'' as Police Sergeant
* 1968 ''Bandolero!'' as Robbie O'Hare
* 1971 ''The Day of the Wolves'' as The Sheriff
* 1979 ''Roller Boogie'' as "Jammer" Delany
* 1986 '' My Chauffeur'' as O'Brien
* 1987 '' The Dead'' as Mr. Grace

Television

*''Cavalcade of America'' – episodes – The Arrow and the Bow & Courage in Connecticut – Andrew Johnson (1953–54)
*'' Broken Arrow'' – episode – Passage Deferred – Shawn (1956)
*''Frontier'' – episode – Tomas and the Widow – Gavin (1955)
*''The Restless Gun'' – episode – Silver Threads – Mike O'Hara (1957)
*''The Adventures of Jim Bowie'' – episode – The Irishman – Walter Holleran (1957)
*''The Adventures of Jim Bowie'' – episode – Convoy Gold – Pat Donovan (1957)
*'' The Californians'' – 37 episodes – Jack McGivern (1957–58)
*''Richard Diamond, Private Detective'' – episode – Short Haul – Ted O'Malley (1958)
*'' Steve Canyon'' – episode – The Gift – Bert Quillan (1958)
*''Have Gun – Will Travel'' – episode – The Solid Gold Patrol – Cpl. Mike Callahan (1958)
*'' Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond'' - episode - The Inheritance - Michael Barry (1959) (broadcast 27th. Oct., US)
*''Wagon Train'' – episode – The Charlene Brenton Story – Casey (1960)
*''The Overland Trail'' – episodes – The O'Mara's Ladies & All the O'Mara's Horses – The O'Mara (1960)
*'' Wanted: Dead or Alive'' – episode – Jason – 'Doc' Phillips (1960)
*''Stagecoach West – episode – Finn McColl – Finn McColl (1961)
*''Bronco'' – episode – The Harrigan – Terrence Harrigan (1961)
*''The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp'' – episode – Wyatt Earp's Baby – Edgar 'Muley' Boles (1961)
*''Perry Mason'' – episode – The Case of the Malicious Mariner – Fred Wenzel (1961)
*''Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color'' – episode – '' The Swamp Fox'': A Woman's Courage – Capt. Myles (1961)
*''The Rifleman'' – episode – Knight Errant – Col. Charles Black (1961)
*'' The Detectives'' – episode – One Lousy Wednesday – The Swami (1962)
*'' Bonanza'' – episode – The Tall Stranger – Mark Connors (1962)
*''The Untouchables'' – episode – The Eddie O'Gara Story – Vince O'Gara (1962)
*'' Checkmate'' – episode – The Heart Is a Handout – Stamper (1962)
*''The Rifleman'' – episode – I Take This Woman – Dennis O'Flarrety (1962)
*''The Untouchables'' – episode – The Whitey Steele Story – Police Capt. John Stanwood (1962)
*'' Laramie'' – episode – The Turn of the Wheel – Gordon (1962)
*''Perry Mason'' – episode – The Case of the Unsuitable Uncle – Harry Fothergill (1962)
*'' Tales of Wells Fargo'' – episode – Incident at Crossbow – Con Toole (1962)
*'' Thriller'' – episode – The Hollow Watcher – Sean O'Danagh (1962)
*'' The Great Adventure'' – episode – The Story of Nathan Hale – Major Carlton (1963)
*'' Bonanza'' – episode – Hoss and the Leprechauns – Professor James Aloysius McCarthy (1963)
*'' Rawhide'' – episode – Damon's Road: Parts 1 & 2 – Finn (1964)
*''Perry Mason'' – episode – The Case of the Scandalous Sculptor – Hannibal Harvey (1964)
*''Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color'' – episode – The Adventures of Gallegher: Parts 1 – 3 – Officer Madden (1965)
*''Daniel Boone'' – episode – The Devil's Four – O'Hara (1965)
*'' The Virginian'' – episode – Day of the Scorpion – Cobb (1965)
*''Death Valley Days'' – episode – Magic Locket – Joaquin Miller (1965)
*''My Favorite Martian'' – episode – How Are Things in Glocca, Martin? – Seamus O'Hara (1965)
*''Iron Horse'' – episode – Right of Way Through Paradise – Beau Sidell (1966)
*''Family Affair'' – episode – The Other Cheek – Mr. Michaels (1967)
*'' Mannix'' – episode – Then the Drink Takes the Man – Scott Winters (1967)
*''Lost in Space'' – episode – The Astral Traveller – Hamish (1967)
*'' Lancer'' – episode – The High Riders – Coley McHugh (1968)
*''Daniel Boone'' – episode – Be Thankful for the Fickleness of Women – Ephron Marsh (1968)
*''The High Chaparral'' – episode – The Glory Soldiers – Sandy McIntire (1969)
*''Daniel Boone'' – episode – Jonah – Bartender (1969)
*''The Beverly Hillbillies'' – episode – Manhattan Hillbillies – Police Officer (1969)
*''The Guns of Will Sonnett'' – episodes – A Town in Terror: Parts 1 & 2 – Pat Murphy (1969)
*'' Gunsmoke'' – episode – The Judas Gun – Clete Bolden (1970)
*'' The Virginian'' – episode – Holocaust – Walter May (1970)
*''Death Valley Days'' – episode – Talk to Me, Charley – Charley Gentry (1970)
*"The Men From Shiloh" rebranded name of '' The Virginian'' – episode – The Town Killer – Harry Post (1971)
*'' Gunsmoke'' – episode – The Town Tamers – Sham (1974)
*'' The Blue Knight'' – episode – The Rose and the Gun (1976)
*'' Captains and the Kings'' – TV Mini-Series – Boland (1976)
*''Little House on the Prairie'' – episode – The Runaway Caboose – Sandy Nelson (1976)
*'' Once an Eagle'' – TV Mini-Series – Part 7 – Militia Colonel (1977)
*'' Battlestar Galactica'' – episode – The Long Patrol – Assault 9 (1978)
*'' Columbo'' – episode – The Conspirators – Captain (1978)
*'' How the West Was Won'' – TV Mini-Series – Ben Dodge (1978)
*'' General Hospital'' – 16 May 1980 – Judge (uncredited) (1980)
*''Trapper John, M.D.'' – episode – 'Tis the Season – Reverend Flanagan (1981)
*'' Bring 'Em Back Alive'' – 6 episodes – Myles Delaney (1982)
*''Simon & Simon'' – episode – Bon Voyage, Alonso – Capt. Cottrell (1983)
*''Fantasy Island'' – episode – Revenge of the Forgotten/Charo – Butler (1983)
*'' Falcon Crest'' – episode – Blood Brothers – Frank O'Neal (1985)
*'' Murder, She Wrote'' – episode – Dead Man's Gold – Ross Barber (1986)
*''Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color'' – episode – Young Harry Houdini – Sean O'Casey (1987)

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:McClory, Sean
1924 births
2003 deaths
Irish male film actors
Irish male television actors
People from County Galway
Male actors from Dublin (city)
20th-century Irish male actors
Western (genre) television actors
Irish expatriate male actors in the United States
Irish Army soldiers