Joseph C. Shaughnessy (August 5, 1920 – July 23, 1985), better known as Mickey Shaughnessy, was an American actor and comedian.

Early life

Joseph C. Shaughnessy was born in New York City. He began in show business working as a singer at resorts, and became a comedian when he saw that the pay was better. He also was a

Golden Gloves The Golden Gloves of America is an organization that promotes annual competitions of amateur boxing in the United States, in which winners are awarded a belt and a ring, and the title of national champion. The organization currently owns 30 fr ...

boxer. He served in

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

and appeared in a U.S. Army revue called "Stars and Gripes". After the war, a Columbia Pictures producer saw him performing on stage and offered him a

screen test A screen test is a method of determining the suitability of an actor or actress for performing on film or in a particular role. It is typically a secondary or later stage in the audition process. The performer is generally given a scene, or sel ...

. His screen debut was in the 1952 film '' The Marrying Kind''.

Career

Shaughnessy, who was six feet tall and weighed 210 pounds, played "tough, colorful characters" in films like ''From Here to Eternity'', where he played the amiable Sergeant Leva. He also appeared in '' Jailhouse Rock'' as

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one of the most significant cultural figures of the ...

's character's prison mentor, and in '' Designing Woman'' (1957) as a punch-drunk ex-boxer who could only sleep with his eyes open. As a performer, he won critical praise for roles that might have otherwise been overlooked. Writing in ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'', film critic Bosley Crowther said that Shaughnessy's role in '' The Sheepman'' (1958) was the "item to be most grateful for", and called him ''a slag heap of pot-belly, wounded dignity and scowls.'' His final roles included a part in Walt Disney's '' The Boatniks.'' He also appeared in the 1971 series '' Chicago Teddy Bears'', a comedy about a speakeasy in the 1920s. According to the ''Los Angeles Times'', Shaughnessy once said that he always kept in mind "the old Irishman--the guy who refuses the dentist's novocain. He sits there and takes out his rosary and offers up the pain for his sins." He also worked in radio and television and had a nightclub act.

Later years

In his later years, Shaughnessy lived in Wildwood, New Jersey. He continued his nightclub act until nearly the end of his life. He died July 23, 1985, aged 64, in Cape May Court House, New Jersey of

lung cancer Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma, is a malignant tumor that begins in the lung. Lung cancer is caused by genetic damage to the DNA of cells in the airways, often caused by cigarette smoking or inhaling damaging chemicals. Damaged ...

. He was survived by his wife Sarah, his sister Alice Shaughnessy, four daughters and three sons.

Credits

Feature films

*'' The Princess and the Pirate'' (1944) – Man who brings the beers (uncredited) *'' The Marrying Kind'' (1952) – Pat Bundy *'' Last of the Comanches'' (1953) – Rusty Potter *'' From Here to Eternity'' (1953) – Sgt. Leva *'' Conquest of Space'' (1955) – Sgt. Mahoney *'' Designing Woman'' (1957) – Maxie Stultz *'' The Burglar'' (1957) – Dohmer *'' Slaughter on Tenth Avenue'' (1957) – Solly Pitts *'' Until They Sail'' (1957) – US Marine, Store Customer *'' Jailhouse Rock'' (1957) – Hunk Houghton *'' Don't Go Near the Water'' (1957) – Farragut Jones *'' The Sheepman'' (1958) – Jumbo McCall *'' Gunman's Walk'' (1958) – Deputy Sheriff Will Motely *'' A Nice Little Bank That Should Be Robbed'' (1958) – Harold 'Rocky' Baker *'' The Hangman'' (1959) – Al Cruse *'' Ask Any Girl'' (1959) – Mr. Eager – Man Smoking Cigarette (uncredited) *'' Don't Give Up the Ship'' (1959) – Stan Wychinski *'' Edge of Eternity'' (1959) – Scotty O'Brien *'' The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'' (1960) – The Duke *'' College Confidential'' (1960) – Sam Grover *'' Sex Kittens Go to College'' (1960) – Boomie *'' North to Alaska'' (1960) – Peter Boggs *'' Dondi'' (1961) – Sergeant *'' The Big Bankroll'' (1961) – Jim Kelly *''The McGonicle'' (1961 TV movie) – Mac McGonicle *'' Pocketful of Miracles'' (1961) – Junior *'' How the West Was Won'' (1962) – Deputy Stover *''Mickey and the Contessa'' (1963 TV movie) – Mickey Brennan *'' A Global Affair'' (1964) – Police Officer Dugan *'' A House Is Not a Home'' (1964) – Police Sergeant Riordan *'' Never a Dull Moment'' (1968) – Francis *''St. Patrick's Day TV Special'' (1969) *''Vernon's Volunteers'' (1969 TV movie) *'' The Boatniks'' (1970) – Charlie *'' Touched'' (1983) – Himself

Television

*'' Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond'' (1960, episode "The Clown") – Pippo the Clown *'' Maverick'' (1962, episode "Mr. Muldoon's Partner") – Mr. Muldoon *'' The Virginian'' (1962, episode "Big Day, Great Day") – Muldoon (credited as Michael Shaughnessy) *'' Going My Way'' (1963, episode "The Slasher") – Jim Bancroft *'' Laredo'' (1965, episode "Pride of the Rangers") – Monahan *'' The Legend of Jesse James'' (1966, episode "South Wind") – Ab Truxton *'' Run for Your Life'' (1967, episode "Rendezvous in Tokyo") – Morgan *'' The Chicago Teddy Bears'' (1971, three episodes) – Lefty

References

External links

* * *
"My Memories of Mickey Shaughnessy"
by Steve Murray {{DEFAULTSORT:Shaughnessy, Mickey 1920 births 1985 deaths Male actors from New Jersey Male actors from New York (state) American male film actors American male television actors American people of Irish descent Deaths from lung cancer in New Jersey People from Wildwood, New Jersey 20th-century American male actors Actors from Cape May County, New Jersey