Horace McMahon
Biography
Horace McMahon was an American actor born in South Norwalk, Connecticut on May 17, 1906, and died on August 17, 1971 at the age of 65. He developed an interest in acting while studying at Fordham University School of Law. During his early career, he frequently portrayed thugs or jailbirds and became known as one of Hollywood's favorite heavies. In 1949, he starred in his most acclaimed role as Lieutenant Monaghan in the drama play Detective Story, later reprising the character in Paramount Pictures' 1951 film version alongside Kirk Douglas and Eleanor Parker. McMahon also appeared on television, starring in the ABC police series Naked City as Lieutenant Mike Parker, and is known for his work in other television programs including The Twilight Zone.
Career overview
Horace McMahon was an American actor born in South Norwalk, Connecticut on May 17, 1906. He became interested in acting while he was a student at Fordham University School of Law. During his early career, he mostly played thugs or jailbirds and became known as one of Hollywood's favorite heavies.
In 1949, McMahon starred in his most acclaimed role as Lieutenant Monaghan in the drama play Detective Story. He later reprised this character in 1951 for the Paramount Pictures film version of Detective Story, working alongside Kirk Douglas and Eleanor Parker.
McMahon also worked extensively in television. He starred in the ABC police series Naked City, playing Lieutenant Mike Parker, who was characterized as a gruff, no-nonsense, but warmhearted cop's cop. Over the course of his career, McMahon accumulated 110 known credits in film and television, including appearances in productions such as The Twilight Zone, The Phil Silvers Show, and Jackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine. He passed away on August 17, 1971 at the age of 65.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Horace McMahon.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
113 titles- Make Room for Granddaddy (1970)
- The Detective (1968) as Capt. Tom Farrell
- Batman (1966) as Glu Gluten (uncredited)
- Family Affair (1966)
- The Swinger (1966) as Detective Sergeant Hooker
- Mr. Broadway (1964)
- The Polo Grounds: Requiem for an Arena (1964) as Self - Host / Self - Narrator
- Run To Daylight (1964) as Narrator
- Jackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine (1962) as Agnes' Father
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- The Defenders (1961) as District Attorney
- Route 66 (1960)
- The Twilight Zone (1959) as Bartender
- Bourbon Street Beat (1959)
- The Alaskans (1959)
- New York Confidential (1959)
- Never Steal Anything Small (1959) as O.K. Merritt
- What Makes Sammy Run? (1959) as Mike Crowley
- Naked City (1958) as Mike Parker
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958)
- Bronco (1958) as Marshal Tom Merrick
- Sugarfoot (1957) as Cornelius Cameron
- The Delicate Delinquent (1957) as Capt. Riley
- Beau James (1957) as Prosecutor
- The 20th Century Fox Hour (1955) as Rick Vega
- Blackboard Jungle (1955) as Detective
- My Sister Eileen (1955) as Officer Lonigan
- Texas Lady (1955) as Stringer Winfield
- Father Knows Best (1954) as Bick Norton
- Climax! (1954) as Detective
- The Lone Wolf (1954) as Detective Stillman
- Susan Slept Here (1954) as Sergeant Monty Maizel
- Duffy of San Quentin (1954) as Pierson
- Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953) as Mugsy
- Man in the Dark (1953) as Arnie
- Champ for a Day (1953) as Sam Benton
- Fast Company (1953) as 'Two Pair' Buford
- Four Star Playhouse (1952) as Chick
- The Ford Television Theatre (1952) as Benny Grew
- The Ford Television Theatre (1952)
- The Ford Television Theatre (1952) as Lieutenant Waldo
- The Ford Television Theatre (1952) as Gibson
- The Red Skelton Show (1951) as Member of Bar Association (uncredited)
- Tales of Tomorrow (1951)
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951)
- Detective Story (1951) as Lt. Monaghan
- Robert Montgomery Presents (1950)
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Capt. Hodges
- Lights Out (1949)
- Martin Kane, Private Eye (1949)
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- Waterfront at Midnight (1948) as Hank Bremmer
- Joe Palooka in Fighting Mad (1948) as Looie
- Timber Queen (1944) as Rodney
- Stage Door Canteen (1943) as Horace MacMahon
- Dangerous Blondes (1943) as Hoodlum (uncredited)
- Good Luck, Mr. Yates (1943) as Truck Driver
- Jail House Blues (1942) as Swifty
- Come Live with Me (1941) as Taxi Driver
- Lady Scarface (1941) as Mullen
- Rookies on Parade (1941) as Tiger Brannigan
- Birth of the Blues (1941) as Wolf
- Buy Me That Town (1941) as Fingers Flint
- The Stork Pays Off (1941) as Ears-to-the-Ground Hinkle
- My Favorite Wife (1940) as Truck Driver Giving Lift to Ellen (uncredited)
- Dr. Kildare's Strange Case (1940) as Fog Horn
- The Ghost Comes Home (1940) as Dave - the Nightclub Manager (uncredited)
- Melody Ranch (1940) as Bud Wildhack
- We Who Are Young (1940) as Foreman
- The Bride Wore Crutches (1940) as Brains
- Dr. Kildare's Crisis (1940) as Foghorn Murphy
- Dr. Kildare Goes Home (1940) as Foghorn Murphy (uncredited)
- Gangs of Chicago (1940) as Cry-Baby
- The Leather Pushers (1940) as Slugger Mears
- Millionaires in Prison (1940) as Sylvester Odgen 'SOS' Schofield (as Horace MacMahon)
- I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby (1940) as Bugs
- The Golden Fleecing (1940) as Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- Oh, Johnny, How You Can Love! (1940) as 'Lefty' Hodges - Bank Robber
- The Marines Fly High (1940) as Sgt. Monk O'Hara
- Another Thin Man (1939) as MacFay's Chauffeur (uncredited)
- That's Right – You're Wrong (1939) as Hood (Uncredited)
- Laugh It Off (1939) as Phil Ferrranti
- Rose of Washington Square (1939) as Irving
- Bachelor Mother (1939) as Dance Floor Official (uncredited)
- Calling Dr. Kildare (1939) as Fog Horn - Taxi Driver (uncredited)
- The Gracie Allen Murder Case (1939) as Gus
- Sergeant Madden (1939) as Philadelphia
- Pride of the Navy (1939) as Gloomey Kelly
- Big Town Czar (1939) as Punchy
- Sabotage (1939) as Art Kruger
- Pirates of the Skies (1939)
- She Married a Cop (1939) as Joe Nash
- I Was a Convict (1939) as Missouri Smith
- Marie Antoinette (1938) as Rabblerouser (uncredited)
- Ladies in Distress (1938) as 2nd Thug
- Federal Man-Hunt (1938) as Snuffy Deegan
- Secrets of a Nurse (1938) as Larry Carson
- The Crowd Roars (1938) as Rocky Simpson (uncredited)
- Fast Company (1938) as Danny Scolado (as Horace MacMahon)
- Newsboys' Home (1938) as Bartsch
- King of the Newsboys (1938) as Lockjaw
- Wanted by the Police (1938) as Russo's Chief Henchman
- Broadway Musketeers (1938) as Gurk
- When G-Men Step In (1938) as Jennings
- Tenth Avenue Kid (1938) as Max Hooker
- Kid Galahad (1937) as Reporter at Press Conference (uncredited)
- They Gave Him a Gun (1937) as Prison Inmate (uncredited)
- A Girl with Ideas (1937) as Al
- Public Wedding (1937) as Reporter
- The Wrong Road (1937) as Blackie Clayton
- Navy Blues (1937) as Gateleg
- Exclusive (1937) as Beak McArdle
- The Officer's Mess (1935) as Soldier (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Horace McMahon best known for?
Horace McMahon is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Detective (1968), Batman (1966), Poseidon (2006), The Swinger (1966).
When and where was Horace McMahon born?
Horace McMahon was born on May 17, 1906 in South Norwalk, Connecticut, USA. They passed away on August 17, 1971.
How many credits does Horace McMahon have?
Horace McMahon has accumulated over 113 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1935 to 1970.
What is Horace McMahon's background in cinema and television?
Horace McMahon was an American actor born in South Norwalk, Connecticut on May 17, 1906, and died on August 17, 1971 at the age of 65. He developed an interest in acting while studying at Fordham University School of Law. During his early career, he frequently portrayed thugs or jailbirds and became known as one of Hol...
Horace McMahon by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Twilight Zone (1959) as Bartender — aged about 53
- The Ford Television Theatre (1952) as Benny Grew — aged about 46
- The Ford Television Theatre (1952) — aged about 46
- The Ford Television Theatre (1952) as Lieutenant Waldo — aged about 46
- The Ford Television Theatre (1952) as Gibson — aged about 46
- The Red Skelton Show (1951) as Member of Bar Association (uncredited) — aged about 45
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on Horace McMahon.