Neil McCarthy | |
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 McCarthy inSteptoe and Son Ride Again (1973) | |
| Born | Eugene Neil McCarthy (1932-07-26)26 July 1932 Lincoln,Lincolnshire, England |
| Died | 5 February 1985(1985-02-05) (aged 52) Fordingbridge,Hampshire, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1959–1982 |
Eugene Neil McCarthy (26 July 1932 – 5 February 1985)[1][2][3] was an English actor known for his dramatic physical appearance caused byacromegaly.[4]
Born inLincoln,Lincolnshire, the son ofSleaford dentist Eugene Charles McCarthy (1899–1954) and Beatrice Annie (née Corney, 1901–1978),[5][6][7][8][9][10] McCarthy was educated atStamford School (where his contemporaries included cricketerM. J. K. Smith and authorColin Dexter) before reading modern languages atTrinity College Dublin, and trained as a Latin and French teacher. He could also speak fluent Greek.[11]
After his teacher training, McCarthy appeared in repertory theatre inOxford, at theEdinburgh Festival Fringe and in theWest End.[11]
McCarthy's film credits include memorable roles as Welsh soldier Private Thomas inZulu (1964), as Sergeant Jock McPherson inWhere Eagles Dare (1967), as Gates inThe Ruffians (1973), as the villain Calibos inClash of the Titans (1981) and as a robber inTime Bandits (1981).[12] His television credits includeBarnaby 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 (A Sense of Movement),Softly, Softly: Task Force,Department S,Who Pays the Ferryman?,Return of the Saint,Doctor Who (in the serialsThe Mind of Evil andThe Power of Kroll),Enemy at the Door,Shogun,The Professionals,Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em,Only When I Laugh,The Gentle Touch andEmmerdale Farm, and the television adaptation of theLord Peter Wimsey novel,The Nine Tailors.
He died ofmotor neurone disease[13] inFordingbridge,Hampshire in 1985, aged 52.[14]
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