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Malachy McCourt

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Malachy McCourt
McCourt in 2011
Born
Malachy Gerard McCourt

(1931-09-20)September 20, 1931
New York City,New York,U.S.
DiedMarch 11, 2024(2024-03-11)(aged 92)
New York City,New York, U.S.
Citizenship
  • United States
  • Ireland
Occupations
  • Actor
  • writer
Political partyGreen Party of New York
Spouses
  • Linda Wachsman
    ​
    ​
    (m.1958;div.1961)​
  • Diana Galin
    ​
    (m.1965)​
Children4
Relatives

Malachy Gerard McCourt(September 20, 1931 – March 11, 2024) was an American actor, writer and politician. Born inBrooklyn,McCourt appeared in several films and soap operas, includingThe Molly Maguires,Brewster's Millions(1985),andAnother World.He also wrote three memoirs, describing his life inIrelandand in theUnited States.McCourt was the 2006Green Partycandidate forgovernor of New York,losing to theDemocraticcandidateEliot Spitzer.He was the younger brother of authorFrank McCourt.

Early life

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Malachy Gerard McCourt was born inBrooklynon September 20, 1931, the son of Irish parents Angela (née Sheehan) and Malachy Gerard McCourt Sr.[1][2]By the time of his death in 2024, he was the longest-lived of their seven offspring, following the death of his younger brotherAlphonsusin 2016.[3]McCourt was raised inLimerick,Ireland, and returned to the United States in 1952.[1]

Career

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McCourt at his home in 2007

McCourt acted on stage, on television and in several movies, includingThe Molly Maguires(1970),The Brink's Job(1978),Q(1982),Brewster's Millions(1985),Tales from the Darkside(1985),The January Man(1989),Beyond the Pale(2000), andAsh Wednesday(2002).[4][5][6]He appeared on several New York City-based soap operas:Another World,Ryan's Hope,Search for Tomorrow,andOne Life to Live.[7]He is also known for his annual Christmas-time appearances onAll My Childrenas Father Clarence, a priest who shows up to give inspirational advice toPine Valleycitizens.[8][9]

In 1970, McCourt released a spoken word album on vinyl,And the Children Toll the Passing of the Day,which was produced byDavid Hess.[10]

In the 1970s, he hosted a talk show onWMCA.[11]

McCourt occasionally appeared on various programs on New York City's political radio station,WBAI,as late as 2023.[12]Among the shows on which he appeared wereRadio Free Éireann.[13]He was also a regular guest artist at Scranton Public Theatre inScranton, Pennsylvania,having performed inInherit the Wind,Love Letters,andA Couple of Blaguards,which he co-wrote with brotherFrank McCourt.[14]He hosted a Sunday morning call-in radio forum on WBAI. He also had a short-lived role asa Catholic prieston theHBOprison dramaOz.[6]McCourt playedFrancis Preston BlairinGods and Generals(2003).[15]

McCourt was the owner of Malachy's, a bar onThird Avenuein New York City.[1]One of his frequent patrons was his friend the actorRichard Harris,who worked for a short time behind the bar for McCourt.[16]

Writing

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McCourt visitingBarnes & NobleTribeca's yearly tribute toJames Joyce
McCourt readingJames Joyceto an audience atBarnes & NobleinTribeca

McCourt wrote three memoirs,A Monk Swimming,Death be Not Fatal,andSinging My Him Song,all of which detail respectively his life in Ireland and his later return to the United States.[8]He also authored a book on the history of theballad"Danny Boy",and put together a collection of Irish writings, calledVoices of Ireland.[8]

Politics

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In April 2006, McCourt announced that he would seek to becomegovernor of New Yorkin theNovember 2006 electionas a Green Party candidate. Running under the slogan "Don't waste your vote, give it to me", McCourt promised to recall theNew York National Guardfrom Iraq, to make public education free through college, and to institute a statewide comprehensive "sickness care" system. McCourt polled at 5% in a October 10Zogbypoll, versus 25% for RepublicanJohn Fasoand 63% for Democrat Eliot Spitzer.[17]McCourt was endorsed byCindy Sheehan,mother of a fallen soldier in theIraq War.[18][19]TheLeague of Women Votersexcluded him from the gubernatorial debate because he had less than 10% of support in a public opinion poll.[20]He placed third in the general election, receiving 40,000 votes, or nearly 1%, losing toDemocratEliot Spitzer.[1][21]

Personal life

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McCourt married Linda Wachsman, and had two children with her: daughter Siobhán and son Malachy III; he had two more children by his second wife, Diana Galin: sons Conor and Cormac.[22]He also has a stepdaughter, Nina Galin.[23][24]

In 1960, he was one of the four founding members of the Manhattan Rugby Football Club.[25]Malachy appears in his older brother Frank McCourt's memoirs. He was portrayed by Peter Halpin in the film version of his brother's memoirAngela's Ashes.[26]

In 2023, McCourt toldThe New York Timesthat he was ill with a number of health problems, including a heart condition,skin cancer,prostate cancerand a form of muscular degeneration.[12]He died atLenox Hill Hospitalon March 11, 2024, at the age of 92.[1][27][28]

Books

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  • Death Need Not Be Fatalwith Brian McDonald (2017), Center Street,ISBN9781478917052,OL34896470M
  • "I Am Not Myself at All" —essay inThe Face in the Mirror: Writers Reflect on Their Dreams of Youth and the Reality of Age(2009), Victoria Zackheim, editor; Prometheus Books,ISBN978-1-59102-752-2
  • Bush Lies in State(2004), Sensei Publications,ISBN0-9755746-0-4
  • Harold Be Thy Name: Lighthearted Daily Reflections for People in Recovery(2004), Carhil Ventures,ISBN978-1-56649-296-6
  • History of Ireland(2004), Running Press,ISBN978-0-7624-3181-6
  • The Claddagh Ring: Ireland's Cherished Symbol Of Friendship, Loyalty And Love(2003), Running Press,ISBN0-7624-2014-6
  • Danny Boy: The Legend of the Beloved Irish Ballad(2003), New American Library,ISBN0-451-20806-4
  • Voices of Ireland: Classic Writings of a Rich and Rare Land(2002), Running Press,ISBN0-7624-1701-3
  • Singing My Him Song(2000), HarperCollins,ISBN978-0-06-019593-9
  • A Monk Swimming:A Memoir (1998), Hyperion,ISBN0-7868-6398-6
  • Through Irish Eyes: A Visual Companion to Angela McCourt's Ireland(1998), Smithmark Publishing,ISBN978-0-7651-0887-6

References

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  1. ^abcdeRoberts, Sam(March 11, 2024)."Malachy McCourt, Actor, Memoirist and Gadabout, Dies at 92".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2024.RetrievedMarch 11,2024.
  2. ^Dunleavey, M. P. (August 24, 1997)."Another Angle on the Family McCourt".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Archivedfrom the original on April 24, 2019.RetrievedJanuary 29,2018.
  3. ^Hayes, Kathryn (July 3, 2016)."Alphie McCourt, brother of Frank McCourt, dies aged 75".The Irish Times.Archivedfrom the original on February 21, 2024.RetrievedFebruary 20,2024.
  4. ^"Malachy McCourt".Rotten Tomatoes.Archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2024.RetrievedMarch 18,2024.
  5. ^"The January Man".TVGuide.RetrievedMarch 18,2024.
  6. ^ab"Malachy McCourt, brother of the Angela's Ashes author and a well-known New York hellraiser – obituary".The Daily Telegraph.March 14, 2024.ISSN0307-1235.Archivedfrom the original on March 17, 2024.RetrievedMarch 18,2024.
  7. ^Evans, Greg (March 11, 2024)."Malachy McCourt Dies: 'Ryan's Hope' Actor, Brother Of 'Angela's Ashes' Author Frank McCourt Was 92".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on March 18, 2024.RetrievedMarch 18,2024.
  8. ^abcGoldsmith, Margie (November 17, 2022)."91-Year-Old Irish American, Malachy McCourt, Going Stronger Than Ever".Forbes.Archivedfrom the original on March 18, 2024.RetrievedMarch 18,2024.
  9. ^Strauss, Tracy L. (September 22, 2010)."Malachy McCourt to hold court at the Somerville News Writers Festival Nov. 13, 2010".The Somerville Times.RetrievedMarch 18,2024.
  10. ^"Stereo Review"(PDF).worldhistoryradio.November 1970.Archived(PDF)from the original on February 15, 2024.RetrievedMarch 18,2024.
  11. ^Foley, Dylan (March 30, 1998)."Up Next From McCourt Inc.: Brother Malachy's Memoirs".Observer.Archivedfrom the original on March 12, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 29,2018.
  12. ^abShapiro, Laurie Gwen (March 12, 2023)."Malachy McCourt Still Has a Few Stories Left to Tell".The New York Times.p. MB1.Archivedfrom the original on January 10, 2024.RetrievedMarch 11,2024.
  13. ^"Radio Free Eireann".The Irish Gazette.April 11, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on May 28, 2023.RetrievedMarch 18,2024.
  14. ^Smith, Sherri E. (March 11, 2024)."Malachy McCourt Died: The Search For Tomorrow & Ryan's Hope Alum Passed After A Long Illness".Yahoo!.Archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2024.RetrievedMarch 18,2024.
  15. ^Lenker, Mauren Lee (March 12, 2024)."Malachy McCourt, memoirist and actor on soap opera" Ryan's Hope ", dies at 92".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on March 18, 2024.RetrievedMarch 18,2024– viaYahoo Sports.
  16. ^Sweeney, Tanya (August 18, 2019)."Malachy McCourt: 'Frank wouldn't be happy unless he was miserable'".The Irish Times.Archivedfrom the original on October 28, 2023.RetrievedMarch 18,2024.
  17. ^"Zogby Poll: Dems on Top in Major New York Races".Zogby International. October 10, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon January 3, 2007.RetrievedNovember 1,2006.
  18. ^Benjamin, Elizabeth (October 3, 2006)."Peace Mom For McCourt".Times Union.Albany, New York. Archived fromthe originalon November 26, 2006.RetrievedNovember 5,2006.
  19. ^http://gpnys.dreamhosters /?p=312[dead link]
  20. ^"Green Party Candidates McCourt and Duncan Tour State, Debate Exclusion Fires Resolve to Reach Voters".Green Party of the United States. October 3, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon June 18, 2013.RetrievedJune 30,2013.
  21. ^Greene, Leonard (March 11, 2024)."Malachy McCourt, Irish-American actor and author, dead at 92".New York Daily News.Archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2024.RetrievedMarch 18,2024.
  22. ^Shapiro, Laurie Gwen (March 10, 2023)."Kicked Out of Hospice, Malachy McCourt Wants One Last St. Patrick's Day".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on January 10, 2024.RetrievedFebruary 20,2024.
  23. ^Witchel, Alex (July 29, 1998)."AT LUNCH WITH: Malachy McCourt – How a Rogue Turns Himself Into a Saint; The Blarney Fails to Hide an Emotional Directness".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on February 21, 2024.RetrievedFebruary 20,2024.
  24. ^Dewan, Shaila K. (May 3, 2000)."Recalling a Victory for the Disabled".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on February 21, 2024.RetrievedFebruary 21,2024.
  25. ^Freeman, Allyn (October 19, 2017)."Down Memory Lane – New York City Rugby 1975".Rugby Today.Archived fromthe originalon January 30, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 29,2018.
  26. ^"Malachy McCourt Book is Reissued".The Irish Examiner.August 4, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on December 7, 2023.RetrievedMarch 18,2024.
  27. ^"Irish-American actor raised in Limerick has died".Live95 FM. March 11, 2024.Archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2024.RetrievedMarch 11,2024.
  28. ^Humm, Andy (March 19, 2024)."Malachy McCourt, staunch, passionate, and colorful LGBTQ ally, dies at 92".Gay City News.RetrievedMarch 29,2024.
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Party political offices
Preceded by Green Party Nominee forGovernor of New York
2006 		Succeeded by
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