Neal McDonough

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox person Neal McDonough (born February 13, 1966) is an American actor. He is known for his portrayal of Lieutenant Lynn "Buck" Compton in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers (2001), Deputy District Attorney David McNorris on Boomtown (2002–2003), Tin Man in the Sci-Fi Channel miniseries Tin Man (2007), Dave Williams in Season 5 of Desperate Housewives (2008–2009), President Dwight D. Eisenhower in American Horror Story: Double Feature (2021) for which his performance was critically acclaimed.

He has also appeared in films such as Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Ravenous (1999), Minority Report (2002), Walking Tall (2004), and as Timothy "Dum Dum" Dugan in various Marvel Cinematic Universe films and TV series. In the DC Arrowverse, he has appeared as Damien Darhk in the TV series Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, and The Flash. He had a major role playing Sean Cahill in Suits (2014–2019) and played Malcolm Beck on Yellowstone (2019). More recently, he has appeared in Tulsa King (2024) from the second season onward.

Early life and education

McDonough was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, on February 13, 1966, the son of Catherine (née Bushe) and Frank McDonough, motel owners who emigrated from Ireland, with his mother coming from County Tipperary and his father from County Galway.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="McDonough1">Template:Cite web</ref> McDonough grew up in Barnstable, Massachusetts and was raised Catholic.<ref name="IrishCentral">Template:Cite web</ref> His childhood nickname was "Headster", which McDonough says originated in his brothers' teasing him about the size of his head.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> He graduated from Barnstable High School, and attended Syracuse University, where he was initiated and became a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1988. He had obtained several college scholarships to play baseball, but decided to go to Syracuse, as he thought it had the best theater department.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> McDonough furthered his classical theatre training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Career

McDonough in 2009

Many television and film appearances since then, including Band of Brothers, Boomtown, Star Trek: First Contact, Minority Report and The Hitcher. McDonough played Dave Williams on the fifth season of Desperate Housewives.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> He also starred in the lead role on 2004 medical drama Medical Investigation for its one full season.

In 1996, McDonough voiced Bruce Banner in the animated television series The Incredible Hulk which ran for two seasons. He later reprised the role in the 2005 video game The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction.

McDonough was set to star in the ABC dramedy Scoundrels,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but was fired for refusing to act in sex scenes, citing his family and Catholic faith as basis for his decision.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

McDonough portrays Jesus in "The Truth & Life Dramatized Audio New Testament Bible," a dramatized audio New Testament which uses the Catholic edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

In 2011, McDonough appeared as Timothy "Dum Dum" Dugan in Captain America: The First Avenger. McDonough also voiced the character in the 2011 video game Captain America: Super Soldier. He reprised his role four times since then: in the 2013 short film, Agent Carter; in the first episode of the second season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2014); in an episode of the Agent Carter television series (2015); and as an alternate version in an episode of the What If...? television series (2021).

In 2012, McDonough had a recurring role in the third season of FX's Justified as Robert Quarles, a sadistic carpetbagging mobster from Detroit.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> He was later cast as Police Chief Parker in Frank Darabont's TNT pilot Mob City.<ref name=Noir>Template:Cite web</ref>

During the 2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony on NBC, McDonough was featured in a high-profile and frequently aired Poolside commercial for the Cadillac ELR hybrid electric car.<ref>Template:Cite video</ref>

In 2015, McDonough was cast as DC Comics villain Damien Darhk on the fourth season of Arrow.<ref>Template:Cite video</ref>

In 2021, he was cast as President Dwight D. Eisenhower on the tenth season of American Horror Story, titled Double Feature. He is a main cast member for the second part of the season. The same year, he also portrayed the character Dr. William Birkin, the lead villain of the popular video game Resident Evil 2, in a live-action film adaptation of the first two Resident Evil games, entitled Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He also played a small role as a side villain Anders in The 100.

In 2022, McDonough was a guest artist and narrator for the 2022 annual Tabernacle Choir Christmas Program.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Throughout his career, McDonough has enjoyed recognition for his various character roles in both film and television, as well as for his voice work in animation and video games. As a result of these accolades, he is especially considered one of the best "bad guy character actors" in the industry.<ref name="Neal McDonough cast in AHS">Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal life

McDonough is a devout Catholic.<ref name="auto">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2003, McDonough married Ruvé Robertson, a South African model whom he met in the United Kingdom while filming Band of Brothers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They have five children.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="People">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

McDonough has stated that he refuses to perform sex scenes and kiss female co-stars because of his faith and respect for his wife. He said he was fired from the TV series Scoundrels for his refusal to perform sex scenes.<ref name="auto" />

McDonough is a Republican, and revealed his political beliefs during his eulogy at Buck Compton's funeral.<ref name=FN>Template:Cite web</ref>

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1990	Darkman	Dockworker #2
1994	Angels in the Outfield	Whit Bass
1995	Three Wishes	Policeman
	One Tough Bastard	Agent Ward
1996	Star Trek: First Contact	Lt. Hawk
1997	Fire Down Below	Truck Driver at Truck Stop
	Circles	Brian Miano
1999	A Perfect Little Man	Billy Morrisson
	Ravenous	Reich
	You're Killing Me...	Peter Gish
2002	Minority Report	Officer Gordon "Fletch" Fletcher
2003	Timeline	Frank Gordon
	They Call Him Sasquatch	Ned Dwyer
2004	Walking Tall	Jay Hamilton
2006	The Guardian	Chief Petty Officer Jack Skinner
	The Last Time	Hurly
	Flags of Our Fathers	Captain Dave Severance
	Machine	Jack Ford
2007	The Hitcher	Lieutenant Esteridge
	I Know Who Killed Me	Daniel Fleming
2008	Forever Strong	Coach Richard Penning
	88 Minutes	Jon Forster
	Traitor	FBI Agent Max Archer
2009	Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li	M. Bison
2010	DC Showcase: Green Arrow	Green Arrow / Oliver Queen	Voice; short film<ref name="btva2">Template:Cite web A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
2011	Little Birds	Hogan
	Ticking Clock	James Keene
	Captain America: The First Avenger	Timothy "Dum Dum" Dugan	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2012	The Philly Kid	Jim "L.A. Jim" Jacoby	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2013	Company of Heroes	Lieutenant Joe Conti	Direct-to-video<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	The Marine 3: Homefront	Jonah Pope
	Red 2	Jack Horton	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Agent Carter	Timothy "Dum Dum" Dugan	Short film<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2014	Bad Country	Kiersey
	Batman: Assault on Arkham	Floyd Lawton / Deadshot	Voice; direct-to-video<ref name="btva2" />
	Falcon Rising	Manny Ridley	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2015	Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2	Vincent Sofel	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	The Unspoken	Officer Bower	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2016	Greater	Marty Burlsworth	Also executive producer<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2017	1922	Harlan Cotterie	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2018	Proud Mary	Walter	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Game Over, Man!	Conrad Drothers	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2019	Buddy Games	Himself
2020	Sonic the Hedgehog	Major Bennington	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	The Warrant	John Breaker	Also executive producer<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Red Stone	Boon
	Monsters of Man	Major
2021	Apex	Samuel Rainsford	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City	William Birkin	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Red Stone	Boon	Also writer and producer<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2022	Boon
	There Are No Saints	Vincent	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist	Jonathan Stonagal	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	O Holy Night	Guest Narrator	Also a live Christmas album
2023	The Shift	The Benefactor	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Holiday Twist	Skip	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Soul Mates	Matchmaker	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	The Warrant: Breaker's Law	John Breaker	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2024	Outlaw Posse	Bart	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Homestead	Ian Ross	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2025	Skillhouse	Brandon Vega
	The Last Rodeo	Joe Wainright	Also writer and producer<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Guns & Moses	Mayor Donovan Kirk
	The Gettysburg Address	Charles Sumner	Voice; documentary
TBA	The Monster	Template:TableTBA	Filming
TBA	Black Spartans	Template:TableTBA	Postproduction

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1991	China Beach	Lurch	Episode: "Hello Goodbye"
	Quantum Leap	Chucky	Episode: "Play Ball"
	Babe Ruth	Lou Gehrig	Television film
1993	In the Line of Duty: Ambush in Waco	Jason	Television film
1994	Duckman	IRS Agent	Voice, episode: "Not So Easy Riders"
	Aaahh!!! Real Monsters	Cameraman, Monster	Voice, episode: "Krumm Goes Hollywood"<ref name="btva2" />
1995	Blue River	Edward Sellars	Television film
	JAG	Second Lieutenant Jay Williams	Episode "Desert Son"
	White Dwarf	Dr. Driscoll Rampart III	Television film
	Iron Man	Firebrand	Voice, episode: "Fire and Rain"<ref name="btva2" />
1996	Murphy Brown	Clive Walker	Episode: "If You're Going to Talk the Talk"
	NYPD Blue	Jerry Selness	Episode: "He's Not Guilty, He's My Brother"
1996–1997	The Incredible Hulk	Bruce Banner	Voice, 21 episodes<ref name="btva2" />
1997	Invasion	Randy North	TV miniseries
1998	Diagnosis: Murder	Ross Canin	2 episodes
1999	Martial Law	Kyle Strode	4 episodes
	Balloon Farm	Sheriff	Television film
	Just Shoot Me!	Craig	Episode: "Shaking Private Trainer"
	Profiler	Christoper Langston	Episode: "To Serve and Protect"
2001	Band of Brothers	First Lieutenant Lynn "Buck" Compton	8 episodes
2002	The X-Files	Agent Comer	2 episodes
2002–2003	Boomtown	L.A. Deputy D.A. David McNorris	24 episodes
2004–2005	Medical Investigation	Dr. Stephen Connor	20 episodes
2007	Traveler	Secretary of Homeland Security Jack Freed	6 episodes
	Tin Man	Wyatt Cain (Tin Man)	3 episodes
2008–2009	Desperate Housewives	Dave Williams	24 episodes
2010	Terriers	Ford / Tom Cutshaw	2 episodes
2011	Law & Order: Criminal Intent	Monsignor McTeal	Episode: "The Consoler"
2012	Justified	Robert Quarles	13 episodes
	CSI: NY	Senator Gordon Hamilton	Episode: "Unspoken"
	Perception	Fredrick James Dafoe	Episode: "Cipher"
2013	CSI: Crime Scene Investigation	Tommy Barnes	Episode: "Sheltered"
	Mob City	Captain Bill Parker	6 episodes
2014–2019	Suits	Sean Cahill	17 episodes
2014	Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.	Timothy "Dum Dum" Dugan	Episode: "Shadows"
2015	Agent Carter		Episode: "The Iron Ceiling"
	Public Morals	Rusty Patton	9 episodes
2015–2016	Arrow	Damien Darhk	20 episodes<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2015–2022	The Flash		4 episodes<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2016–2020	Legends of Tomorrow		21 episodes<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2017	Rogue	Casey Oaks	5 episodes
	Survivor's Remorse	Brian	Episode: "Repercussions"
2018–2021	Van Helsing	Hansen / Willem	9 episodes<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2019–2020	Project Blue Book	General James Harding	18 episodes<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2019	Yellowstone	Malcolm Beck	6 episodes<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2020	Altered Carbon	Konrad Harlan	3 episodes
	The 100	Anders	5 episodes
2021	What If...?	Timothy "Dum Dum" Dugan	Voice, episode: "What If... Captain Carter Were the First Avenger?"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="btva2" />
	American Horror Story: Double Feature	Dwight D. Eisenhower	Main cast (4 episodes)<ref name="Neal McDonough cast in AHS" />
2022	9-1-1: Lone Star	Sergeant Ty O'Brien	7 episodes<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2024	Tulsa King	Cal Thresher	Main role (season 2-3)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Video games

Year	Title	Voice role	Notes
2005	The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction	Bruce Banner	<ref name="btva2" />
2009	Rogue Warrior	Admiral Travis Payton	<ref name="btva2" />
2011	Captain America: Super Soldier	Timothy 'Dum Dum' Dugan	<ref name="btva2" />
2013	Injustice: Gods Among Us	The Flash, Damian Wayne / Nightwing, Regime Soldier #2	<ref name="btva2" />
2015	Skylanders: SuperChargers	Astroblast	<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref>
	Call of Duty: Black Ops III	Jack Vincent	Also likeness

Internet

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2015	If Angels In The Outfield Happened For Real (30 For 30 Parody)	Whit Bass	CollegeHumor sketch

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Award category	Title of work	Result
1999	Atlantic City Film Festival	Best Actor (Jury Award)	A Perfect Little Man	Template:Won
Online Film & Television Association Award<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series	Boomtown	rowspan="2" Template:Nom
Television Critics Association Award	Individual Achievement in Drama
Satellite Award	Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series – Drama		Template:Won
2008	Screen Actors Guild Award	Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series	Desperate Housewives	rowspan="2" Template:Nom
2012	Critics' Choice Television Award	Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series	Justified
	Satellite Award	Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film		Template:Won

External links

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