Malachy McCourt, the Irish character actor, author, poet, and comedian who appeared on several soaps, including Ryan's Hope and All My Children, passed away on March 11 at the age of 92. According to the Washington Post, his son Conor confirmed his father's death.
McCourt was born in Brooklyn, NY, on September 20, 1931, but he spent his formative years raised in Ireland. He returned to the US in 1952 and began a performing career, eventually making his way into the television business.
In 1975, he landed the role of Kevin MacGuinness on Ryan's Hope and appeared on that soap regularly until 1980 and off and on until 1989. Small roles on Search for Tomorrow and Another World followed. In 1995, McCourt began playing the mysterious Mr. Kenneally, an Irishman involved with Marty Saybrooke and Patrick Thornhart's first mystery together.
From 2004 to 2009, McCourt delighted All My Children fans at Christmas with his various appearances as Father Clarence.
McCourt was also an author, writing the books A Monk Swimming and Singing My Him Song. His brother, Frank McCourt, was the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir Angela's Ashes, as well as its sequels 'Tis and Teacher Man. A Monk Swimming seemed to pick up where Angela's Ashes left off, telling the tale of the McCourt family after Frank left for New York but before Malachy moved.
Once he joined his brother in Manhattan, McCourt opened a bar called Malachy's before turning to the stage and screen. In addition to acting and writing, McCourt also hosted various radio shows through the years.
McCourt entered the political fray in 2006 in a failed bid to become governor of New York on the Green Party ticket.
In 2022, McCourt entered hospice care, but his condition improved, so he was released that same year. The Washington Post reports that he was still hosting a local radio show at the age of 91.
Malachy McCourt is survived by his wife, Diana; his daughter, Siobhann; sons Malachy, Conor, and Cormack; his stepdaughter, Nina; as well as nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
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