Desmond McNamara (29 April 1938 – 7 June 2022) was an English actor on the stage, radio, television and film.
McNamara was born on 29 April 1938 in Hackney, London, to Arthur and Winifred McNamara. He took on National Service in the RAF before becoming a printer. In 1961, he married Pam Bentley, and they had two sons..
From 1966, he trained at RADA before joining Birmingham Repertory Company, then the Young Vic in 1970, then the Royal National Theatre, followed by an extensive theatre career ranging from the lead in Oliver Goldsmith's The Good Natured Man at the Old Vic in 1971 to the part of Merlin in Camelot in 1996.
Films included The Great Paper Chase (1986), Staggered (1994), Shakespeare in Love (1998) and Lucky Break (2001).
Television appearances included Hazell, The Bill, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Fortunes of War, Roll Over Beethoven, and All at No 20.
McNamara died in Homerton University Hospital, Hackney, London on 7 June 2022, aged 84 from pneumonia and influenza. At the time of his death, he was also suffering from dementia.
Filmography
Film YearTitleRoleNotes1976Adventures of a Taxi DriverFirst Robber1994StaggeredTraffic Policeman1994A Pin for the ButterflyCrazy Old ManCredited as Des McNamara1998Shakespeare in LoveCrier2001Lucky BreakArthur2006The SpotterMr. JacksonShort film
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1970Nearest and DearestWaiterEpisode: "When Love Walks In"1970ITV Sunday Night TheatreGuildensternEpisode: "Hamlet"1975Carry on LaughingMinstrel2 episodes1978BBC Play of the MonthEric SwashEpisode: "Flint"1976–1978Crown CourtGeorge Mitchell Sgt. Beale4 episodes1978–1979HazellCousin Tel15 episodes1979Charles Endell EsquireSleeper AttendantEpisode: "Glasgow Belongs to Me"1979Saint JoanEnglish soldierTelevision film1980ITV PlayhouseFrankEpisode: "Visitors for Anderson"1981Play for TodayDonald MorganEpisode: "The Sin Bin"1981KinvigCharleyEpisode: "The Big Benders"1981Only Fools and HorsesEarlEpisode: "Christmas Crackers"1982The Gentle TouchMicky ScottEpisode: "Vigill"1983JuryJohn Bannister13 episodes1984The Kit Curran Radio ShowMr. BickleyEpisode: "Election Fever"1984The Adventures of Sherlock HolmesJohn HornerEpisode: "The Blue Carbuncle"1984Travelling ManJimmy NolanEpisode: "Grasser"1985Dempsey and MakepeaceCharlie WilsonEpisode: "Blind Eye"1985C.A.T.S. EyesBinksEpisode: "Cross My Palm with Silver"1985Roll Over BeethovenLem13 episodes1985Tucker's LuckMr. Wilson2 episodes1986Running ScaredMick Prescott6 episodes1986Starting OutMr. Barnes2 episodes1986Big DealDes ParsonsEpisode: "Tuppence Coloured"1986The Great Paper ChaseLovelaceTelevision film1987BergeracReporterEpisode: "The Deadly Virus"1987A Dorothy L. Sayers MysteryPadgett3 episodes1987Fortunes of WarGalpin3 episodes1987All at No 20Frankie2 episodes1987Vanity FairCapt. MacMurdoEpisode: "After the Battle"1988Hard CasesFast Eddie Finnegan2 episodes1988King and CastleTony BatesEpisode: "Dim Sums"1988Les GirlsJimmyEpisode: "Old Fruit"1988South of the BorderAirport security guardEpisode: #1.21989Close to HomePuppy ownerEpisode: "The Contract"1988–1989Streets ApartCliff12 episodes1990The ChiefTerry SalterEpisode: #1.41990This Is David HarperColin FoleyEpisode: "Partners in Crime?"1991Five Children and ItMr. PeasmarshEpisode: "Episode Two"1991Birds of a FeatherDesmondEpisode: "Favour of the Month"1982–1994MinderGossip Les Reggie3 episodes1994Pie in the SkyMr LoweEpisode: "Endangered Species"1995The PlantPaulTelevision film1995WycliffeBill Marrack (as Des McNamara)Episode: "Wild Oats"1997Animal ArkErnie BellEpisode: "Goat in the Garden"1999Miami 7Caretaker (as Des McNamara)Episode: "Take Off"1999Maisie RaineTom BakerEpisode: "European Forty Five"1998–2000CasualtyBert Tom Logan2 episodes2003The Last DetectiveBlockEpisode: "Pilot"2004Doctors and NursesHarryEpisode: "Seeing Stars"2004EastEndersBob3 episodes1988–2005The BillVarious9 episodes2005DoctorsReg JohnsonEpisode: "The Hand That Feeds You"
References
External links