Kevin McCarthy, a talented and versatile character actor, enjoyed a remarkable career spanning nearly seven decades, with an impressive portfolio of over 100 film appearances. His impressive physique, chiseled features, and captivating on-screen presence made him a sought-after actor in Hollywood.
Born into a family with a strong literary and political heritage, McCarthy was the younger brother of renowned author Mary McCarthy and distant cousin of former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy. Tragedy struck early in his life when he was orphaned at the age of four, following the death of his parents in the 1918 flu epidemic. He was subsequently raised by his paternal grandparents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and later by an uncle and aunt.
McCarthy's early education took place at Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, where he graduated in 1932. He then attended the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., with the intention of pursuing a career in diplomacy. However, his interests soon shifted to the performing arts, and he went on to study at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and the Actors Studio in New York City.
Throughout his illustrious career, McCarthy appeared in a wide range of film and television productions. He is perhaps best known for his starring role in the cult classic horror film "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1956) and his portrayal of the disillusioned son Biff Loman in the 1951 screen adaptation of Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman," for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and won the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer (Male).
In addition to his film work, McCarthy was a seasoned stage performer, frequently appearing on Broadway. Some of his notable stage credits include starring roles in "Two for the Seesaw" (1959) and "Advise and Consent" (1960),as well as a one-man show as President Harry S. Truman in "Give 'Em Hell, Harry!"
McCarthy's impressive career continued well into his 90s, with his final film appearance being in "The Ghastly Love of Johnny X" (2012),released in 2011, when he was 93 years old. He passed away on September 11, 2010, at the age of 96, due to complications from pneumonia.
