Ray McAnally was an Irish character actor who left an indelible mark on the stage and screen. Despite his relatively short career, he is remembered fondly by audiences worldwide for his remarkable performances in a few films towards the end of his life.
Born on March 30, 1926, in the charming seaside town of Buncrana, McAnally was the son of a bank manager and attended St. Eunan's College. At the age of 18, he entered a seminary, only to depart after a brief stint. This unexpected turn of events would ultimately lead him to pursue a career in the arts.
In 1947, McAnally joined the renowned Abbey Theatre, where he met and married actress Ronnie Masterson. Together, they had four children and later founded Old Quay Productions, presenting a range of classic plays in the 1960s and 1970s. His London theatre debut in 1962, starring in "A Nice Bunch of Cheap Flowers," was met with critical acclaim, and his performance as George in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" opposite Constance Cummings at the Piccadilly Theatre was particularly noteworthy.
Throughout his career, McAnally continued to act in the Abbey and Irish festivals, but it was his later work in television and film that earned him widespread recognition and numerous awards. His film debut came with a starring role in the obscure Irish romantic comedy Professor Tim (1957),followed by appearances in She Didn't Say No (1958),Desert Patrol (1958),The Naked Edge (1961),Billy Budd (1962),and He Who Rides a Tiger (1965).
McAnally's transition to television was marked by his roles in two crime series, Spindoe (1968) and The Burke Enigma (1978),as well as notable performances in mini-series such as Pollyanna (1973),A Perfect Spy (1987),A Very British Coup (1988),Jack the Ripper (1988),and Great Expectations (1989),in which he played the iconic character Mr. Jaggers.
In the years leading up to his untimely death, McAnally's performances continued to garner attention and accolades. His portrayal of Cardinal Altamirano in The Mission (1986) earned him both Evening Standard and BAFTA awards, and his role in the BBC production of A Perfect Spy (1987) earned another BAFTA award. His final film appearance was in the Academy Award-winning My Left Foot (1989),in which he played the father of Daniel Day-Lewis's character, Christy Brown, a cerebral palsy victim who overcame his disability to become a successful artist and writer.
Tragically, McAnally passed away suddenly of a heart attack in Ireland on June 15, 1989, at the age of 63. He received a posthumous BAFTA award for his work in My Left Foot in 1990, a fitting tribute to his remarkable talent and enduring legacy.
