Stephen McNally; TV, Film Actor

Stephen McNally, a New York lawyer who became a Hollywood actor best known for a series of detestable characters in such landmark films as “Johnny Belinda,” has died.

McNally, who also appeared regularly on episodic television for many years, was 82 when he died June 4 at his Beverly Hills home, his family said Friday.

A family spokesman said he died of heart failure.

Born Horace Vincent McNally in New York City, McNally got a law degree from Fordham Law School and practiced law for several years before pursuing a childhood dream of acting.

After starring in New York plays, McNally traveled to Los Angeles in 1942 and went on to appear in many classic films, usually as the villain but sometimes as a leading man.

In addition to 1948’s “Johnny Belinda,” McNally’s credits include “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo,” “Criss Cross,” “Winchester ‘73” and “No Way Out.”

In several of his earlier pictures he appeared as Horace McNally; he adopted the name Stephen for “Johnny Belinda” in 1949.

The respected anthology “The Film Encyclopedia” said that McNally “much too often was wasted on minor pictures.”

On television, McNally was a guest star in everything from “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” to “Charlie’s Angels.” He also made numerous television commercials and in 1978 co-starred in the short-lived TV series “W.E.B.”

McNally is survived by his wife, Rita, eight children and eight grandchildren.

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Beverly Hills.