Daniel McDonald, 46; Broadway, TV actor nominated for Tony

Daniel McDonald, 46, an actor who was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the Broadway production of “Steel Pier” by John Kander and Fred Ebb, died Thursday of brain cancer at his home in New York City, according to Jason Brantley, his publicist.

McDonald made his Broadway debut in the 1997 production of “Steel Pier.” A handsome leading man type, he played stunt pilot Bill Kelly. Along with his Tony nomination for best actor, he was also nominated for a Drama Desk Award.

He went on to leading roles in “High Society” (1998) and “Mamma Mia!,” which opened on Broadway in 2001. He was in the national touring cast of “Contact,” the music and dance show, in 2002.

McDonald performed in several off-Broadway productions and in the solo show “Chesterfield,” which he also wrote. He performed it at the Court Theatre in West Hollywood in 1993. The story line offered “a hilarious and ... original look at an unemployed actor,” according to a Los Angeles Times review.

McDonald often worked in television, appearing in such popular series as “Sex and the City” and “Law & Order.”

Born in Scranton, Pa., McDonald studied at the Actors Studio in New York City and became a member. He also studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and at Playhouse West in Los Angeles, among other programs.