Neal McDonough, born on February 13, 1966, in Dorchester, Massachusetts, is an American actor known for his versatile roles in film and television. But before his acting career took off, McDonough had different aspirations, including a passion for baseball and hockey.
Early Life and Athletic Pursuits
Growing up in Barnstable, Massachusetts, McDonough enjoyed an idyllic childhood. His parents owned a motel, where he worked during the summers. In the winter, he played hockey. He also played baseball and was a "baseball junkie" as a kid. McDonough played college baseball, but he chose acting over pursuing a career in baseball. As a knuckleball pitcher, he was "pretty darn good," but he recognized that his talent would only take him so far. The first movie he did was "Angels in the Outfield."
McDonough graduated from Barnstable High School and attended Syracuse University, where he joined the Sigma Chi Fraternity and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1988.
Transition to Acting
After college, McDonough pursued acting. He studied at the Academy of Dramatic Arts and Sciences in London. He has since appeared in numerous television shows and films.
Notable Roles and Performances
McDonough has built a successful acting career with a wide range of roles. He is known for his roles in "Band of Brothers," "Boomtown," "Desperate Housewives," "Minority Report," "88 Minutes," "Walking Tall," "RED 2," and "Captain America: First Avenger."
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He voiced Bruce Banner in the animated television series "The Incredible Hulk" (1996-1997). In 2011, McDonough appeared as Timothy "Dum Dum" Dugan in "Captain America: The First Avenger." He reprised the role in several subsequent projects, including the short film "Agent Carter" (2013) and episodes of "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." (2014) and "What If...?" (2021).
In 2021, he was cast as President Dwight D. Eisenhower on the tenth season of "American Horror Story," titled "Double Feature."
Shakespeare at Fenway
In a unique blend of sports and theater, McDonough emceed "Shakespeare at Fenway" at Fenway Park. The event featured scenes from various Shakespeare plays and songs inspired by the Bard. McDonough shared his excitement about performing Shakespeare, recalling his time at Syracuse University and in London where Shakespeare was his "go-to, my favorite thing to tackle."
He reminisced about attending ballgames at Fenway Park as a child with his father and siblings.
Personal Values and Career Choices
McDonough is known for his strong Catholic faith, which influences his career choices. He has stated that he refuses to perform sex scenes and kiss female co-stars out of respect for his wife.
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He prefers playing conflicted good guys over outright villains, noting that he enjoys portraying characters with shades of gray. He tries to make villains likable and good guys relatable.
Recent Projects
McDonough continues to be active in film and television. Recent projects include "Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2," episodes of "Suits," and the horror film "Adrian."
Hubie McDonough: A Hockey Career
While Neal McDonough pursued acting, his brother, Hubie McDonough, had a career in professional ice hockey. Hubert “Hubie” McDonough is a retired American professional ice hockey center.
After playing four seasons of NCAA Division II hockey at Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire, McDonough made his professional debut with the International Hockey League’s Flint Spirits in the 1986-87 season. He was never selected in the NHL Entry Draft. McDonough made the National Hockey League in the 1988-89 season, playing in four games with the Los Angeles Kings.
McDonough played 22 more games with the Kings in the 1989-90 season before being traded to the New York Islanders, along with Ken Baumgartner, in exchange for Mikko Mäkelä. After McDonough played 139 games with the Islanders over three seasons, they traded him to the San Jose Sharks for cash before the 1992-93 season.
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McDonough played 30 games with the Sharks that season, and then spent the remainder of his career in the minor leagues: seven seasons in the IHL, including four with the Orlando Solar Bears, and five games of the 2001-02 season in the American Hockey League with his hometown Manchester Monarchs.
NHL Career Statistics
In his NHL career, McDonough appeared in 195 games. He scored 40 goals and added 26 assists. He also appeared in five playoff games with the Islanders in 1990, scoring one goal.
| Season | Team | Games | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988-89 | Los Angeles Kings | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989-90 | Los Angeles Kings | 22 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 1990-91 | New York Islanders | 54 | 14 | 7 | 21 |
| 1991-92 | New York Islanders | 68 | 19 | 15 | 34 |
| 1992-93 | San Jose Sharks | 30 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Total | 195 | 40 | 26 | 66 |
Post-Playing Career
McDonough has been the Director of Hockey Operations for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League since 2001. He held the same position with the Orlando Solar Bears of the International Hockey League for the 2000-01 season, when the team won the Turner Cup. He also was an assistant coach for the Manchester Monarchs in the 2014-2015 season.
McDonough’s college jersey (#3) retired by St. Anselm, 2004. Holds the school’s record in Men’s Hockey for most goals (124) and points (210).