Joseph C. Shaughnessy (August 5, 1920 – July 23, 1985), better known as Mickey Shaughnessy, was an American actor and comedian.

Early life

Joseph C. Shaughnessy was born in New York City. He began in show business working as a singer at resorts, and became a comedian when he saw that the pay was better. He also was a

Golden Gloves The Golden Gloves is the name given to annual competitions for amateur boxing in the United States, where they are awarded a belt and a ring. And the title of nations champion is awarded. The Golden Gloves is a term used to refer to the Nation ...

boxer. He served in

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

and appeared in a

U.S. Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cl ...

revue called "Stars and Gripes". After the war, a Columbia Pictures producer saw him performing on stage and offered him a

screen test A screen test is a method of determining the suitability of an actor or actress for performing on film or in a particular role. The performer is generally given a scene, or selected lines and actions, and instructed to perform in front of a came ...

. His screen debut was in the 1952 film ''

The Marrying Kind ''The Marrying Kind'' is a 1952 comedy-drama film directed by George Cukor, starring Judy Holliday and Aldo Ray. Other cast members include John Alexander, Charles Bronson, Peggy Cass, Barry Curtis, Tom Farrell, Frank Ferguson, Ruth Gordon ( ...

''.

Career

Shaughnessy, who was six feet tall and weighed 210 pounds, played "tough, colorful characters" in films like ''From Here to Eternity'', where he played the amiable Sergeant Leva. He also appeared in '' Jailhouse Rock'' as

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one ...

's character's prison mentor, and in ''

Designing Woman ''Designing Woman'' is a 1957 American Metrocolor romantic comedy film, in CinemaScope, about two young, whirlwind-romanced newlywed professionals and their misadventures in adjusting to each other's lifestyles. Vincente Minnelli directed the fi ...

'' (1957) as a punch-drunk ex-boxer who could only sleep with his eyes open. As a performer, he won critical praise for roles that might have otherwise been overlooked. Writing in ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'', film critic

Bosley Crowther Francis Bosley Crowther Jr. (July 13, 1905 – March 7, 1981) was an American journalist, writer, and film critic for ''The New York Times'' for 27 years. His work helped shape the careers of many actors, directors and screenwriters, though his ...

said that Shaughnessy's role in ''

The Sheepman ''The Sheepman'' is a 1958 American Western comedy film directed by George Marshall and starring Glenn Ford, Shirley MacLaine, and Leslie Nielsen. Plot Gambler Jason Sweet (Ford) wins a flock of sheep in a poker game and proceeds to take them b ...

'' (1958) was the "item to be most grateful for", and called him ''a slag heap of pot-belly, wounded dignity and scowls.'' His final roles included a part in Walt Disney’s ''

The Boatniks ''The Boatniks'' is a 1970 American comedy film directed by Norman Tokar and starring Robert Morse, Stefanie Powers, Don Ameche and Phil Silvers. It was made by Walt Disney Productions, released by Buena Vista Distribution. Young and awkward, ...

.'' He also appeared in the 1971 series '' Chicago Teddy Bears'', a comedy about a speakeasy in the 1920s. According to the ''Los Angeles Times'', Shaughnessy once said that he always kept in mind "the old Irishman--the guy who refuses the dentist's Novocain. He sits there and takes out his rosary and offers up the pain for his sins." He also worked in radio and television and had a nightclub act.

Later years

In his later years, Shaughnessy lived in

Wildwood, New Jersey Wildwood is a city in Cape May County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is part of the Ocean City metropolitan statistical area and is a popular summer resort destination along the Jersey Shore. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the city's year-rou ...

. He continued his nightclub act until nearly the end of his life. He died July 23, 1985, aged 64, in

Cape May Court House, New Jersey Cape May Court House is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Middle Township in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States.

lung cancer Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma (since about 98–99% of all lung cancers are carcinomas), is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissue (biology), tissues of the lung. Lung carcinomas derive from tran ...

. He was survived by his wife Sarah, his sister Alice Shaughnessy, four daughters and three sons.

Credits

Feature films

*''

The Princess and the Pirate ''The Princess and the Pirate'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by David Butler and starring Bob Hope and Virginia Mayo. Based on a story by Sy Bartlett, the film is about a princess who travels incognito to elope with her true love inste ...

'' (1944) – Man who brings the beers (uncredited) *''

'' (1952) – Pat Bundy *''

Last of the Comanches ''Last of the Comanches'' is a 1953 American Western film directed by Andre DeToth and starring Broderick Crawford, Barbara Hale, Johnny Stewart and Lloyd Bridges. The film is a remake of the 1943 World War II film ''Sahara'', starring Humphre ...

'' (1953) – Rusty Potter *''

From Here to Eternity ''From Here to Eternity'' is a 1953 American drama romance war film directed by Fred Zinnemann, and written by Daniel Taradash, based on the 1951 novel of the same name by James Jones. The picture deals with the tribulations of three U.S. Arm ...

'' (1953) – Sgt. Leva *''

Conquest of Space ''Conquest of Space'' is a 1955 American Technicolor science fiction film from Paramount Pictures, produced by George Pal, directed by Byron Haskin, that stars Walter Brooke, Eric Fleming, and Mickey Shaughnessy. The film's storyline concern ...

'' (1955) – Sgt. Mahoney *''

'' (1957) – Maxie Stultz *'' The Burglar'' (1957) – Dohmer *''

Slaughter on Tenth Avenue ''Slaughter on Tenth Avenue'' is a ballet with music by Richard Rodgers and choreography by George Balanchine. It occurs near the end of Rodgers and Hart's 1936 Broadway musical comedy ''On Your Toes''. ''Slaughter'' is the story of a hoofer who ...

'' (1957) – Solly Pitts *''

Until They Sail ''Until They Sail'' is a 1957 American black-and-white CinemaScope drama film directed by Robert Wise and starring Jean Simmons, Joan Fontaine, Paul Newman, Piper Laurie, and Sandra Dee. The screenplay by Robert Anderson, based on a story by ...

'' (1957) – US Marine, Store Customer *'' Jailhouse Rock'' (1957) – Hunk Houghton *'' Don't Go Near the Water'' (1957) – Farragut Jones *''

'' (1958) – Jumbo McCall *''

Gunman's Walk ''Gunman's Walk'' is a 1958 American CinemaScope Western film directed by Phil Karlson and starring Van Heflin and Tab Hunter. Plot Davy Hackett (James Darren) and his hot-tempered, arrogant older brother Ed (Tab Hunter) are about to assist the ...

'' (1958) – Deputy Sheriff Will Motely *''

A Nice Little Bank That Should Be Robbed ''A Nice Little Bank That Should Be Robbed'' is a 1958 American comedy film directed by Henry Levin and written by Sydney Boehm. The film stars Tom Ewell, Mickey Rooney, Mickey Shaughnessy, Dina Merrill, Madge Kennedy and Frances Bavier. The fil ...

'' (1958) – Harold 'Rocky' Baker *'' The Hangman'' (1959) – Al Cruse *'' Ask Any Girl'' (1959) – Mr. Eager – Man Smoking Cigarette (uncredited) *'' Don't Give Up the Ship'' (1959) – Stan Wychinski *'' Edge of Eternity'' (1959) – Scotty O'Brien *''

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn ''Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'' or as it is known in more recent editions, ''The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'', is a novel by American author Mark Twain, which was first published in the United Kingdom in December 1884 and in the United St ...

'' (1960) – The Duke *'' College Confidential'' (1960) – Sam Grover *''

Sex Kittens Go to College ''Sex Kittens Go to College'' (a.k.a. ''Beauty and the Robot'') is a 1960 American comedy film by Allied Artists Pictures, produced and directed by Albert Zugsmith and starring Mamie Van Doren, Tuesday Weld and Mijanou Bardot. The film was also ...

'' (1960) – Boomie *''

North to Alaska ''North to Alaska'' is a 1960 comedic Western/Northern film directed by Henry Hathaway and John Wayne (uncredited). The picture stars Wayne along with Stewart Granger, Ernie Kovacs, Fabian, and Capucine. The script is based on the 1939 play ' ...

'' (1960) – Peter Boggs *''

Dondi Donald Joseph White, "DONDI" (April 7, 1961 – October 2, 1998) was an American graffiti artist. Biography Early life Born in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn, Dondi was the youngest of five children. He was of African American a ...

'' (1961) – Sergeant *''

The Big Bankroll ''King of the Roaring 20s: The Story of Arnold Rothstein'' is a 1961 American, biopic, drama, crime film directed by Joseph M. Newman, produced by Samuel Bischoff and starring David Janssen, Dianne Foster, Diana Dors and Jack Carson. During the ...

'' (1961) – Jim Kelly *''The McGonicle'' (1961 TV movie) – Mac McGonicle *''

Pocketful of Miracles ''Pocketful of Miracles'' is a 1961 American comedy film starring Glenn Ford and Bette Davis, produced and directed by Frank Capra, filmed in Panavision. The screenplay by Hal Kanter and Harry Tugend was based on Robert Riskin's screenplay for t ...

'' (1961) – Junior *'' How the West Was Won'' (1962) – Deputy Stover *''Mickey and the Contessa'' (1963 TV movie) – Mickey Brennan *''

A Global Affair ''A Global Affair'' is a 1964 American comedy film directed by Jack Arnold (director), Jack Arnold, and starring Bob Hope, Michèle Mercier, Yvonne De Carlo, and Elga Andersen. Plot A baby is abandoned at the United Nations headquarters in New ...

'' (1964) – Police Officer Dugan *'' A House Is Not a Home'' (1964) – Police Sergeant Riordan *'' Never a Dull Moment'' (1968) – Francis *''St. Patrick's Day TV Special'' (1969) *''Vernon's Volunteers'' (1969 TV movie) *''

'' (1970) – Charlie *'' Touched'' (1983) – Himself

Television

*'' Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond'' (1960, episode "The Clown") – Pippo the Clown *''

Maverick Maverick, Maveric or Maverik may refer to: History * Maverick (animal), an unbranded range animal, derived from U.S. cattleman Samuel Maverick Aviation * AEA Maverick, an Australian single-seat sportsplane design * General Aviation Design Bureau ...

'' (1962, episode "Mr. Muldoon's Partner") – Mr. Muldoon *'' The Virginian'' (1962, episode "Big Day, Great Day") – Muldoon (credited as Michael Shaughnessy) *''

Going My Way ''Going My Way'' is a 1944 American musical comedy drama film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald. Written by Frank Butler and Frank Cavett based on a story by McCarey, the film is about a new young priest ta ...

'' (1963, episode "The Slasher") – Jim Bancroft *'' Laredo'' (1965, episode "Pride of the Rangers") – Monahan *''

The Legend of Jesse James ''The Legend of Jesse James'' is a 1980 country music concept album written by English songwriter Paul Kennerley, based on the story of American Old West outlaw Jesse James. The album features Levon Helm singing the role of Jesse James, Jo ...

'' (1966, episode "South Wind") – Ab Truxton *'' Run for Your Life'' (1967, episode "Rendezvous in Tokyo") – Morgan *''

The Chicago Teddy Bears ''The Chicago Teddy Bears'' is an American sitcom that aired on CBS. The series was part of the network's 1971 fall lineup, premiering on September 17, 1971. Synopsis Unlike other shows set in Prohibition-era Chicago, ''The Chicago Teddy Bears' ...

'' (1971, three episodes) – Lefty

References

External links

* * *
"My Memories of Mickey Shaughnessy"
by Steve Murray {{DEFAULTSORT:Shaughnessy, Mickey 1920 births 1985 deaths Male actors from New Jersey Male actors from New York (state) American male film actors American male television actors American people of Irish descent Deaths from cancer in New Jersey Deaths from lung cancer People from Wildwood, New Jersey 20th-century American male actors