William West McNamara (born March 31, 1965) is an American film and television actor.

Personal life

Born in

Dallas, Texas Dallas () is the third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 million people. It is the largest city in and seat of Dallas County w ...

, McNamara is the son of a

Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company (commonly known as Ford) is an American multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. The company sells automobi ...

employee and an

interior designer Interior design is the art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space. An interior designer is someone who plans, researches, coordina ...

. He attended

Salisbury School Salisbury School is an all-boys, private college-preparatory boarding school founded in 1901 and located in Salisbury, Connecticut. Its school newspaper is ''The Cupola''. Its mascot is the Crimson Knight. The school's motto is ''Esse quam vider ...

Columbia University Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...

, and studied at the

Lee Strasberg Institute The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute (originally the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute) is an acting school founded in 1969 by actor, director, and acting teacher Lee Strasberg. The Institute is located in Union Square on East 15th Street, ...

in New York.

Career

He appeared in the feature films ''

Texasville ''Texasville'' is a 1990 American drama film written and directed by Peter Bogdanovich. Based on the 1987 novel ''Texasville'' by Larry McMurtry, it is a sequel to ''The Last Picture Show'' (1971), and features Jeff Bridges, Cybill Shepherd, Clori ...

'', '' Stella'', ''

Copycat Copycat refers to a person who copies some aspect of some thing or somebody else. Copycat may also refer to: Intellectual property rights * Copyright infringement, use of another’s ideas or words without permission * Patent infringement, a v ...

'', ''

Surviving the Game ''Surviving the Game'' is a 1994 American action-adventure film directed by Ernest R. Dickerson. It is loosely based on the 1924 short story "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell. The film stars Ice-T, Rutger Hauer, Charles S. Dutton, J ...

'', and '' Stealing Home''. On television, he portrayed

Montgomery Clift Edward Montgomery Clift (; October 17, 1920 – July 23, 1966) was an American actor. A four-time Academy Award nominee, he was known for his portrayal of "moody, sensitive young men", according to ''The New York Times''. He is best remembered ...

in '' Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story'' and

Ricky Nelson Eric Hilliard Nelson (May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985) was an American musician, songwriter and actor. From age eight he starred alongside his family in the radio and television series ''The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet''. In 1957, he bega ...

in '' Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King'', had a regular role on the

Showtime Showtime or Show Time may refer to: Film * ''Showtime'' (film), a 2002 American action/comedy film * ''Showtime'' (video), a 1995 live concert video by Blur Television Networks and channels * Showtime Networks, a division of Paramount Global w ...

series '' Beggars and Choosers'', was featured in the

television movie A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

s ''

Doing Time on Maple Drive ''Doing Time on Maple Drive'' is a 1992 American made-for-television drama film written by James Duff and directed by Ken Olin. The movie stars James Sikking, Bibi Besch, William McNamara, Jayne Brook, David Byron, Lori Loughlin and Jim Carrey ...

'' and ''Wildflower'' (

CableACE Award The CableACE Award (earlier known as the ACE Awards; ACE was an acronym for "Award for Cable Excellence") is a defunct award that was given by what was then the National Cable Television Association from 1978 to 1997 to honor excellence in Amer ...

nomination), and appeared in ''

NYPD Blue ''NYPD Blue'' is an American police procedural television series set in New York City, exploring the struggles of the fictional 15th Precinct detective squad in Manhattan. Each episode typically intertwines several plots involving an ensemble c ...

'' and '' Law & Order: SVU'', among other television series.

Activism

McNamara is an

animal rights Animal rights is the philosophy according to which many or all sentient animals have moral worth that is independent of their utility for humans, and that their most basic interests—such as avoiding suffering—should be afforded the sa ...

activist and

vegan Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal product—particularly in diet—and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. An individual who follows the diet or philosophy is known as a vegan. Di ...

. He got his start rescuing cats, dogs, and horses, and now travels the world advocating animal rights. McNamara has produced several documentaries, including the

Nat Geo Wild National Geographic Wild (shortened as Nat Geo Wild and abbreviated NGW) is a global pay television network owned by National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company (73%) and the National Geographic Society (27%). T ...

Network: ''Animal Intervention'', an exposé on the exotic animal industry in the United States.

Filmography

*''

Opera Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librett ...

'' (1987) – Stefano *'' Stealing Home'' (1988) – Billy Wyatt (teenager) *'' The Beat'' (1988) – Billy Kane *'' Dream a Little Dream'' (1989) – Joel *'' Stella'' (1990) – Pat Robbins *''

'' (1990) – Dickie Jackson *''

Wildflower A wildflower (or wild flower) is a flower that grows in the wild, meaning it was not intentionally seeded or planted. The term implies that the plant probably is neither a hybrid nor a selected cultivar that is in any way different from the w ...

'' (1991) - Sammy Perkins *''

Aspen Extreme ''Aspen Extreme'' is a 1993 American drama film written and directed by Patrick Hasburgh. The plot is about two ski buddies, T.J. Burke (Paul Gross) and Dexter Rutecki (Peter Berg), who move from Brighton, Michigan to Aspen, Colorado to seek a be ...

'' (1993) – Todd Pounds *''

Extreme Justice Extreme Justice is a monthly Justice League spin-off title in the DC Comics universe. It replaced the cancelled ''Justice League International'' (formerly ''Justice League Europe'') and ran for nineteen issues from 1994 to 1996. Overview Several ...

'' (1993) – Mark Franklin (surfer, uncredited in film credits) *''

Chasers ''Chasers'' is a 1994 American comedy film directed by Dennis Hopper. It is about a pair of United States Navy shore patrollers (SPs) (Tom Berenger and William McNamara) who must escort a beautiful prisoner (Erika Eleniak), and the troubles they ...

'' (1994) – Eddie Devane *''

'' (1994) – Derek Wolfe Jr. *''

Radio Inside ''Radio Inside'' is a 1994 American drama film, written and directed by Jeffrey Jackson Bell. Plot Having graduated from college, Matthew Anderson travels to Florida to spend some time with his older brother while deciding what career to pursue. ...

'' (1994) – Matthew Anderson *''

'' (1995) – Peter Foley *'' Storybook'' (1995) – Prince Arthur *''

Girl in the Cadillac ''Girl in the Cadillac'' is a crime drama film released in 1995. The film stars Erika Eleniak and William McNamara. Film synopsis A woman called Mandy (Eleniak) runs away from her home. At a bus station she meets Rick (McNamara), who takes her ...

'' (1995) – Rick *''

Snitch Snitch may refer to: * Informant Film and television * ''Snitch'' (1998 film) or ''Monument Ave.'', an American crime drama directed by Ted Demme * ''Snitch'' (2011 film) or ''Witness Insecurity'', an American thriller starring Edward Furlong ...

'' (1996) – Shakley *'' Dead Girl'' (1996) – Damon *'' Natural Enemy'' (1996) – Jeremy *''

Stag Deer or true deer are hoofed ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. The two main groups of deer are the Cervinae, including the muntjac, the elk (wapiti), the red deer, and the fallow deer; and the Capreolinae, including the reindeer ...

'' (1997) – Jon DiCapri *''

The Deli ''The Deli'' was a Brooklyn based independent music magazine, with both print and online editions, as well as a blog (still active) that covers local music scenes and their emerging artists. Magazine In its print version, ''The Deli'' was a quar ...

'' (1997) – Kevin *'' Glam'' (1997) – Sonny Daye *''

The Brylcreem Boys ''The Brylcreem Boys'' is a 1998 romantic comedy film set in Ireland during the Second World War. The film, which stars Billy Campbell, Angus Macfadyen, Jean Butler and Gabriel Byrne, was directed and co written by Terence Ryan. The story is ...

'' (1997) – Sam Gunn *''

Sweet Jane "Sweet Jane" is a song by American rock band the Velvet Underground; it appears on their fourth studio album '' Loaded'' (1970). The song was written by Lou Reed, the band's leader, who continued to incorporate the piece into live performances a ...

'' (1998) – Stan Bleeker *'' Something to Believe In'' (1998) – Mike *'' Ringmaster'' (1998) – Troy Davenport *'' Implicated'' (1999) – Tom Baker *''

Paper Bullets ''Paper Bullets'' is a 1941 American film directed by Phil Rosen and starring Joan Woodbury. It was the first film produced by the King Brothers, launching their career. The film was re-released by Eagle Lion as ''Gangs, Inc.'' giving top bill ...

'' (1999) – Laurence McCoy *''

Knockout A knockout (abbreviated to KO or K.O.) is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, mixed martial arts, karate, some forms of taekwondo and other sports involving striking, a ...

'' (2000) – Michael DeMarco *'' Just Sue Me'' (2000) – Daniel *''The Calling'' (a.k.a. ''Man of Faith'') (2002) – Bobby Murky *''The Kings of Brooklyn'' (2004) – Chris Parmel *''The Iron Man'' (2006) – Gerard *''The Still Life'' (2007) – Teacher *''April Moon'' (2007) – David *''A Dance for Bethany'' (2007) – James Fisher *''The Grift'' (2008) – Hugh Babcock *'' The Bleeding'' (2009) – Dan Williams *''The Ascent'' (2010) – Joel *''The Legend of Hell's Gate: An American Conspiracy'' (2010) – Jones Moon *''Cut!'' (2012) – Bryan Wolff *'' Dry'' (2014) – Dr Brown *''Truth'' (2015) *''Last Man Club'' (2016) – Joe Scanlin *''The Secrets of Emily Blair'' (2016) – Mr. Regan *''Happenstance'' (2017) – Bodhi *''Opus of an Angel'' (2018) - Dr. Stephen Murphy *'' Rottentail'' (2018) – Jake Mulligan *'' The 2nd'' (2020) – Jalil

Television

*'' Secret of the Sahara'' (1988 mini-series) – Philip *''

Island Son ''Island Son'' is an American medical drama television series that aired on CBS from September 16, 1989, to March 15, 1990, during the 1989–90 schedule. ''Island Son'' marked the return to regular weekly series television of Richard Chamber ...

'' (1989 series) – Sam *''Wildflower'' (1991) – Sammy Perkins *''

'' (1992) – Matt Carter *''

Silk Stalkings ''Silk Stalkings'' is an American crime drama television series that premiered on CBS on November 7, 1991, as part of the network's late-night ''Crimetime After Primetime'' programming package. Broadcast for two seasons until CBS ended the ''Crim ...

'' ("The Brotherhood" episode, aired 1/9/1992) – Clay Edwards *'' Honor Thy Mother'' (1992) – Chris *''

Sworn to Vengeance Traditionally an oath (from Anglo-Saxon ', also called plight) is either a statement of fact or a promise taken by a sacrality as a sign of verity. A common legal substitute for those who conscientiously object to making sacred oaths is to gi ...

'' (1993) – Michael Burke *'' Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story'' (1995) –

*''

Perversions of Science ''Perversions of Science'' is an American science fiction/ horror anthology television series that ran from June 7 to July 23, 1997, on the premium cable channel HBO, lasting one season. It is a spin-off of the horror series ''Tales from the Cr ...

'' ("Given the Heir" episode, aired 6/18/1997) – Nick Boyer *'' Natural Enemy'' (1997) – Jeremy *''

Welcome to Paradox ''Welcome to Paradox'' was a Canadian science fiction television series aired on the Sci Fi Channel in the U.S. and subsequently on Showcase in Canada. It was first broadcast on August 17, 1998, ran for one season, with the final episode being ...

''("Blue Champagne" episode, aired 11/2/1998) – Q.M. Cooper *'' Brimstone'' ("Encore" episode, aired 11/6/1998) – Gilbert Jax *'' Beggars and Choosers'' (1999–2001 series) – Brad Advail *'' The Outer Limits'' (" Better Luck Next Time" episode, aired 8/20/1999) – Kimble *'' The Hunger'' ("Approaching Desdemona" episode, aired 2/6/2000) – Kent Johanssen *''

Time Lapse Time-lapse photography is a technique in which the frequency at which film frames are captured (the frame rate) is much lower than the frequency used to view the sequence. When played at normal speed, time appears to be moving faster and thus ...

'' (2001) – Clayton Pirce *'' Trapped'' (2001) – C. Whitmore Evans *'' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' ("Pandora" episode) (2003) – Detective Sam Bishop *''

'' (1 February 2005 episode) – Richard Pancava *'' McBride: Murder Past Midnight'' (2005) – Tony Harriman *'' American Black Beauty'' (2005) – Wilford *'' Nightmares and Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King'' (1 episode) (2006) – Ricky Nelson *'' Beyond the Break'' (2 episodes) (2007) – Richard *'' The Wrong Roommate'' (2016) – Mark *''

Running Away "Running Away" is a single recorded by Hoobastank. It was the third single released from their self-titled debut album on April 1, 2002. The song peaked at number two on the US ''Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK an ...

'' (2017) – Richard

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:McNamara, William 1965 births American male film actors American male television actors Columbia University alumni Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute alumni Living people Male actors from Dallas 20th-century American male actors 21st-century American male actors