Born in 1906, Connecticut-born character actor Horace McMahon fell easily into his career while pursuing a law career at Fordham University. A former news reporter, his dark, streetwise mug and attitude proved perfect for playing assorted New York characters -- thugs, cabbies, henchmen, bouncers -- in a slew of late 30s and 40s crime yarns, often with a Runyonesque feel to them. On Broadway from 1931, McMahon scored his best stage role in 1949 with "Detective Story" and was able to solidify it on film in 1951 to critical acclaim. Thereafter his crusty cops and detectives could be found all over, including TV, where he copped an Emmy nomination for his regular role on "The Naked City" series. Long married to former actress Louise Campbell, McMahon died in 1971.

Before becoming an actor, McMahon went from job to job, working as clerks for a shipping company, a hat manufacturer, as a castings worker, delivering special mail, and as a soda jerk. He had a brief flirt with journalism as reporter for The South Norwalk Sentinel and was co-driver of a 'wet-wash wagon for Brophy's Laundry'. His first acting job was in winter stock while studying at Fordham Law School.