The Biography

Patrick Sarsfield McNamara, known as Pat McNamara (22 July 1933 – 5 January 2024), was an American film, stage, and television actor born in New York City, New York. He was best known for playing Jim Malone, Eliza's weary father, in the 1996 comedy The Daytrippers, and for memorable supporting roles in Fight Club (1999, as Commissioner Jacobs), The Silence of the Lambs (1991, as Sheriff Perkins), Sleepers (1996), and Instinct (1999, as Dr. Josephson). He also appeared in Airplane II: The Sequel (1982), A Chorus Line (1985), Blue Thunder (1983), Crimes of Passion (1984), and The Front (1976, with Woody Allen). He died in Santa Monica, California, at age 90. His television credits span over five decades, including guest appearances in Barney Miller (1975, 1981), M\*A\*S\*H (1972, 1982), NYPD Blue (1993), Law & Order (1991, 1992), St. Elsewhere (1982, 1984), Ally McBeal (1997), Oz (1997–1998, as Dr. Prestopnick), Homicide: Life on the Street (1993, 1995), Party of Five (1994, 1998), and The Beat (2000). His later film credits include The Guru (2002, as Mr. McGee, with Heather Graham), Ash Wednesday (2002, as Murph), Thru: The Hereafter Remains Unknown (2017), and Street to Table (2022). He also appeared on stage, including in The Poison Tree (1976) and Amadeus on Broadway.