Hugh McDermott

Hugh Patrick McDermott (20 March 1906 – 29 January 1972) was a Scottish professional golfer turned actor, who made a number of film, stage, and television performances between 1936 and 1972. He specialised in playing Americans, so much so that most British film fans had no idea that he was actually Scottish.

Biography He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1906, and was educated in Davidson's Mains. Initially an instructor at the Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh, he later toured South and Central America and won the Central America Open and later helped design a course in Guatemala.

A trip to the United States kindled his interest in the film industry, and he made his screen debut in Well Done, Henry and followed it up with an appearance as HM Stanley in David Livingstone. In 1939, he appeared in the West End in N.C. Hunter's comedy Grouse in June. He made his final appearance in Chato's Land on film, and in The Amorous Prawn on stage in Edinburgh.

Filmography

Well Done, Henry (1936) - Sevier The Captain's Table (1936) - Inspector Mooney David Livingstone (1936) - H.M. Stanley The Wife of General Ling (1937) - Tracy The Divorce of Lady X (1938) - Minor Role (uncredited) His Lordship Goes to Press (1938) - Reporter (uncredited) Hey! Hey! USA (1938) - Man on Phone (uncredited) The Saint in London (1939) - Tim - Kussella's Chauffeur (uncredited) Where's That Fire? (1940) - Jim Baker For Freedom (1940) - Sam Neutral Port (1940) - Jim Grey Spring Meeting (1941) - Michael Byrne "Pimpernel" Smith (1941) - David Maxwell The Young Mr. Pitt (1942) - Mr. Melvill The Seventh Veil (1945) - Peter Gay This Man Is Mine (1946) - Bill Mackenzie No Orchids for Miss Blandish (1948) - Dave Fenner Good-Time Girl (1948) - Al Schwartz The Huggetts Abroad (1949) - Bob McCoy Lilli Marlene (1950) - Steve Two on the Tiles (1951) - Dick Lawson Four Days (1951) - Francis Templar Trent's Last Case (1952) - Calvin C. Bunner The Wedding of Lilli Marlene (1953) - Steve Moray The Love Lottery (1954) - Rodney Wheeler Night People (1954) - Maj. Burns Johnny on the Spot (1954) - Johnny Breakes Devil Girl from Mars (1954) - Michael Carter Malaga (1954) - Richard Farrell As Long as They're Happy (1955) - Barnaby Brady Thunder Rock (1955, TV film) - Streeter You Pay Your Money (1957) - Bob Westlake A King in New York (1957) - Bill Johnson (uncredited) The Man Who Wouldn't Talk (1958) - Bernie Delayed Flight (1964) - Lt. Col. Gavin Brampton First Men in the Moon (1964) - Richard Challis Bindle (One of Them Days) (1966) - American tourist Man in a Suitcase (1968) - Soames The File of the Golden Goose (1969) - Ray Moss Guns in the Heather (1969) - Carleton The Adding Machine (1969) - Harry The Games (1970) Lawman (1971) - L.G. Moss Captain Apache (1971) - Gen. Ryland Jason King (TV series) (episode "Flamingoes Only Fly on Tuesdays", 1971) – Police Chief Chato's Land (1972) - Bartender (final film role)