Niall MacGinnis

Patrick Niall MacGinnis, known professionally as Niall MacGinnis, was an Irish actor celebrated for his work in over 80 screen roles, making a significant mark in the world of cinema from the mid 1930s to 1970s. MacGinnis was born on 29 March 1913 in Dublin, Ireland. He enjoyed an interesting variety of training, being educated at Stonyhurst College, a Jesuit public school in Lancashire, North England, before studying medicine at Trinity College in Dublin where he later qualified as a house surgeon. MacGinnis served as a surgeon in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, and even while juggling an active medical career in parallel, MacGinnis managed to pursue his passion for the performing arts. He starred in the hit comedy play 'Spring Meeting' in London's West End in 1938, which paved the way for a flourishing acting career. Some of his notable roles include a German U-boat sailor in the war film '49th Parallel (1941)', the title role in 'Martin Luther (1953)', villainous Julian Karswell in the horror film 'Night of the Demon (1957)' and Zeus in 'Jason and the Argonauts (1963)'. His television repertoire included memorable roles in popular shows such as 'Danger Man' and 'The Saint'. In the mid-1970s, MacGinnis returned to Ireland and his medical profession until his death in 1977.