Dylan McDermott

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Mark Anthony "Dylan" McDermott (born October 26, 1961)<ref name="tvguide">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> is an American actor. He is known for his role as lawyer and law firm head Bobby Donnell on the legal drama series The Practice, which earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama and a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

McDermott is also known for his roles in four seasons (first, second, eighth and ninth) of the FX horror anthology series American Horror Story, subtitled Murder House, Asylum, Apocalypse, and 1984, portraying Ben Harmon, Johnny Morgan and Bruce, respectively. He also starred as narcotics crime lord Richard Wheatley on the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit spinoff Law & Order: Organized Crime; Lt. Carter Shaw on the TNT series Dark Blue; in two short-lived CBS dramas, Hostages and Stalker; and in the 1994 remake of the film Miracle on 34th Street. In 2022, he joined FBI: Most Wanted as the new lead, replacing the departing Julian McMahon.

Early lifeEdit

Mark Anthony McDermott was born on October 26, 1961, in Waterbury, Connecticut, to Diane and Richard McDermott.<ref name="tvguide"/> He has a younger sister, Robin.<ref name="IrishAmerica">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="esq">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Diane was 15 and Richard was 17 when McDermott was born. By 1967 the couple had divorced, and Diane and her two children were living with her mother, Avis Marino.<ref name="IrishAmerica" /> On February 9, 1967, Diane died of what was believed for decades to be an accidental gunshot wound.<ref name="esq" /><ref name="msnbc">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2012 it was revealed that it was not an accident but that she was murdered by her then gangster boyfriend, John Sponza, who had already died by that time.

McDermott and his sister were raised by their maternal grandmother Avis in Waterbury.<ref name="IrishAmerica" /> As a teenager, he began taking trips to visit his biological father, who owned the West Fourth Street Saloon in Greenwich Village, New York.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> McDermott worked in his father's bar, serving drinks and breaking up fights.<ref name="sunmorn">Rita Braver. "Dylan McDermott" (interview), CBS Sunday Morning, October 30, 2011.</ref> He also fast-talked his way into the Mudd Club and Studio 54.<ref name="esq" />

McDermott was uncomfortable with himself as a teenager, saying he had a "Dorothy Hamill hairdo". He began imitating his acting heroes, such as Marlon Brando and Humphrey Bogart, adopting their demeanor.<ref name="fifty">Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 1979, McDermott graduated from Holy Cross High School in Waterbury.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

McDermott's father's third wife was playwright V, then known as Eve Ensler, who adopted McDermott when he was 15 and she was 23.<ref name="adoption age">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}, Interview with wife Shiva Rose McDermott</ref> She later divorced his father. V, with whom McDermott has remained close, encouraged him to pursue an acting career,<ref name="msnbc" /> and began writing roles for him into her plays.<ref name="esq" /> After V suffered a miscarriage, McDermott took the name Dylan, the name planned for her unborn child.<ref name="sunmorn" /> He then graduated from Jesuit-run Fordham University with a BA in 1983,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> as well as studying under Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

CareerEdit

McDermott made his screen debut in Hamburger Hill in 1987 before starring in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias opposite Julia Roberts as her husband Jackson Latcherie. He also starred in Twister, a film about a man trying to rescue his girlfriend and daughter from a tornado storm.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The same year brought Neon Empire, a film about the rise and fall of one man in Las Vegas.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> However, his first big break as an actor was in the film In the Line of Fire. Through his connection with Clint Eastwood,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> McDermott was able to land his first major gig in The Practice. The show expanded McDermott's stardom, and he made PeopleTemplate:'s list of the "50 Most Beautiful People in the World 1998" with the magazine calling him "a prime-time heartthrob".<ref name="fifty"/> He got this distinction again in 2000.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 1994, McDermott starred in Miracle on 34th Street as Lawyer Bryan Bedford, which has grossed $46.3 million dollars in the worldwide box office.

Despite his success on The Practice, McDermott was cut from the show. Executive producer David E. Kelley cited "economic and creative realities" as a result of pressure from ABC to reduce costs. McDermott did appear in the final two episodes of the final season.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

File:Dylan McDermott 2012 (cropped).jpg
McDermott at the 2012 PaleyFest

In 2004, McDermott starred alongside Julianna Margulies four-part mini-series The Grid, playing FBI Special Agent Max Canary in an anti-terrorist unit.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> Returning to theater in 2006, the actor played a returned soldier suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder in the Ensler's play The Treatment.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2007, McDermott starred in the television series Big Shots. Due to low viewership, the show was canceled in January 2008 after 11 episodes without completing the planned 13-episode season. On October 30, 2008, TV Guide reported that McDermott was due to co-star alongside Shannen Doherty in the film Burning Palms, a satire based on Los Angeles stereotypes told through five intertwining storylines.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Beginning in 2009, McDermott starred in the TNT drama Dark Blue, playing a veteran cop who heads a squad of undercover LAPD officers.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The show ran for two seasons, each consisting of ten episodes. In 2011, McDermott starred on American Horror Story on FX as Ben Harmon, a psychologist and cheating husband. He returned to the second season as a new character due to the series' anthology format, this time portraying Johnny Morgan.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2012, he appeared in three films: The Campaign, playing Tim Wattley, a campaign manager,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Perks of Being a Wallflower, as the father of main character Charlie (Logan Lerman),<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Nobody Walks, as Leroy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He appeared in the action thriller Olympus Has Fallen as a treacherous Secret Service Agent who helps a group of terrorists seize control of the White House.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In May 2013, McDermott launched his first photography exhibition in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, at Avenue Art Gallery as part of a collaboration with art agent Marina Cutler. The exhibition, titled The Dylan Project, Make some Noise!, tied his support for The V-Day Organization and love of photography together as the project is a way to bring attention and funds to this organization that supports women in various ways who have suffered violent acts of aggression. McDermott and Cutler have plans to bring The Dylan Project to other locations. Also in 2013, McDermott starred in the short-lived CBS television series Hostages as FBI agent Duncan Carlisle.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2014, McDermott began starring on another short-lived CBS television series Stalker in one of the lead roles, portraying Detective Jack Larsen opposite Maggie Q.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2018, McDermott played the serial killer Don Burnside in the film The Clovehitch Killer, and in 2019, he had a recurring role on The Politician opposite January Jones, as the father of Lucy Boynton's character.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2020, McDermott starred in Hollywood, a limited series for Netflix.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He then went on to be cast as narcotics crime lord Richard Wheatley on the Elliot Stabler-centric Law & Order: Special Victims Unit spin-off Law & Order: Organized Crime, which premiered in April 2021. In season 1, McDermott as Wheatley was a series regular, but moved to a recurring role for season 2.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Coinciding with his departure from Organized Crime, McDermott joined Dick Wolf's FBI: Most Wanted as the new lead following the departure of Julian McMahon. His first episode aired in April 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Personal lifeEdit

Part Italian,<ref>Dylan McDermott: «Sapevate che sono per metà italiano?» vanityfair.it</ref> McDermott married actress Shiva Rose on November 19, 1995.<ref name="IrishAmerica"/> They have two daughters, Colette and Charlotte. Colette's birth is prominently featured in Ensler's The Vagina Monologues.<ref name=esq/> Colette graduated from Barnard College, of which McDermott was also a trustee.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On September 27, 2007, People confirmed that McDermott and Rose had separated.<ref name="people">Template:Cite news</ref> On May 16, 2008, it was reported that McDermott had filed for divorce from Rose.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The divorce was finalized on January 2, 2009.<ref name="tmz">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Having met on set in early 2014, on January 14, 2015, it was announced he was engaged to his Stalker co-star Maggie Q.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2017, they stated that they were not in any rush to have an actual wedding ceremony.<ref name="Wedding">Template:Cite news</ref> In February 2019, the couple split after a four-year engagement.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

McDermott has been featured in magazines such as Men's Health.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 1999, he was a finalist in the GQ "Man of the Year" issue.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

McDermott is a recovering alcoholic. He has been sober since 1984.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

FilmographyEdit

FilmEdit

Year Title Role Notes
1987 Hamburger Hill Staff Sergeant Adam Frantz
1988 The Blue Iguana Vince Holloway
1989 Twister Chris
Steel Magnolias Jackson Latcherie
1990 Hardware Moses "Hard Mo" Baxter
1991 Where Sleeping Dogs Lie Bruce Simmons
1992 Jersey Girl Sal Tomei
1993 In the Line of Fire Secret Service Agent Al D'Andrea
1994 The Cowboy Way John Stark
Miracle on 34th Street Bryan Bedford
1995 Destiny Turns on the Radio Julian Goddard
Home for the Holidays Leo Fish
1997 'Til There Was You Nick Dawkan
1999 Three to Tango Charles Newman
2001 Texas Rangers Captain Leander McNelly
2003 Party Monster Peter Gatien
Wonderland David Lind
Runaway Jury Jacob Wood Uncredited cameo
2005 Edison Sergeant Francis Lazerov
The Tenants Harry Lesser
The Mistress of Spices Doug
2006 Unbeatable Harold Jake Salamander
2007 The Messengers Roy
Have Dreams, Will Travel Uncle
2009 Mercy Jake
2010 Burning Palms Dennis Marx
2012 Nobody Walks Leroy
The Campaign Tim Wattley
The Perks of Being a Wallflower Mr. Kelmeckis
2013 Olympus Has Fallen Dave Forbes
Freezer Robert Saunders
2014 Behaving Badly Jimmy Leach
Autómata Sean Wallace
Mercy Jim Swann
2015 Survivor Sam Parker
The Laws of the Universe Part 0 Yoake Suguru citation CitationClass=web

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2016 Blind Mark Dutchman
2018 Josie Hank
The Clovehitch Killer Don Burnside
2021 King Richard Will Hodges

TelevisionEdit

Year Title Role Notes
1989 The Neon Empire Vic Television film
1991 Into the Badlands McComas
1992 Tales from the Crypt George Gatlin Episode: "This'll Kill Ya"
The Fear Inside Pete Caswell Television film
1997–2004 The Practice Bobby Donnell 147 episodes
1998 Ally McBeal Bobby Donnell 2 episodes
Penn & Teller's Sin City Spectacular Himself Episode: #1.5
1999 Saturday Night Live Host Episode: "Dylan McDermott / Foo Fighters"
2002 Music Behind Bars Host 8 episodes
2003 Will & Grace Tom Episode: "Heart Like a Wheelchair"
2004 The Grid FBI Agent Max Canary 6 episodes
2006 3 lbs Dr. Douglas Hanson Unsold television pilot
A House Divided Anderson Television film
2007–2008 Big Shots Duncan Collinsworth 11 episodes
2009–2010 Dark Blue Carter Shaw 20 episodes
2011 American Horror Story: Murder House Dr. Ben Harmon 12 episodes
Vietnam in HD James Anderson (voice) Episode: "The Beginning"
2012–2013 American Horror Story: Asylum Johnny Morgan 5 episodes
2013–2014 Hostages Duncan Carlisle 15 episodes
2014–2015 Stalker Detective Jack Larsen 20 episodes
2018 LA to Vegas Captain Dave Pratman 15 episodes
American Horror Story: Apocalypse Dr. Ben Harmon Episode: "Return to Murder House"
2019 The Politician Theo Sloan 6 episodes
American Horror Story: 1984 Bruce 3 episodes
No Activity Clint Bergman 7 episodes
2020 Hollywood Ernie West 7 episodes
2021–2022 Law & Order: Organized Crime Richard Wheatley 15 episodes
2021 American Horror Stories Ben Harmon Episode: "Game Over"
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Richard Wheatley Episode: "The People v. Richard Wheatley"
2022–2025 FBI: Most Wanted Supervisory Special Agent Remy Scott 63 episodes
2023 FBI Episode: "Imminent Threat: Part 2"

TheatreEdit

Year Title Role
Template:N/A Golden Boy Template:N/A
1978 Believe It, See It, Survival Template:N/A
1985 Biloxi Blues Roy Selridge
1995 Floating Rhoda and the Glue Man Template:N/A
2006 The Treatment Man
2008 Three Changes Nate

Awards and nominationsEdit

Year Association Category Nominated work Result
1998 Viewers for Quality Television Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series The Practice Template:Nom
1999 Golden Globe Awards Best Actor – Television Series Drama Template:Won
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Template:Nom
Satellite Awards Best Actor – Television Series Drama Template:Nom
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Template:Nom
Television Critics Association Awards Individual Achievement in Drama Template:Nom
2000 Golden Globe Awards Best Actor – Television Series Drama Template:Nom
Satellite Awards Best Actor – Television Series Drama Template:Nom
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Template:Nom
Viewers for Quality Television Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series Template:Nom
2001 Golden Globe Awards Best Actor – Television Series Drama Template:Nom
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Template:Nom
2004 Prism Awards Best Performance in a Theatrical Feature Film Wonderland Template:Nom
2012 San Diego Film Critics Society Awards Best Performance by an Ensemble The Perks of Being a Wallflower Template:Won
Saturn Awards Best Actor on Television American Horror Story: Murder House Template:Nom
2015 People's Choice Awards Favorite Actor in a New TV Series Stalker Template:Nom
2019 Gold Derby Awards Best Drama Guest Actor American Horror Story: Apocalypse Template:Nom
2020 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Hollywood Template:Nom
2021 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries Template:Nom

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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