- Born
- Birth nameWilliam West McNamara
- Nickname
- Billy
- Height5′ 10″ (1.78 m)
- William McNamara studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and has since notched up over one hundred and sixty-five film and TV appearances. One of his first roles was that of Joel in the teen movie Dream a Little Dream (1989) with Corey Feldman and Corey Haim. He followed this up with the Bette Midler film Stella (1990).
It was during the nineties, however, that William - arguably - turned out some of his best performances. He gave a great performance as Derek Wolfe Jr in the Ernest R. Dickerson manhunt thriller Surviving the Game (1994), in which he worked with a cast of talented veteran actors including F. Murray Abraham, Gary Busey, Rutger Hauer, and John C. McGinley. That same year he was again teamed with Gary Busey - and Tom Berenger - in the Navy comedy Chasers (1994), directed by Dennis Hopper.
His most prized - and chilling - role, though, is that of Peter Foley the copycat serial killer in the psychological thriller Copycat (1995). The film also starred Sigourney Weaver, Dermot Mulroney, and jazz musician Harry Connick Jr.. He appeared with Andrew McCarthy and John Stockwell in Stag (1997), and made his way towards the millennium opposite Gabriel Byrne in the World War II drama The Brylcreem Boys (1998).
William's first feature film role was in acclaimed cult horror director Dario Argento's slasher classic, Opera (1987). But don't fear: the actor is actually a kind spiritualist and an avid animal rights activist, putting much time, energy, and money into the plight of the dolphins and small whales off the shores of Japan. In addition William involves himself in animal rescue in general, Kundalini, and Yoga!
Like Henry Rollins, his co-star in Time Lapse (2001), William McNamara gets his own hands dirty while 'actively' pursuing causes that are close to his heart.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Matt Lee-Williams
- ParentsWilliam McNamaraMary Elizabeth McClaine
- Gender / Gender identityMale
- Not only did he do his own stunts for Copycat (1995), but also spent time with Dr. Park Dietz, a forensic psychiatrist, in order to prepare for his role as the psychotic Peter Foley.
- Ex-fiance of actress Erika Eleniak.
- His father was a professional race car driver for the Ford Motor Company. His mother was an interior designer.
- Was asked to be the model and spokesman for in the Calvin Klein underwear ads, but turned down the offer. He feared that it would ultimately damage his career by leading to his being typecast.
- Is a huge fan of Don Knotts.
- "I knew I would be an actor since I was seven or eight. My Mom and I lived out in Los Angeles and one of her close friends was Valerie Perrine....She was like the Julia Roberts of the seventies and we used to hang out at her house. She had all these interesting people over all the time. I hung out and watched these people and it was like hanging out at the circus or carnival...That's the kind of attraction it is." Interview, 1996.
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