Malachy Gerard McCourt Jr. was born on September 20, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York City, to Irish parents, and was raised primarily in Limerick, Ireland. His father was an Irish Republican who fled British authorities, and his early years were marked by a turbulent family life, including his father deserting the family.

He left school at age 13 and moved to England briefly before returning to the United States in 1952 with financial help from his older brother, Frank McCourt, who later became famous for his Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir "Angela’s Ashes."

He worked various labor jobs including as a dishwasher and longshoreman before embarking on a career in acting and writing.

Malachy McCourt became an actor with appearances on stage, television, and in film. His television credits include roles in many New York-based soap operas such as "Ryan's Hope," "One Life to Live," and "Another World." 

He is also remembered for his annual Christmas appearances as Father Clarence, a priest on "All My Children." His film roles spanned multiple decades and titles, including "The Molly Maguires" (1970), "Green Card" (1990), "Reversal of Fortune" (1990), "The Devil's Own" (1997), and "She's the One" (1996). He frequently appeared on talk shows, including "The Tonight Show Starring Jack Paar" and "Conan O’Brien," known for his charismatic, outspoken persona often playing the professional Irishman.

In addition to acting, he was a successful writer. His memoir "A Monk Swimming" was a New York Times bestseller, offering a humorous and candid look at his life as the counterpoint to his brother’s more solemn narrative.

He also authored books on Irish history and culture, including a history of the song "Danny Boy" and the Claddagh ring, and maintained a weekly column called “Sez I To Myself.” Beyond entertainment, he opened and owned Malachy’s bar in New York City, which became a local cultural hub.

His life was also marked by his political activism and public presence on radio, including a talk show on New York City stations like WNYC and WBAI. In 2006, he ran as a Green Party candidate for Governor of New York, campaigning on environmental issues and opposition to the Iraq War.

His longstanding influence in Irish-American culture was recognized by multiple honors, including the Eugene O’Neill Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. Malachy McCourt was married to Diana and was a father of five children and grandfather to three.

He lived in New York for nearly six decades until his passing in March 2024 at the age of 92. His legacy remains that of a vibrant storyteller, actor, and cultural ambassador who brought Irish-American life to vivid expression across media.