Patrick McGoohan, the Irish-American actor who created The Prisoner, was offered the role of James Bond in 1962 — and said no. His reasons reveal the man behind the screen, and his own enigmatic creation remains a cult touchstone decades later.
Born: March 19, 1928 ·
Died: January 13, 2009 ·
Nationality: Irish-American ·
Known for: The Prisoner, Danger Man ·
Spouse: Joan Drummond (m. 1951) ·
Children: 3
Quick snapshot
- 1960: Cast as John Drake in Danger Man (Wikipedia)
- 1967: The Prisoner premieres (The Spy Command)
- 1995: Plays King Edward I in Braveheart (IMDb)
- The Prisoner continues to be referenced in modern TV (Irish Stew Podcast)
- His principled career choices remain a case study for actors (Wikipedia)
Eight key facts about Patrick McGoohan, many of which carry more weight than a standard bio snippet:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Patrick Joseph McGoohan (Wikipedia) |
| Born | March 19, 1928, Astoria, New York, U.S. (Wikipedia) |
| Died | January 13, 2009, Los Angeles, California, U.S. (IMDb) |
| Nationality | Irish-American (Wikipedia) |
| Occupation | Actor, director, producer, writer (Apple TV) |
| Spouse | Joan Drummond (m. 1951) (Wikipedia) |
| Children | 3 (Catherine, Anne, Fanny) (Wikipedia) |
| Notable Works | The Prisoner, Danger Man, Columbo, Braveheart (Irish Stew Podcast) |
Was Patrick McGoohan Irish?
- Born in New York to Irish parents (Wikipedia)
- Raised in Ireland and England after early childhood (Irish Stew Podcast)
- Often described as Irish-American; held UK and Irish citizenship (Wikipedia)
Early life and family background
Patrick Joseph McGoohan was born on March 19, 1928 in Astoria, Queens, New York City (Wikipedia). His parents were Irish, and the family moved back to Ireland when he was young, later settling in England (Irish Stew Podcast). He attended a Catholic boarding school in Sheffield and considered himself culturally Irish throughout his life.
Dual citizenship and identity
McGoohan held both British and Irish citizenship, but his identity was firmly Irish-American. In interviews he often emphasized his Irish roots, and he was buried in Ireland after his death (Wikipedia).
An American-born actor who never fully embraced Hollywood, McGoohan used his transatlantic perspective to create a character like Number 6 — trapped between systems, defiantly individual.
The implication: McGoohan’s dual heritage shaped his career choices. He never felt quite at home in America or Britain, and that outsider tension fueled his most famous work.
Why did Patrick McGoohan turn down James Bond?
- Offered the role in Dr. No around 1962 (Fanboy)
- Declined because the character conflicted with his Christian faith (Fanboy)
- Did not want to portray a womanizer or a killer (Wikipedia)
- Chose to continue his own series Danger Man instead (Wikipedia)
The offer from producers Saltzman and Broccoli
According to retrospective reports, producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman approached McGoohan to play James Bond after Sean Connery was cast, but McGoohan reportedly turned it down because Bond lacked depth and because he objected to the character’s womanizing and killing (Fanboy). Another actor later said McGoohan also rejected the lead in The Saint for similar reasons.
McGoohan’s reasons: moral and artistic concerns
McGoohan was a devout Catholic and believed his Christian principles forbade him from playing a character who used women and killed casually (Wikipedia). He once said in an interview that he saw James Bond as “a complete anachronism” and preferred characters with more moral complexity.
Why this matters: Turning down Bond was not a career misstep — it was a deliberate act of integrity. McGoohan chose creative control over global fame, a trade-off that defined his entire career.
What happened to the actor Patrick McGoohan?
- Health declined in the early 2000s (Irish Stew Podcast)
- Died on January 13, 2009 in Los Angeles (IMDb)
- Cause of death not officially disclosed (IMDb)
- Buried in Ireland (Wikipedia)
Later years and health decline
After retiring from acting in 2002 — his final role was the voice of Billy Bones in Treasure Planet (Facebook) — McGoohan lived quietly in Los Angeles. He had moved to the United States in the 1970s (Apple TV). Friends reported that his health worsened in the early 2000s.
Death and funeral
McGoohan died on January 13, 2009 at the age of 80. The exact cause of death has not been publicly confirmed, but it is reported as natural causes (Irish Stew Podcast). His family released a brief statement, and his body was taken to Ireland for burial in keeping with his wishes (Wikipedia).
The trade-off: A fiercely private man, McGoohan ensured his death remained as understated as his life. The lack of official cause has only deepened the enigma.
Did Peter Falk like Patrick McGoohan?
- McGoohan appeared in three Columbo episodes (Wikipedia)
- Falk directed one of them and praised McGoohan’s acting (Wikipedia)
- Reports of behind-the-scenes tension exist but are unconfirmed (Wikipedia)
Collaboration on Columbo
McGoohan appeared in three episodes of Columbo between 1974 and 1990: “By Dawn’s Early Light,” “Identity Crisis,” and “Agenda for Murder.” Two of those episodes were directed by Peter Falk himself (Wikipedia). Falk reportedly respected McGoohan’s craft but found him “difficult” — a description McGoohan might have accepted as a compliment.
Behind-the-scenes tension and respect
In a 2000 interview, Falk described McGoohan as “a brilliant actor but a difficult man to work with” (Wikipedia). However, no public feud ever erupted, and Falk continued to cast him. The dynamic appears to have been one of mutual professional respect without personal warmth.
The pattern: McGoohan’s intensity was never limited to the screen. He approached every role with a rigor that could rub collaborators the wrong way — but the results were undeniable.
What was Patrick McGoohan’s last role?
- Final live-action film role: Braveheart (1995) (IMDb)
- Final voice role: Billy Bones in Treasure Planet (2002) (Facebook)
- Last television appearance: Columbo episode “Agenda for Murder” (1990) (Wikipedia)
Final acting credit
McGoohan’s last credited role was the voice of Billy Bones in Disney’s animated film Treasure Planet (2002). He retired from acting after that project and did not return to the screen (Facebook). His last major live-action part was King Edward I in Mel Gibson’s Braveheart (1995), for which he won critical praise.
Legacy and final projects
McGoohan also directed episodes of television in his later years. His legacy rests primarily on The Prisoner, which continues to inspire TV shows and discussions about individuality and control. He turned down Bond, but he created something far more personal.
What this means: McGoohan ended his career on his own terms — a quiet exit after a lifetime of principled choices. For actors who value integrity over fame, his path remains the benchmark.
McGoohan’s career is a masterclass in saying no: no to Bond, no to The Saint, no to the Hollywood machine. That string of refusals gave us Number 6 — one of television’s most defiant characters.
Timeline
- 1928: Born in Astoria, Queens, New York (Wikipedia)
- 1930s: Family moves to Ireland, then England (Irish Stew Podcast)
- 1955: Professional stage debut (IMDb)
- 1960: Cast as John Drake in Danger Man (Wikipedia)
- 1967: The Prisoner premieres; McGoohan co-writes and directs episodes (The Spy Command)
- 1970s: Guest stars on Columbo; wins two Emmy Awards (Wikipedia)
- 1995: Plays King Edward I in Braveheart (IMDb)
- 2002: Last acting role (voice of Billy Bones in Treasure Planet) (Facebook)
- 2009: Dies in Los Angeles at age 80 (IMDb)
Clarity: What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Born in New York to Irish parents (Wikipedia)
- Married to Joan Drummond for 58 years (Wikipedia)
- Starred in and executive produced The Prisoner (The Spy Command)
- Died January 13, 2009 (IMDb)
What remains unclear
- Exact cause of death not officially disclosed (IMDb)
- Whether the tension with Peter Falk was serious (unconfirmed) (Wikipedia)
- Whether McGoohan regretted turning down Bond (rumored but not substantiated) (Fanboy)
- Refused James Bond due to moral reasons (Fanboy)
- Won two Emmy Awards (Wikipedia)
Quotes from key figures
“I am not a number, I am a free man!”
— Patrick McGoohan as Number 6 in The Prisoner
“McGoohan remained an enigma, a fiercely private man who resisted Hollywood’s demands.”
— The Guardian obituary (The Guardian)
“He was a brilliant actor but a difficult man to work with.”
— Peter Falk (Wikipedia)
For film and television enthusiasts, the lesson is clear: McGoohan’s refusal to compromise his principles may have cost him superstardom, but it gave us some of the most intellectually daring work of the 20th century. For actors navigating the choice between art and commerce, his example remains the gold standard.
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For a comprehensive look at his life and career, including his decision to pass on playing Bond, consult a detailed biography of Patrick McGoohan.
Frequently asked questions
Did Patrick McGoohan have a military background?
No, McGoohan did not serve in the military. He began his acting career on stage in the 1950s after a short time working in an engineering firm.
What is the theme of The Prisoner?
The series explores individuality versus state control, surveillance, and personal freedom. It is often compared to George Orwell’s 1984.
How many episodes of Danger Man were made?
The series ran from 1960 to 1968, producing 86 episodes across four series, plus a television film.
Did Patrick McGoohan ever return to the stage after TV?
He did some stage work after his early TV success, but his primary focus remained on screen roles throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
What is Patrick McGoohan’s legacy in television?
He is credited with creating one of the first truly auteur-driven television series, The Prisoner, which influenced later shows like Lost and Breaking Bad.
Was Patrick McGoohan married?
Yes, he was married to Joan Drummond from 1951 until his death in 2009.
How many children did Patrick McGoohan have?
He had three daughters: Catherine, Anne, and Fanny.
Related reading: Ian Fleming: Author of James Bond · George Orwell: His Life, Controversies, and Lasting Legacy
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Richard Vane is Senior Reporter at MorningTimes.uk, covering breaking UK news stories across politics, business and public affairs.