Patrick McGoohan Biography

British actor Patrick McGoohan had a long career that included memorable roles on the stage, TV and big screen. McGoohan was born in Astoria, Queens in New York City, but when he was six months old his family moved to Ireland. Later, the family moved again, to Sheffield, England. McGoohan first made a name for himself on the British stage, and subsequently starred in an American TV drama called "Secret Agent" ("Danger Man" in the UK), playing a spy. But McGoohan felt limited by the series. His next project was to be his most enduring. He created "The Prisoner," a TV series in which he plays No. 6, a spy who is gassed and taken to a mysterious "village" that he cannot escape. Broadcast in 1968 and 1969, the show's blend of psychedelics and political and philosophical allegory made it an instant cult favorite and commercial failure. Only 17 episodes were made, but the show maintains a loyal following to this day. Younger audiences may remember McGoohan's portrayal of King Edward I in Braveheart.