McCourt was also the younger brother of Pulitzer Prize-winning “Angela’s Ashes” author Frank McCourt.
His wife, Diana McCourt,confirmed the news to theNew York Times.
McCourt himselftold theTimeslast year that he had a heart condition, multiple kinds of cancer, and muscular degeneration.
Malachy McCourt in 2011.John Lamparski/WireImage
He was the oldest surviving child of his seven siblings (Frank McCourt died in 2009).
Actor Richard Harris was a close friend and worked as a bartender there for a time.
McCourt also ran for governor of New York in 2006.
He also appeared as a guest on Jack Paar’sTonight Show.
His stint onRyan’s Hopewas his most prolific period of acting employment.
He appeared on 217 episodes of the ABC soap opera from 1975 to 1989.
