Neal McDonough Interview: Buck Compton's Legacy

Neal McDonough has played numerous roles in movies; portraying Buck Compton was fate. It was a "Call of Duty." Read Buck Compton's memoirs about his life before, during, and after "Band of Brothers."

[@phil.deckard]

I had the good fortune to meet Neal many years ago at a private event in Beverly Hills. Truth be told, I was standing next to him at a urinal, introduced myself and told him I was a “big fan.” I jokingly told him, “you probably get that all the time in bathrooms!“ he laughed and we spent about the next 10-15 minutes (outside the restroom) talking about band of brothers, life, etc. He was exceedingly kind and gracious, and it’s a memory that I will always treasure.

[@BFCrusader]

I haven't met the man, but I am a fan of his acting skills and what I know of his personality. I am also awed at knowing I grew up with his voice acting as well (90's Incredible Hulk for instance).

[@tomsampson8084]

In the mid west there is kind of an unwritten rule that men don't look right or left or engage in conversation while at the urinal.

[@MrDannyboyhall]

It’s funny because he seems to play the role of creeps so well it’s actually the nice guys that can play the best bad guys as for his acting job in band of brothers it was exemplary it was like he was literally tortured by war not many actors can pull that off without totally overacting it was a great performance in a truly great show

[@davecordova7211]

cool story. thanks for sharing

[@ClimbingEasy]

@@tomsampson8084 it's a rule everywhere, not just the mid west. He is just a rule breaker, and it's not because of 'california'.

[@sean_connors]

I got two things out of Neil McDonough’s obvious reverence: I’m no hero. I played one, and his name is Buck Compton. Never forget this man. I owe everything to Buck Compton. Buck Compton is my role-model. My mentor. Just like my dad. Neil McDonough demonstrates true humility. One of the last good men in Hollywood.

[@halyourpalg2019]

Band of Brothers was the greatest series ever....

[@yasperuuu6844]

I agree, I just watched the Pacific and that was very interesting and sad too, Probably two of my favorite mini series imo

[@fw1421]

HalYourPal G Band of Brothers was special because we were able to watch these men go from Boot Camp all the way to capturing the Eagles Nest most of them survived the war. The Pacific was different because most of the characters were killed off fairly early. The Pacific war was unbelievably brutal and we lost thousands upon thousands of Marines and Sailors.

[@tylersimplot13]

I thought so too but then The Pacific came out, IDK maybe its the USMC but I love The Pacific

[@fw1421]

Tyler Simplot The Pacific was a good film but not as good as Band of Brothers. It’s not that it’s bad,it’s the nature of the reality of the war in the Pacific. The fatality rate was super high and the main characters we saw pretty much never made it to the end of the war. The fanatical fighting of the Japanese soldiers and the fact that a lot of our guys were essentially dumped on the islands and the fleet had to retreat leaving them on their own was way different that the European Theatre. Those guys had it way worse,those that survived were lucky. They have my greatest respect. My father was on PT Boats in the Pacific and he was lucky to come home.

[@tylersimplot13]

@@fw1421 I do get what your saying overall, I probably like it more as I was int eh Corps, that being said have you seen anything on the Mighty 8th I believe its called? There doing the air war over Europe next.

[@StoryboardMindset]

Neal McDonough seems like a genuinely stand up guy.

[@HartmutJagerArt]

To me Neal McDonough does Not 'seem' to be a 'genuinely stand up guy' - To me, he IS a 'genuinely stand up guy' - and a good person ! - 👍 -

[@AssassinsWeed666]

R.I.P. Lynn Davis "Buck" Compton (December 31, 1921 - February 25, 2012) 1st Lieutenant, Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, United States Army

[@rosered103]

Amen.

[@MrJoebrooklyn1969]

What platoon?

[@jfm562]

🍻🍻

[@rmorgan7653]

Fella had a long life, nice to know someone who went through all that got to live long enough. tell he's hardest story and watch it. Best mini series along side The Pacific.

[@Schaz42]

@@MrJoebrooklyn1969 2nd

[@WarThunder-zt4xw]

This guy is a gentleman. Classy fella you don't see much of among actors these days.

[@unhooked25]

Well there are quite a few actors who in the movies or TV series they are very good actors and seem like very nice people but in real life they are everything from less friendly to absolute jerks.

[@kbanghart]

@@unhooked25 and some who are genuinely nice people. Keanu Reeves for instance.

[@WarThunder-zt4xw]

@@unhooked25 I'm sure that's true for some folks but, this Man is as I said a class act.

[@fuddyruckers3]

@@unhooked25 think they said he is a classy fellow. Never said anything about other actors. Just about this actor

[@fuddyruckers3]

@@unhooked25 not disagreeing with you, a lot of actors are crap assholes. But you're targeting the wrong comment here

[@SurfCityVideo]

Buck Compton was a great American. Tremendous military officer, police officer/lawyer/prosecutor/judge. A life well lived.

[@Anti-leftist7777]

What an amazing fulfilled life he led.

[@riparianlife97701]

I met this guy last night. He's still proud to have worked on Band of Brothers. Even though I loved him as the bad guy in Justified, I'll always think of him as Buck Compton. He's a very nice guy.

[@mattbaker8787]

He did a nice job as Damien Darhk on Arrow as well.

[@davecrupel2817]

@@mattbaker8787 and as Ensign Hawk on Star Trek: First Contact. :P

[@mrhuntalot123]

That one one white cop in Traitor lmao

[@dermotosullivan3065]

In interviews, he comes across as a genuinely nice guy.

[@joemckim1183]

@@davecrupel2817 He was a redshirt!

[@liamtaggart57]

Neal was incredible in Band of Brothers.He brought to life the humanity,the desperation,honour and the sheer bravery of Buck Compton

[@libertyvilleguy2903]

Respectful, humble, dignified and polite. Your parents did a fine job raising you, Neal McDonough. I’m happy that actors like you were chosen to portray fighting heroes like Buck Compton.

[@whitecastle3032]

One of the few actors that still has dignity in his work.

[@davor1873]

This guy just seems like a nice,genuine human being.

[@platinumtank892]

I sorely wish they would have a bio movie of Buck and his post-war career as a cop and DA! I mean you'd never would've thought it but Buck was the one who prosecuted the murderer of Robert F. Kennedy! What more do you need for a kick-ass film!!! And Neal is perfect!!!

[@Kjertinge]

He lives in my town in Vancouver. My buddies and I were at a local bar - and we saw him and we whispered that he looked familiar and luckily I googled band of brothers. And sure enough we approached him, chatted and he bought us a pitcher of beer to cheers to! Truly truly a great guy.

[@johnjameson4901]

Salt of the Earth

[@captwrecked]

His kind words about Buck ring in a few different ways. One: absolutely thankful for the opportunity he's had due to portraying Buck, and Two: in the grand scheme for the fact that any of us are even here to watch this video today thanks to Buck and millions of other amazing people like him who answered the call in WW2.

[@patrickwalsh279]

Lovely interview! I love when life imitates art . . . and vice versa: a good man portraying a good man. Nice job, Neal! Buck must've been certainly honored by your work.

[@zzznakedoctur2681]

Damn. This guy's a class act

[@MikeyD22]

Neal did an awesome job portraying Buck Compton. Both gentlemen seem like very classy individuals.

[@hernameisrio]

The sparkle in his eye when he mentions boot camp is so cute! FYI: the BOB actors meet every year, just like the real Easy Co. guys they portray.

[@khinekhine613]

D Likes This so cool, they get together every year..

[@lilisant]

Great interview! I read Buck Compton's book Call of Duty and enjoyed reading about his life before, during and after WWII, he has had such an interesting life. Neal McDonough is one of my favorite actors and after seeing this interview my respect and admiration for him has increased tremendously. He seems like a real down to earth normal guy, and he has the most gorgeous eyes to boot!

[@lorireed5291]

Band Of Brothers IS an outstanding series!!!! Thank you to Easy Company, and all who fought for this country!💙🇺🇲

[@frankallen9929]

I hear and read a lot of what an extraordinarily good person Dick Winters was, and he has become a hero of mine, but when I watched Band of Brothers and listened to the interviews in which they describe each other, and what they accomplished after the war, I am impressed with what marvelous men they all were. Of course, this includes Buck. He was one of the best, not just of Easy; hard to be the best of those guys, but simply one of the best of people.

[@michor10]

Buck Comptom's life is amazing. Not only was he an accomplished military leader but also an incredible leader in civilian life. A police officer, a Judge, etc. Truly inspirational.

[@skidmark1970]

Read the books, melarky, buck, winters, shifty have all done books. Fantastic to read

[@jaykean9882]

407,316 American men and women were killed on WWII. Many more were wounded to varying degrees. Buck Compton accomplishments shows how much those that were killed in many of the wounded represent so much unrealized potential for themselves, for their loved ones and for the nation. All the men women and children we lost in our many wars especially World war II Nation's Potential Treasure. I've heard leaders talk about the loss of blood and treasure as if the treasure part is on the same plane as the blood. The money is irrelevant to the cost of their lives and the potential loss of love, knowledge, craft & even just the simplest among us have value equal to the Einsteins and Lincolns of this World because they have unknown potential until the day they die. You can't put a value on a person until the day they die and even then that value would be subjective and up for debate. The men and women who fought that war weathered another storm called the Great depression and then they weathered the Cold War. Yes they were truly great, still are. If we can figure out as a planet how not to be sheltered under the gun we might actually survive our youth as a planet, as a species and meet real aliens someday and hope they are kind and see our potential...

[@vanessaboman8143]

Band of Brothers is brilliant!

[@ernestosanchez9438]

Thank you Mr McDonough, you made it very memorable!!

[@corycody6967]

Neal seems like such a genuinely nice guy. I always look forward to anything he is in. I just wish he had gotten more visibility over the years.

[@HartmutJagerArt]

To me Neal McDonough does Not 'seem' to be a 'genuinely nice guy' - To me, he IS a 'genuinely nice guy' - and a good person ! - 👍 -

[@michor10]

Band of Brothers truly is the best series ever made. And the cast is just perfect. I can't get enough of the series and the interviews with the veterans up to this day (2018). I don't know how many times I've watched the interviews but I always learn something new.

[@appetitefordestruction3511]

Agree but so us the pacific!!

[@martinlatour9311]

His breakdown scene in BoB when Bill and Joe get hit is so memorable. Amazing actor

[@jimmyz2098]

The Men of Easy Company were great men, and a great inspiration to me, and a lot of other men in this Country. Great video. Buck was the Man. Band of Brothers was absolutely the best mini-series of all time. There will never be another like it.

[@matthewronson5218]

Band of Brothers IS the greatest mini-series of all time; greatest MEGA-series of all time I'd say, "mega for the exemplary acting, cinematography, costuming, props and production quality right down the the smallest detail.

[@Grossman2868]

Thanks Neal! I absolutely love Band of Brothers. The thing was that you guys actually played the person and not the part to the point that it was hard to fathom that the interviews at the beginning of the episodes were not you guys decades later, great job, thank you

[@jerrygarner]

What a nice guy.

[@MrJJuK]

These group of actors, so much respect for the effort they put in and even going back to France to visit the graves, battlefields and memorials.

[@troy9477]

Great interview. Nice to see that he has such respect for Buck Compton and the whole generation. I didn't know he had contributed to that book. I need to get a copy

[@AntonyTH]

Im currently reading a book, written by Guarnere and Heffron. Really people, read it! It tells you so much more than the movie shows you, and even the movie was awesome and shows you how tough the training and war was for them, but reading the things that are not in the movie, and written by the true heroes, its so interesting :)

[@robertsimpson1640]

@@masudmallick815 i believe its brothers in battle.

[@jeffsanders663]

Just finished it.

[@bradgauldin8643]

I just got it. Signed by wild bill

[@wandaarnt234]

Reading this in 05/2024 will get and read the book watch BOB yearly Blessings from Pennsylvania. Get up and Vote men like Band of Brothers died for you 🙏🎚🇺🇸🇮🇱. John 3:16

[@russelmurphy4868]

I understand that if there is anything going that is connected in any way with "Easy" Company, the actors who portrayed the men of "Easy" will be there, as they consider themselves to be the guardians of their memory and legacy.

[@Hawaiian80882]

Neal you did and excellent job portraying Buck Compton...

[@adriang6259]

Greatest mini series of all time. Without a doubt.

[@tberd906]

Neal, you and the others did a great job. Thank you. BOB is the greatest mini series.

[@williampatterson5067]

At 9:00 what he says is pure truth people. Wake up and help bring back the values and dedication that made our nation and its inhabitants special. This country needs it.

[@johnjameson4901]

It's why some of these actors from BoB never truly made it big. Hollywood hates patriotism for your country. It's a pathetic place full of self hate and degeneracy

[@rosered103]

True.

[@bigtate1439]

I think you meant to put 6:00 as the time stamp

[@bigtate1439]

@@johnjameson4901 What are you even talking about. Every time I watch it, I'm surprised at how many talented, well-known actors are in this miniseries. Damien Lewis, Michael Fassbender, Ron Livingston, Neal McDonough, Tom Hardy, David Schwimmer, Kirk Acevedo, Jimmy Fallon, Colin Hanks, Simon Pegg are all big names in the business. I'm not saying I agree with everything Hollywood does but that's just a stupid statement lol. When people think about America Hollywood is one of the first things to be associated and there are about a bajillion movies celebrating American bravery and patriotism.

[@shinHis3]

​@@bigtate1439 I think he has a point. Most of the movies you're talking about are either old movies (pre-2000) or movies made by old-timers (Spielberg, Hanks, etc.). The younger Hollywood crowd seems to despise American values. Hacksaw Ridge was good but was made in Australia and by someone Hollywood shunned. Dunkirk and 1917's British. I don't remember a good American war movie after Hacksaw.

[@anthonybush607]

I agree with Mr. McDonough that Band of Brothers is perhaps the greatest miniseries (along with the Pacific) ever.

[@michaelhayden5264]

A big advantage for Neal to have met and been so closely associated with Lynn "Buck" Compton. I believe it made him and many of the other actors so much more aware of the men they portrayed.

[@masterm8816]

Band of Brothers is not the greatest mini series of all time, it's the best film of all time. No TV Show, Mini series, Movie or anything will ever compare.

[@barryallender4861]

Neal was really great as Buck Compton. He seems to absorb any role he plays.

[@skeetabix36]

Band of Brothers is the greatest mini series ever made. I must've seen it around 15 - 20 times by now. The book is awesome too!!! I love it!

[@johnralph3704]

It still bothers me that they got Blithe's story wrong. He didn't die in 1948. He lived for another 20 years after that and made master sergeant. Such an easy fix, and especially coming from Spielberg, who's notorious for making changes to his movies.

[@bigtedf07]

This needs to be fixed. Understand he served with distinction. Come on Hanks and Spielberg...do what is righteous in all things!!!

[@crackbadger5906]

They have since apologised and rectified this I believe. At the time of filming, records showed that he did indeed die in 1948. By all accounts he had gone off the radar and everyone had lost contact with him so they went with what they knew at the time

[@bubba4072]

Major Winters talked about this in an interview. He wanted to right a wrong that he thought happened to Blythe. He talked about him healing and volunteering for Korea and parachuting behind enemy lines and being awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart.

[@alanhaynes9672]

Still the best tv series ever made. watched it again for the 12th time

[@geodes4762]

Agree that this is the best mini-series made. Prior to that I enjoyed both “Winds of War” and “War and Remberance”. “North and South” was also very good but none of these beat BoB. I watched “Pacific” and it was good but it was in mu opinion just not as good as BoB.

[@kevinjhonson5925]

Band of Brothers is hands down the best film/documentary about WW2 I re watch it every year.

[@davidforce5617]

Its amazing how these actors have become so attached to the men they portrayed in Band of Brothers.

[@chrispierdominici3891]

Neal McDonough was awesome in Band of Brothers and I've enjoyed seeing his career since. BoB is definitely the best miniseries of all time, the actors did Easy Company credit for that company's service.

[@matthewmc4363]

I think this is. amazing. Astounding.

[@CrazyHank36]

Great interview. I love how Neal has some much respect for Buck.

[@greenbeagle13]

"Band of Brothers" is the BEST series ever made, so much realism about war instead of the John Wayne movies.... Buck was one of my favorite characters in this movie.....!!

[@Almacni]

I now look and you as an actor say hey that is Buck...fantastic actor that has a great charm that he cam pick up on any character and convince the audience.

[@Oldag75]

For his appreciation of the role, this actor is One Great Guy.

[@David-sk9vv]

WoW... "...Instead of making a life of our lives..." Quite possibly the most honest truth most of us will ever have to realise; that we do not do this.

[@mr.society396]

Buck (Neal) made me cry at the moment he lost his friends in Belgium, great actor.

[@Padoinky]

Neil is a good ole son of Ireland, Bay State raised and educated by both Syracuse University and our shared brotherhood membership in the Sigma Chi National Fraternity - Psi-Psi Chapter @ Syracuse University. I was two years senior to Neal and even as a lowly freshman-year pledge, he was a uniquely memorable character. It is indeed a cool thing to see his ugly mug on various streaming platforms and realize that many of the famous and infamous are pretty much just your normal guy.

[@SPINGOREB]

Cheers for posting this - a company of heroes!

[@LJG0621]

Thank you so much for posting this great interview. It's rare to find such gems nowadays, and this was a wonderful one. :)

[@EamseyBoy]

What an absolute gent 👏🏼

[@gargamel1940]

He's a phenomenal actor.

[@alvaroroca3]

Great guy! thanks for your marvellous acting as Buck Compton!

[@davidkimmel4216]

Fantastic interview. Thank You

[@mikeybreakz6292]

you all got it right and honored the memories and legends of the band of brothers.

[@Wideoval73]

Great interview. Thanks for all the insights.

[@johnmunro4952]

What a lovely interview.

[@fredrickmillstead6397]

Band of Brothers is the finest series ever made.

[@fredanastas7103]

I like this man both as an actor and because of his morals.

[@clintmatthews2714]

I always liked him........terrific actor and a great guy.

[@TheSerpent21]

He's a great actor and person.

[@retrocny5625]

Band of Brothers is my favorite war-related film/series ever made. I've owned the dvd box set ever since it first became available and I swear I think I've burned those discs out by this point based on how many times I've watched the series over the years. It never, ever gets old. Not for me. I'm a huge WW2 history buff and I've always been fascinated with the western front and the European theater of operations but that's only part of it. The characters themselves and the casting choices were so spot on. None of these guys were big name actors really, certainly not on the same level as Tom Hanks and Matt Damon from Saving Private Ryan -- but they all did the job so perfectly and their dedication to the real men was so evident in every single scene in the series. The characters were so good that I often said to myself "Man, if I had to be in that situation I would've loved to have been in it with those guys". And they weren't even the real men, they were just actors being paid to play the parts of the men who fought and bled for freedom loving people everywhere. Buck Compton aka Neal here was one of my favorite characters in the mini-series without question. Awesome character. This series will go down as a classic for years to come.

[@benf1111]

Seems like a really nice guy. I really love how all of these actors seemed to have bonded with the men they played

[@andywagner212]

Always anjoy Neal McDonough and Damian Lewis.

[@fdijkstra614]

Bought the book in 2009 at Duxford Flying Legend airshow where it got signed in person by Don Malarkey, Brad Freeman, Ed Tipper and Buck Compton.

[@VernonWallace]

Excellent and moral man.

[@gothard5]

I’ll always see Neal as Buck Compton and Damian Dhark. I have read Buck’s book as well as several other Easy Company books. These men will always have my utmost respect and admiration.

[@axelandstuefreed]

Well done Neil. You did a superb job playing a real american hero. God bless you buck...I mean Neil.

[@salish.nation]

If i was an actor i would be so proud to be a part of the series wow

[@karlwarner7401]

MR. McDonough has played many bad guys since. yet This is the very first show I know him from. He will aways be Buck Compton, a real American hero, to me.

[@lindseypooh09]

Incredible series!

[@seanroberts171]

I love your voice, neal!!

[@merrylmarsh9037]

Like all the BOB cast Niel gave a stellar performance. He is an elegant performer.

[@carlpatterson1521]

I feel the same way, because I'm a felon, I no longer have a say as it should be. I believe in America, and those that came before us, I stand next to every American, our Military, and, Law Enforcement is second to none. I served my time, I believe all of us serve our time, just do your job, be of good cheer, for God will sort us out.

[@amygeer9162]

I loved him in the movie Band of Brothers. So great.

[@Sw4de]

I would watch Neal portraying Buck after the war in like a mini series, that would be awesome

[@iksyojip]

thank you sir!!!

[@TermiteUSA]

Always remember to credit and thank Historian Stephen Ambrose for drawing these stories out of Winters and others. His books and life work starting the WW2 Museum were outstanding. Hanks even admitted that Ambrose first made Hanks agree to not play Major Winters by then he would've been too old.

[@JakeSpeed1000]

He's a good human being

[@devinpetersen2387]

"It's a piggie bank!" I have always enjoyed seeing him on the screen.

[@user-br3bw7wr2l]

I think I heard somewhere that he was about to give up on acting when he got BoB. Something about him possibly going to back to work in his parents hotel/motel. So glad he got the part, was moved by his scenes in Bastogne.

[@grast5150]

Great Mini-series about Great men!

[@ClayBlasdel44]

I never understood why he wasn't one of the top tier movie stars. He needs that breakout role

[@HartmutJagerArt]

Yes, to me it is also a great mystery why Neal McDonough did not become, is not a Super Star ! - But sometimes it happens for strange reasons ! (Christopher Plummer is one like these too - actors who have great looks and great acting abilities !)

[@knessing7681]

Remember, Neal McDonough was also Lt. Hawke on the Starshp Enterprise D, and was assimilated by the Borg.

[@cassielle5]

Yes very great and interesting interview. The Buck Compton life is very interesting and Neal is equal to himself and always a true guy which is not rotten by the middle where he works. He has the values and a common sense. This interview is a great pleasure. thanks for posting

[@andrewpotter3954]

What a nice guy

[@N.I.R.A.T.I.A.S.]

I like how he's talking about his career and Buck's career being intertwined but Buck was never a crime boss down in Kentucky.

[@carstereobandits]

Fantastic.

[@johnralph3704]

Neal gives one of the funniest readings when Popeye is shot in the butt at the assault of Brecourt Manor. "Your ass?"

[@whyintheworldamiallowedsuc400]

I just heard those words vividly in my head XD

[@kennethburchett6393]

Lol… all while under fire! 😂😂😂 good stuff🇺🇸

[@cl604driver]

True that!!

[@cl604driver]

@@whyintheworldamiallowedsuc400 Me too!! 🤣🤣

[@twofarg0ne763]

Agreed - greatest mini-series of all time.

[@oneparticularharbor144]

Just a good Cape Cod boy- amazing actor, and seemingly an all around good guy.