He was born in Telford, Pennsylvania, the son of Bruce, a contractor, and Dolores McArthur.
[1] He studied acting at De Anza College and San Jose State University,[2][3] and worked as a bartender at the legendary nightclub Studio 54 in New York.
[4][5] McArthur became known for portraying Charlie Reece in the film Rampage, and Duell McCall in the western TV film series Desperado, whose original screenplay was written by Elmore Leonard.
[6][7] He was nominated for Gemini Awards for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, for the television film Woman on the Run: The Lawrencia Bembenek Story.
[2][3] On December 21, 2019, McArthur's son Jacob was shot and killed in Oroville, California.