In 1899 he was discovered by illustrious stage actor George Rignold, and he traveled on an extended Australian tour with Rignold’s company. In mid-1902 McDermott traveled to New York via Canada, joining Mrs Patrick Campbell’s a company soon after and appearing on Broadway, as Sir George Orreyed in The Second Mrs. Tanqeray.
McDermott was identified by celebrated stage actor George Rignold in 1899 and subsequently toured Australia with Rignold's theater group for an extended period. Two years later, McDermott traveled to New York via Canada, joined Campbell's theater company soon after, and made his Broadway appearance as Sir George Orreyed in The Second Mrs. Tanqeray.