Clohessy has had recurring roles in daytime dramas "All My Children," "Boy Meets World", and "Guiding Light". In primetime, he has become known for his multiple regular turns as police officers and other law enforcement officials, creating parallels between his acting career and upbringing by his policeman father. The first of such roles was in the seventh and final season of "Hill Street Blues", as Officer Patrick Flaherty. The following season, Clohessy was cast as the new co-star of Pat Morita on the ABC detective series "Ohara", playing Lt. George Shaver.