J. D. Cannon
Encyclopedia
John Donovan "J. D." Cannon (April 24, 1922 – May 20, 2005), was an American actor. An alumnus of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
, he is probably best known for his co-starring role of Chief Clifford in the television
series McCloud, with Dennis Weaver
from 1970 until 1977, for his role in Cool Hand Luke
(1967), and for his role as the witness who cleared Dr. Richard Kimble (David Janssen
) in "The Judgment", the series finale of The Fugitive (TV series)
. Cannon also played General Hampton on Call to Glory
(1984).
Cannon served in the army
in World War II
, and made his first television appearance in 1960. He played a recurring character in the American western series Alias Smith and Jones
(1971-73), playing a lawman named Harry Briscoe working for the Bannerman Detective Agency, and he appeared in many guest roles through his acting career. His last television acting appearance was on Law & Order
in 1991.
He wore a toupee in most of his later roles. The exception was an episode of Remington Steele
(1982-86). Here Cannon played a TV news anchor who only wore his toupee while broadcasting.
His wife Alice appeared on Broadway in several productions including Company and Johnny Johnson. She also wrote Great Day In The Morning, which ran between March 28, 1962 - April 7, 1962.
Cannon's known survivors were his wife Alice Cannon, of Hudson, New York, and his brothers Joseph Cannon, of Portland, Oregon and Frank Cannon, of Belton, Texas.
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
The American Academy of Dramatic Arts is a fully accredited two-year conservatory with facilities located in Manhattan, New York City – at 120 Madison Avenue, in a landmark building designed by noted architect Stanford White as the original Colony Club – and in Hollywood, California...
, he is probably best known for his co-starring role of Chief Clifford in the television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
series McCloud, with Dennis Weaver
Dennis Weaver
William Dennis Weaver was an American actor, best known for his work in television, including roles on Gunsmoke, as Marshal Sam McCloud on the NBC police drama McCloud, and the 1971 TV movie Duel....
from 1970 until 1977, for his role in Cool Hand Luke
Cool Hand Luke
Cool Hand Luke is a 1967 American prison drama film directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring Paul Newman. The screenplay was adapted by Donn Pearce and Frank Pierson from Pearce's 1965 novel of the same name. The film features George Kennedy, Strother Martin, J.D...
(1967), and for his role as the witness who cleared Dr. Richard Kimble (David Janssen
David Janssen
David Janssen was an American film and television actor who is best known for his starring role as Dr. Richard Kimble in the television series The Fugitive , the starring role in the 1950s hit detective series Richard Diamond, Private Detective , and as Harry Orwell on Harry O.In 1996 TV Guide...
) in "The Judgment", the series finale of The Fugitive (TV series)
The Fugitive (TV series)
The Fugitive is an American drama series produced by QM Productions and United Artists Television that aired on ABC from 1963 to 1967. David Janssen stars as Richard Kimble, a doctor from the fictional town of Stafford, Indiana, who is falsely convicted of his wife's murder and given the death...
. Cannon also played General Hampton on Call to Glory
Call to Glory
Call to Glory was an American television series that aired 23 episodes during the 1984-1985 TV season on the ABC-TV network. Starring Craig T. Nelson as a USAF pilot, Colonel Raynor Sarnac. In the course of its production run, it drifted away from its original reasonably authentic setting and...
(1984).
Cannon served in the army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and made his first television appearance in 1960. He played a recurring character in the American western series Alias Smith and Jones
Alias Smith and Jones
Alias Smith and Jones is an American Western series that originally aired on ABC from 1971 to 1973. It stars Pete Duel as Hannibal Heyes and Ben Murphy as Jedediah "Kid" Curry, a pair of Western cousin outlaws trying to reform...
(1971-73), playing a lawman named Harry Briscoe working for the Bannerman Detective Agency, and he appeared in many guest roles through his acting career. His last television acting appearance was on Law & Order
Law & Order
Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
in 1991.
He wore a toupee in most of his later roles. The exception was an episode of Remington Steele
Remington Steele
Remington Steele is an American television series, co-created by Robert Butler and Michael Gleason. The series, starring Stephanie Zimbalist and Pierce Brosnan, was produced by MTM Enterprises and first broadcast on the NBC network from 1982 to 1987. The series blended the genres of romantic...
(1982-86). Here Cannon played a TV news anchor who only wore his toupee while broadcasting.
His wife Alice appeared on Broadway in several productions including Company and Johnny Johnson. She also wrote Great Day In The Morning, which ran between March 28, 1962 - April 7, 1962.
Cannon's known survivors were his wife Alice Cannon, of Hudson, New York, and his brothers Joseph Cannon, of Portland, Oregon and Frank Cannon, of Belton, Texas.