Harry Shannon
Known For: Acting
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: June 12, 1890
Day of Death: July 27, 1964 (74 years old)
Place of Birth: Saginaw, Michigan, USA
Born and raised on a farm in Michigan in 1890, Irish-American character actor Harry Shannon had the credentials for becoming a staple player in westerns. He started off his career traveling around with repertory and stock companies and developed his musical abilities in tent shows, burlesque houses and such tuneful Broadway shows as "Oh, Kay!" (1926), "Hold Everything" (1928), "Simple Simon" (1931), and "Pardon My English" (1933). A company member of Joseph Schildkraut's Hollywood Theater Guild, Shannon broke into films at the advent of sound and started things off in comedy film shorts opposite such celebrated players as Bert Lahr, Shemp Howard, and Leon Errol. In the 1940s Shannon established himself in feature-length movies and although he remained a minor, second-string player, he proved himself a durable presence in westerns usually remaining on the good side of the law as sheriffs and bucolic dads. In lighthearted entertainment he could be found as a friendly Irish cop or bartender. He made a slight but memorable impression as Kane's alcoholic father in the classic Citizen Kane (1941), while his last role would be as the grandfather in the musical Gypsy (1962). In between were small parts in such notable films as The Fighting Sullivans (1944), The Jolson Story (1946), High Noon (1952), Touch of Evil (1958), and The Buccaneer (1958). 1950s TV westerns such as Cheyenne (1955), Have Gun - Will Travel (1957), Rawhide (1959), and Gunsmoke (1955) made consistent use of his rustic demeanor. Shannon died in 1964 at age 74.
1984
1962
1961
1959
1958
1957
1956
1955
1954
1953
1952
1951
1950
Actor Dr. Maynard
Where Danger Lives
Actor Police Officer Houlihan
The Killer That Stalked New York
Actor George Parker
The Underworld Story
Actor Charlie
The Jackie Robinson Story
Actor Wallace Bennett
Hunt the Man Down
Actor Judge Waller
Singing Guns
Actor Clay
Curtain Call at Cactus Creek
Actor Vice Admiral Williams
The Flying Missile
Actor Clanahan
Three Little Words
Actor Chuck (uncredited)
The Gunfighter
Actor Sandy Reeves
Cow Town
Actor Mr. Yaeger
The Sound of Fury
Actor Kelsey Bunker
Tarnished
1949
1948
1947
Actor Cab Driver
The Lady from Shanghai
Actor Dr. Jonathan Byrne
The Red House
Actor Police Lieutenant
Nora Prentiss
Actor Detective Owens, San Diego Police
The Devil Thumbs a Ride
Actor Mr. Holstrom
The Farmer's Daughter
Actor Det. Capt. R.W. Davis
The Invisible Wall
Actor Severance
Exposed
Actor Capt. Rogers
Time Out of Mind
Actor Judge Raymond
Dangerous Years
1946
1945
1944
1943
1942
Actor Steve Finnerty
This Gun for Hire
Actor Pinky Dolan
The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine
Actor Mr. Tim Wiggs
Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch
Actor Ed Cumberland
Once Upon a Honeymoon
Actor Mr. Carlin
In Old California
Actor Detective Grimes (Uncredited)
The Falcon Takes Over
Actor Barnes
The Lady Is Willing
Actor Florida Doctor (Uncredited)
The Big Street
Actor Policeman
The Mad Martindales
1941
1940
Actor Passline
City of Chance
Actor Capt. Mahoney
Tugboat Annie Sails Again
Actor Father McGann
Sailor's Lady
Actor Randall
Parole Fixer
Actor Army Captain Brackett
Young Tom Edison
Actor Mr. Casey
Too Many Girls
Actor Ed, Chief of Police
Gambling on the High Seas
Actor Lieutenant Sullivan
Tear Gas Squad
Actor McDermott
One Crowded Night
Actor Timson
The Girl from Avenue A
