Harry Shannon

Harry Shannon

1890-06-12

Biography

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.

Also appears in

Citizen Kane

Citizen Kane

8.0

The Gunfighter

The Gunfighter

7.2

High Noon

High Noon

7.7

Touch of Evil

Touch of Evil

7.8

This Gun for Hire

This Gun for Hire

6.9

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House

7.0

Champion

Champion

6.6

The Tall Men

The Tall Men

6.3

The Lady from Shanghai

The Lady from Shanghai

7.4

Crack-Up

Crack-Up

5.6

Written on the Wind

Written on the Wind

6.9

The Lemon Drop Kid

The Lemon Drop Kid

6.9

The Violent Men

The Violent Men

6.4

The Red House

The Red House

6.2

Wild in the Country

Wild in the Country

6.3

The Mummy’s Ghost

The Mummy’s Ghost

5.8

The Killer That Stalked New York

The Killer That Stalked New York

6.1

Pride of the Marines

Pride of the Marines

6.5

Gypsy

Gypsy

6.3

Yellowstone Kelly

Yellowstone Kelly

6.1