Johnny Shannon

Johnny Shannon (29 July 1932 – 17 March 2017) was an English actor. Best known for his role as gangster Harry Flowers in the cult film Performance, he appeared in numerous television and film productions over a 35-year period, often playing policemen or villains in crime dramas.

Early life and career Johnny Shannon did not take up acting until he was in his late 30s. Previously, he had worked on market stalls in London and as a night driver for newspaper wholesalers. As a young man he had also been a talented amateur boxer in the heavyweight division. During his national service in the army Shannon fought numerous bouts, including against such future British boxing luminaries as Joe Erskine and Henry Cooper. Boxing out of the Fitzroy Lodge Club, Lambeth, he won the south-east London divisional heavyweight final in 1955 and reached the semi-finals of the all-London championship that same year.

In the 1960s, Shannon managed a betting shop while also working part-time as a boxing trainer.

He was in Henry Cooper's corner as a second when Cooper fought Muhammad Ali for the first time in 1963. He died in Lambeth on 17 March 2017, at the age of 84.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1970 Performance Harry Flowers 1971 Villain Heavy Uncredited1972 Hide and Seek Wykes 1972 Something to Hide Lorry Driver 1973 That'll Be the Day Jack 1975 Slade in Flame Ron Harding 1977 Sweeney! Scotland Yard Duty Sgt. 1978 Sweeney 2 Harry - Villain 1980 The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle Man in Prison Cage 1983 Runners The Hotel - Desk Porter 1986 Absolute Beginners Saltzman 1987 Running Out of Luck 1989 Scandal Peter Rachman 2005 Stoned Landlord