Michael J. Shannon

Michael J. Shannon (January 24, 1943 – November 23, 2023), also billed as simply Michael Shannon, was an American actor and playwright.

Life and career Shannon was best known for appearances in films such as Little Shop of Horrors, Red Dwarf, Future Cop and We'll Meet Again, the last two being his most substantial television roles, as Officer John Haven and Major James Kiley, respectively.

Shannon was born in Chicago on January 24, 1943. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Arts from Northwestern University (whose School of Communication grants Bachelor of Science degrees in all of its programs of study, including theater). He subsequently received a Master of Arts in Oral Interpretation from Northwestern.

In addition to his filmography, he maintained substantial theatrical acting credits throughout his career, including the British premiere of Arthur Kopit's The End of the World with Symposium to Follow in Southampton (Nuffield Theatre) and the London premiere of A. R. Gurney's The Dining Room (Greenwich Theatre, 1983, directed by Alan Strachan). In 2013 he gave four benefit performances in aid of Amnesty International of the monumental one-man play Clarence Darrow by David V. Rintels, based on the life of the lawyer and founding member of the American Civil Liberties Union, at the Teahouse Theatre in Vauxhall, London.

The first play he authored, Deros On the Funny Farm, was first produced at the Long Wharf Theater in New Haven in 1981 with Kevin Bacon in the lead.

Theme of the American President A recurring feature of his career, in acting and writing, is the figure of the American president. He portrayed John F. Kennedy in the BBC television series Red Dwarf, starred in two episodes of the ABC television series Call to Glory titled 'JFK' (parts 1 and 2, though not as the president) and has written and starred in a one-man play, JFK on JFK. Hoyt Hilsman, in reviewing the play for Back Stage West, wrote, "Shannon's memorable performance captures the soul of the late president like none other in recent memory."

Shannon took the role of Harding in James Staley's play about the scandal-plagued American president Warren G. Harding, Everyone's Friend, which premiered in August 1999 at Whitefire Theatre. Los Angeles Times critic Philip Brandes wrote that "Shannon makes a heartbreakingly believable case for Harding's ignorance of and outrage at the abuses of his Cabinet."

Shannon portrayed Abraham Lincoln in a play he also authored, Watching with Lincoln, produced at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2014.

His play Liberty Rising is set in the Revolutionary War featuring George Washington and John Adams alongside their wives Martha and Abigail.

Personal life Shannon was the second husband of the late British-born actress Vickery Turner. He and Turner met during the American season of Frith Banbury's production of the play The Day After The Fair by Frank Harvey, which opened on September 4, 1973 at the Auditorium Theatre in Denver, Colorado and closed January 20, 1974 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Shannon played the role of Bradford and Turner the role of Anna. Their daughter Caitlin is also an actress and writer.

Shannon died on November 23, 2023, at the age of 80.

Filmography Films

TV + Television Year Title Role Notes1972All My Children Dr. Bill Hoffman(TV series), 1 episode,1975The Hanged Man Milton Webber, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV mini-series), 1 episode: "Grail and Platter", 1976Arthur Hailey's the Moneychangers Lew Endicott(American TV mini-series), 4 episodesRock Follies Carl 'Tubes' Benson(TV mini-series), 5 episodesNouvelles d'Henry JamesJames Sinclair, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV series), 1 episode: "L'auteur de Beltraffio"1976–1977Future CopOfficer Haven(American TV series), 7 episodes1977The Feather and Father Gang Richard(American TV series), 1 episode: "Here a Spy, There a Spy"1978LillieFreddie Gebhard, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV series), 2 episodes: "America" and "Home on the Range"TargetBradley(TV series), 1 episode: "Rogue's Gallery"Cops and RobinJohn Haven(American TV Pilot, follow-up of Future Cop)1978–1979Wonder WomanLt. Stonehouse (1978) / Cameron (1979)(American TV series), 3 episodes1979The Best Place to Be Patrick Callahan(American TV movie)Charlie's AngelsTim Stone(American TV series), 1 episode: "Rosemary, for Remembrance"Lou Grant Mac McIvor(American TV series), 1 episode: "Gambling"1981RikerBrice Landis(American TV series), 5 episodesEight Is EnoughBen Catron(American TV series), 1 episode: "If the Glass Slipper Fits"1982We'll Meet Again Major James Kiley / Maj. Jim Kiley(TV series), 13 episodes1983Shades of Darkness Edward Boyne, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV series), 1 episode: "Afterward"The Paper ChaseMorrison(TV series), 1 episode: "Spreading It Thin"Philip Marlowe, Private EyeDr. Sutro, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV series), 1 episode: "Smart Aleck Kill"Perfect Shadows Chuck Miller, credited as Michael J. Shannon(American TV movie)1984Partners in CrimeHamilton Frye(American TV series), 1 episode: "The Set-Up"1985Behind Enemy Lines Robert Harwell(American TV movie)Call to GloryMalcolm Sloane(American TV series), 2 episodes: "JFK: Part 1" and "JFK: Part 2"Simon & SimonDr. Claude Dreyer(American TV series), 1 episode: "Out-of-Town Brown"Remington SteeleFrank Bigelow(American TV series), 1 episode: "Now You Steele It, Now You Don't"1986The A-TeamRandy Anderson(American TV series), 1 episode: "The Grey Team"The Ted Kennedy Jr. Story Senator John Tunney(American TV movie) Dempsey and MakepeaceConrad, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV series), 2 episodes: "The Burning" and "The Burning:Part 2"Scarecrow and Mrs. KingDr. Scardelli(American TV series), 1 episode: "The Eyes Have It"1987Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story Morley Kennerly, credited as Michael J. Shannon(American TV movie)The Ladies(TV movie)The Two Mrs. GrenvillesJack Fisher, credited as Michael J. Shannon(American TV mini-series), 1 episode: "Episode #1.1" and "Episode #1.2"1988Out of the Shadows Frank Osbourne(American TV movie)A Very Peculiar PracticeVice-Chancellor Jack Daniels(TV series), 7 episodes1989Pride and Extreme Prejudice Chapinski, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV movie)BoonPeter Shelley, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV series), 1 episode: "Sickness and Health"Anything More Would Be GreedyToby Dehring(TV mini-series), 6 episodesTailspin: Behind the Korean Airliner Tragedy Grover(TV movie)Murder by Moonlight Ivanov(TV movie)1990PoirotMr Baker Wood, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV series), 1 episode: "Double Sin"1991Merlin of the Crystal CaveBlackbeard(TV series), 2 episodes: "The Return" and "Reckoning"Josie (TV series), 1 episode: "Episode #1.6"1992The Big Battalions David(TV mini-series), 4 episodes1993Prime Suspect 3 (TV mini-series)Jake Hunter, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV series), 1 episode: "Part 1"Maigret Oswald Clark, credited as Michael J. Shannon(French TV series), 1 episode: "Maigret and the Hotel Majestic"1994Fatherland US Ambassador, credited as Michael J. Shannon(American TV movie)ScarlettMaxwell(TV mini-series), 1 episode: "Episode #1.1"RoyceSenator Scanlon, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV movie)Under the HammerCharles B. Whiteside, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV series), 1 episode: "After Titian"1995Goodnight SweetheartEd Murrow, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV series), 1 episode: "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea"Screen TwoNeil Turkle(TV series), 1 episode: "Nervous Energy"The AffairCapt. Ford(TV movie)Detonator II: Night Watch Martin Schraeder, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV movie)The Boss (TV series)Milton Macrae, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV series), 1 episode: "Pilot"Space PrecinctDr. Henry Jansen, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV series), 1 episode: "Flash"1996In Suspicious Circumstances Philip Yale Drew, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV series), 1 episode: "The Monster of Reading"199713th RiderRobert(TV series), 1 episodeScreen One (TV series)Admiral, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV series), 1 episode: "Hostile Waters"Red DwarfJohn F. Kennedy, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV series), 1 episode: "Tikka to Ride"199830 Years to Life Graham, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV movie)Only Love Dr. Duncan, credited as Michael J. Shannon(American TV movie)1999CI5: The New ProfessionalsStryker, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV series), 1 episode: "Phoenix"1999-2001JAGMajor General Richard Plesac(American TV series), 2 episodes: "War Stories" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside"2004Crossing JordanPhilip Corday, credited as Michael J. Shannon(American TV series), 1 episode: "Dead in the Water"2007Brothers & Sisters Tom Burgess, credited as Michael J. Shannon(American TV series), 1 episode: "Domestic Issues"You've Got a FriendBrayton Jennings(American TV movie)The RichesAshley Tutt, credited as Michael J. Shannon(American TV series), 1 episode: "Believe the Lie"2008Boston LegalAvery Wilson(American TV series), 1 episode: "The Gods Must Be Crazy"2014EndeavourNahum Gardiner, credited as Michael J. Shannon(TV series), 1 episode: "Nocturne"