John Donovan Cannon graduated from high school in his hometown ofSalmon, Idaho, in 1940. His subsequent studies at the Academy ofDramatic Arts were interrupted as a result of wartime military servicefrom 1942 to 1945. After the war, Cannon returned to New York tocomplete his training and acting on the stage, both on andoff-Broadway, trying his hand at a wide variety of parts, mostly inclassical plays. He essayed "Petruchio" in "The Taming of the Shrew"and appeared on Broadway in "Henry IV", "Lysistrata" and "Peer Gynt".Leading roles were few and far between, however.

Once Cannon had found his niche as a frequent guest star on numeroustelevision episodes, his career as a motion picture actor becamesomewhat desultory, though he had memorable roles in two films: as theroad gang convict "Society Red" inCool Hand Luke (1967); and as thegangster "Calhoun" inRorusu Roisu ni gin no jû (1970).His first TV appearance was as a poker-hustling master sergeant in a1958 episode ofThe Phil Silvers Show (1955).His tough screen persona was pretty well established by the mid-60's,though, against character, he portrayed the timid weakling "LloydChandler" (witness to the original crime committed by the "one-armedman") in the final denouement installment ofThe Fugitive (1963). He was athis scene-stealing best in an episode ofThe Invaders (1967) as "PeterKalter", a strangely sympathetic mobster who turns against his ownoutfit and aids the chief protagonist against the impending alienthreat.

In his recurring role as lawman "Harry Briscoe" in the western comedyseriesAlias Smith and Jones (1971),Cannon was again given the opportunity to deliver some enjoyablycaustic one-liners, something at which he excelled. He will arguably bemost fondly remembered for his popular portrayal of the perpetuallyexasperated, choleric, cigar-chewing NYPD Chief of Detectives, "PeterB. Clifford", inMcCloud (1970)(1970-77).

- IMDb Mini Biography By: I.S.Mowis