J.D. Cannon was a veteran character actor who is best known for his role as Chief of Detectives Peter B. Clifford in the TV series McCloud. He also appeared in many other shows and movies, often playing gruff and authoritative characters. He died of natural causes at his home in Hudson, New York, on May 20, 2005, at the age of 83. Here is a brief overview of his life and career, and the circumstances of his death.
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Early Life and Education
J.D. Cannon was born as John Donovan Cannon on April 24, 1922, in Salmon, Idaho. He was one of six children of a farmer and a schoolteacher. He moved with his family to Los Angeles when he was in junior high school, and developed an interest in acting. He graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City in 1942, after which he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He returned to New York after the war and resumed his acting career on stage.
Stage and Film Career
Cannon was a founding member of Joseph Papp’s New York Shakespeare Festival, starring in their productions of The Taming of the Shrew and Much Ado About Nothing. He also appeared on Broadway in Henry IV, Lysistrata, and Peer Gynt. He made his film debut in 1966, in An American Dream, and went on to play supporting roles in several films, often as a cold-eyed villain. Some of his notable film credits include Cool Hand Luke, Cotton Comes to Harlem, Lawman, Scorpio, Raise the Titanic, Death Wish II, and Beyond Witch Mountain.
Television Career
Cannon first appeared on television in 1958, as a poker-hustling master sergeant in The Phil Silvers Show. He guest-starred in many series over the years, such as The Untouchables, The Defenders, Gunsmoke, The Fugitive, The Invaders, Combat!, The Wild, Wild West, The Virginian, Alias Smith and Jones, Remington Steele, Murder, She Wrote, and Law & Order. His most famous role was as Chief of Detectives Peter B. Clifford in McCloud, a cop drama that aired on NBC from 1970 to 1977. He co-starred with Dennis Weaver, who played a New Mexico detective who is temporarily assigned to New York City. Cannon’s character was the perpetually exasperated, choleric, cigar-chewing boss of Weaver’s character, and their comedic chemistry was one of the highlights of the show.
Personal Life and Death
Cannon was married to Alice Mary McCamley, a former actress, from 1947 until his death. They had no children. He retired from acting in 1991, after his last appearance on Law & Order. He lived in a farmhouse in Hudson, New York, where he enjoyed gardening and reading. He died of natural causes at his home on May 20, 2005, at the age of 83. He was survived by his wife and two brothers. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered on his property.
Legacy and Tributes
Cannon was a respected and versatile actor who left a lasting impression on his fans and colleagues. He was praised for his ability to play a wide range of characters, from villains to heroes, from comedy to drama. He was also known for his professionalism and his generosity. He received several awards and nominations for his work, including a Golden Globe nomination for McCloud in 1974. He was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1985. After his death, many of his co-stars and friends paid tribute to him, such as Dennis Weaver, who said, “He was a wonderful actor and a wonderful human being. He was my friend and I loved him.” According to Wikipedia, Cannon was also a mentor to young actors, such as Tom Selleck, who said, “He taught me a lot about acting and a lot about life.”
