John Mahon (actor)

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John Mahon
Born
John Patrick Mahon[1]

(1938-02-03)February 3, 1938
Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMay 3, 2020(2020-05-03) (aged 82)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Scranton (BA)
Years active1973–2009
Children2

John Patrick Mahon (February 3, 1938[2] – May 3, 2020) was an American film, stage and television actor. He was perhaps best known for playing Captain Gillette in the 2007 film Zodiac.[3]

Early life and education[edit]

Mahon was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania,[2] the son of an attorney.[4] Mahon had acted while at high school, and at university he met playwright Jason Miller, who encouraged him to audition for stage plays at Marywood College. Shortly after, Mahon joined the University Players.[5]

Mahon studied classical languages and English literature at the University of Scranton.[2] In 1950 he contracted polio, which paralyzed him for a time and left him without the full use of his left arm.[1][2]

Acting career[edit]

After graduating from college, Mahon moved to New York City, where he worked as the supervisor of two paper mills. After two years, he decided to try acting as a profession, appearing in off-Broadway productions while working as a taxi driver and waiter.[5] In 1971, Mahon was nominated for a New York Drama Critics Award in the category Best Actor, for his performance in the play Nobody Hears a Broken Drum.[2] He continued to appear on stage through the 1970s, also directing plays.[3]

Mahon guest-starred in television programs including Frasier, Cagney & Lacey, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (7 episodes), Just Shoot Me!, Jake and the Fatman, Steambath, Knots Landing, Generations, The X-Files, Hill Street Blues, St. Elsewhere, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Diagnosis: Murder, Hunter and The Rockford Files.[1][2][3] In 1973 Mahon appeared in a small role in the film The Exorcist.[2][5] Other film appearances included The People Under the Stairs, One False Move, Bad Influence, L.A. Confidential, The Couch Trip, Armageddon, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and Zodiac.[3][1][2] In 1995, Mahon played the role of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the film The American President.[4]

In 2014, Mahon wrote a memoir titled A Life of Make Believe: From Paralysis to Hollywood.[2][5]

Personal life[edit]

Mahon had two children. He died in May 2020 of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 82.[1][2][3][6]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1973 The Exorcist Language Lab Director
1988 The Couch Trip Police Captain
1990 Bad Influence Dr. Fielding
1991 The People Under the Stairs Police Sergeant
1992 One False Move Chief Jenkins
1995 The American President Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
1997 L.A. Confidential Police Chief
1998 Armageddon Karl
1999 Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me NATO Colonel
2007 Zodiac Riverside Captain
2009 A Call to Arms Major General Cosgrove

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1976 Collision Course: Truman vs. MacArthur Hoyt Vandenberg Television film
1976 The Blue Knight SWAT Commander Episode: "To Kill a Tank"
1976 Police Woman Fireman Episode: "Tender Soldier"
1976–1977 The Rockford Files Various roles 3 episodes
1977 Police Story Det. Leo Luna Episode: "The Blue Fog"
1977 Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years Veteran Television film
1977 A Killing Affair Det. Shoup
1977, 1978 Kojak I. A. D. Man / Lawton 2 episodes
1978 Someone's Watching Me! Frimsin Television film
1983 Manimal Man Episode: "Breath of the Dragon"
1984 Automan The Policeman Episode: "Zippers"
1984 Cagney & Lacey DPA Clerk Episode: "Baby Broker"
1984 Steambath The Fan Episode: "A Preacher and a Jock"
1985 Cover Up Limo Driver Episode: "Murder Offshore"
1985 Crazy Like a Fox Lt. Doyle Episode: "Fox in Wonderland"
1985 St. Elsewhere Police Officer Episode: "Cheers"
1985 T. J. Hooker Mr. Zewecki Episode: "The Chicago Connection"
1985 Simon & Simon Minister Episode: "Love and/or Marriage"
1985 Misfits of Science Technician Episode: "Guess What's Coming to Dinner"
1985 Knight Rider Alfie Girdler Episode: "Knight Racer"
1985 MacGyver Vendor Episode: "The Prodigal"
1985, 1986 Hill Street Blues Mario / Detective McConnell 2 episodes
1986 Betrayed by Innocence Bailiff Television film
1986 Stingray Desk Sgt. Episode: "Sometimes You Gotta Sing the Blues"
1986 Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer Sergeant Cramer Episode: "Dead Pidgeon"
1987 Six Against the Rock Officer Bill Miller Television film
1987 Hooperman Chapell Episode: "Aria da Capo"
1988 Shakedown on the Sunset Strip Deputy Chief Evans Television film
1989 Hunter I.A.D. Officer #2 Episode: "Shoot to Kill"
1989 Generations Captain Parker 2 episodes
1989 Baywatch Arnold Anderson Episode: "The Cretin of the Shallows"
1989 Billy Crystal: Midnight Train to Moscow Cabinet Member Television film
1990 Dallas Captain Holgar Episode: "A Tale of Two Cities"
1990 Jake and the Fatman Jameson Episode: "You Took Advantage of Me"
1990 Equal Justice Detective Stassen Episode: "The Price of Justice"
1990 Knots Landing Various roles 3 episodes
1991 Flesh 'n' Blood Holly's Dad Episode: "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing"
1992 Murder Without Motive: The Edmund Perry Story Inspector Hedges Television film
1992 Final Shot: The Hank Gathers Story LMU Coach
1992 Homefront Bus Driver Episode: "When the Stars Begin to Fall"
1992 Sinatra Mr. Cleaves 2 episodes
1993 Space Rangers Amb. Hardcastle Episode: "Death Before Dishonor"
1993 Cutters Dave Episode: "Give 'Til It Hurts"
1993 Lifepod Earth Corp Ship Commander Television film
1994 Teresa's Tattoo Coach Dickler
1994 Roswell Red Hat Vet
1997 Profiler Det. Spitz Episode: "Blue Highway"
1998 Brooklyn South Gene Donovan Episode: "Dead Man Sleeping"
1998 The Pretender Eugene Clark Episode: "A Stand-Up Guy"
1998 Frasier Uncle Walt Crane Episode: "Beware of Greeks"
1998 Diagnosis: Murder Fire Chief Episode: "Resurrection: Part 1"
1998 The X-Files General Wegman 2 episodes
1999 Strange World Agent Milton Episode: "The Devil Still Holds My Hand"
1999 Just Shoot Me! Alan Drake Episode: "Blackmail Photographer"
1999, 2000 Angel Trevor Lockley 2 episodes
2000 Touched by an Angel Wally Episode: "A Clown's Prayer"
2000 Bull Paul Catteo Episode: "What the Past Will Bring"
2000 JAG Admiral Rockerly Episode: "A Separate Peace: Part 2"
2001 That's Life Leo Episode: "Touched by a Biker"
2001 The Division Barry Constansas Episode: "What Sharp Teeth You Have"
2001 Just Ask My Children Judge Ferguson Television film
2004 Cold Case Colonel Episode: "The Plan"
2005 Zoey 101 Mr. Bradford Episode: "Prank Week"
2005 Star Trek: Enterprise Adm. Gardner (Mirror) Episode: "In a Mirror, Darkly"
2006–2007 Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip George 7 episodes

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Rico, Klaritza (May 18, 2020). "'L.A. Confidential' and 'Zodiac' Actor John Patrick Mahon Dies at 82". Variety. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Barnes, Mike (May 19, 2020). "John Mahon, Character Actor Who Overcame Polio, Dies at 82". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e Evans, Greg (May 20, 2020). "John Mahon Dies: 'The Exorcist', 'L.A. Confidential' Actor Was 82". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Mahon in Role". The Times-Tribune. Scranton, Pennsylvania. February 21, 1995. p. 7. Retrieved December 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon
  5. ^ a b c d "From Paralysis to Hollywood: John Mahon '60". Scranton Journal. 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  6. ^ Michallon, Clémence (May 20, 2020). "John Mahon death: The Exorcist and LA Confidential actor dies aged 82". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-06-13. Retrieved December 17, 2021.

External links[edit]

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