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'''Bernard Gannon''' ] (23 September 1952 – 4 January 2007) was an Australian film, television and ]. '''Bernard Norman Gannon''' {{post-nominals| country=AUS|AO}} (23 September 1952 – 4 January 2007), known as '''Ben Gannon''', was an Australian film, ] and ].


==Early life and education==
⚫ After schooling at Melbourne's ], Gannon graduated from the then Production course of the ] in 1970. He then worked at the ] before stage-managing the original Australian production of ] for ] Attractions. This was followed by eight years in London where Gannon was Company Manager of ] in the ], and worked as a ] at the American Talent Agency, ICM, before forming his own Talent Agency, representing actors, writers, directors, and designers.
Born Bernard Norman Gannon in ] in Victoria's ], his father was a land surveyor and farmer.<ref name=smh2007/>


After schooling at Melbourne's ] Lanbury House, Gannon graduated from the then production course of the ] in ]<ref name=smh2007/> in 1970.
⚫ Gannon returned to Australia in 1980 and was appointed General Manager of Associated R & R Films, the ]/] joint venture which produced the acclaimed film '']'', of which he was Associate Producer. After forming his own production company, View Films, he produced two mini-series '']'' (starring ]) and '']'' (starring ] and ]). He produced the award-winning films '']'' (starring ]), '']'' (starring ] and ]), '']'' – also known as ''Daydream Believer'' – (starring ] and ]), '']'' (starring ] and ]), and '']'' (starring ] and ]).


He was known as Ben.<ref name=smh2007/>
⚫ His film '']'', based on the play by Richard Barrett, was the catalyst for his award-winning television series '']''. This proved to be one of Australia's most successful television exports ever, being sold to 80 countries, and eventually running to 210 hours. .


==Career==
Believing that there was a stage musical in the life and compositions of the Australian songwriter/performer ], he commissioned a book,''Peter Allen: The Boy From Oz'', and then produced a documentary of the same name for ]. In 1998 he co-produced with London producer, ], Australia's highest-grossing theatre production '']'' – with book by ], and directed by ] – which was successfully presented on Broadway, receiving a 2004 ] nomination for Best Musical, and winning the Tony for Best Male Performer in a Musical for its star, ]. A hugely successful arena version, starring Jackman, later toured Australia.
⚫ After graduation, Gannon worked at the ], before stage-managing the original Australian production of '']'' for ] Attractions. This was followed by eight years in London, where Gannon was company manager of ] in the ], and worked as a ] at the American talent sgency, ICM, before forming his own talent agency, representing actors, writers, directors, and designers.<ref name=smh2007/>


Gannon returned to Australia in 1980 and was appointed general manager of ], the ]/] joint venture which produced the acclaimed film '']'', of which he was associate producer.<ref>{{cite web | last=Simmonds | first=Diana | title=Obituary: Ben Gannon | website=Stage Noise | date=21 April 2022 | url=http://www.stagenoise.com/news/2007/obituary-ben-gannon | access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref> After forming his own production company, View Films, he produced two mini-series '']'' (starring ]) and '']'' (starring ] and ]).<ref name=smh2007/>
⚫ He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2006{{cite web|url=http://www.gg.gov.au/res/File/PDFs/honours/qb06/Media%20Notes%20AO.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2013-08-18 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807175432/http://www.gg.gov.au/res/File/PDFs/honours/qb06/Media%20Notes%20AO.pdf |archivedate=7 August 2007 |df=dmy }} , 'For service to the performing arts as a producer contributing to the development of film, television, and theatre in Australia, and in promoting Australian productions and talented actors overseas, and to the community'.


⚫ He produced the award-winning films '']'' (starring ]), '']'' (starring ] and ]), '']'' – also known as ''The Girl Who Came Late'' (starring ] and ]), '']'' (starring ] and ]), and '']'' (starring ] and ]).<ref name=friends/>
He died in January 2007, aged 54, following a long battle with cancer.


⚫ His film '']'', based on the play by Richard Barrett, was the catalyst for his award-winning television series '']''. This proved to be one of Australia's most successful television exports ever, being sold to 80 countries, and eventually running to 210 hours.<ref name=friends>{{cite web | title= Ben Gannon| website =Friends of NIDA in America Foundation | url=http://www.friendsofnida.org/bio-Ben-Gannon.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040810131848/http://www.friendsofnida.org/bio-Ben-Gannon.htm | archive-date=10 August 2004 | url-status=dead | access-date=20 January 2022}}</ref>
⚫ == External links ==

Believing that there was a stage musical in the life and compositions of the Australian songwriter/performer ] after being alerted to him by ], he commissioned a book to be written by ], based on MacLean's earlier biography. Enright's version was published as ''Peter Allen: The Boy From Oz''. He first produced a documentary of the same name for ], which aired in 1995.<ref name=bfo2016>{{cite book| url=https://www.stagewhispers.com.au/sites/default/files/Extract%20of%20The%20Boy%20From%20Oz.pdf| title= The Boy from Oz| publisher = DSPress| date=2006 | format= Script of the musical. |others=Music and lyrics by ] & others; Book by ]; Original production by Ben Gannon and ]; Original direction by ].}} <!---ISBN appears to be invalid.---></ref>

In 1998 Gannon co-produced with London producer ], Australia's highest-grossing theatre production '']'',<ref name=abcobit>{{cite web| url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200701/s1821619.htm| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070113131044/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200701/s1821619.htm| archive-date=13 January 2007| title=Boy From Oz producer dies| website= ABC News| publisher= ]| date=4 January 2007}}</ref> based on Enright's book and directed by ] – which was successfully presented on Broadway, receiving a 2004 ] nomination for Best Musical, and winning the Tony for Best Male Performer in a Musical for its star, ].<ref name=bfo2016/>

==Honours==
⚫ Gannon was appointed an Officer of the ] (AO) in 2006 "For service to the performing arts as a producer contributing to the development of film, television, and theatre in Australia, and in promoting Australian productions and talented actors overseas, and to the community".<ref name=smh2007/>

==Death==
He died of cancer, at home in Sydney on 4 January 2007, aged 54.<ref name=smh2007>{{cite web | title=Canny instinct for a good story | website=]| first=Bryce |last=Hallett | date=10 January 2007 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/canny-instinct-for-a-good-story-20070110-gdp7iq.html | access-date=20 January 2022}}</ref> He had been treated for cancer in 2003.<ref name=abcobit/>

==Filmography==

===Film===
{|class="wikitable"
! Year
! Title
! Credit
! Type
|-
| 1981 || '']'' || Associate producer || Feature film
|-
| 1987 || '']'' || Producer || Feature film
|-
| 1991 || '']'' || Producer || Feature film
|-
| 1992 || '']'' (aka ''The Girl Who Came Late'') || Producer || Feature film
|-
| 1993 || '']'' || Producer || Feature film
|-
| 1993 || '']'' || Producer || Feature film
|-
| 2001 || '']'' || Co-producer || Feature film
|}
<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0304449/ |title=IMDB |access-date=12 October 2020 }}</ref>

===Television===
{|class="wikitable"
! Year
! Title
! Credit
! Type
|-
| 1989 || '']'' || Producer || TV miniseries, 2 episodes
|-
| 1986 || '']'' || Producer || TV miniseries, 2 episodes
|-
| 1994–96 || '']'' || Creator / Executive producer / producer || TV series, 178 episodes
|-
| 1994–96 || '']'' || Writer || TV series, 15 episodes
|-
| 1995 || ''Peter Allen: The Boy from Oz'' || Co-producer || TV documentary film
|-
| 1996 || '']'' || Producer || TV series, 1 episode
|-
| 1997–99 || '']'' || Creator / Executive producer || TV series, 40 episodes
|-
| 2001 || '']'' || Executive producer / producer || TV miniseries
|}

==Theatre==
{|class="wikitable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Venue / Co.
|-
| || '']'' || Stage manager || ] Attractions
|-
| || ''] || Company manager || ], London
|-
| 1998 || '']'' || Co-producer || Australian tour & ]
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

⚫ ==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0304449|Ben Gannon}} * {{IMDb name|0304449|Ben Gannon}}
*
*


{{Authority control}} {{Authority control}}

Latest revision as of 14:33, 4 May 2024

Bernard Norman Gannon AO (23 September 1952 – 4 January 2007), known as Ben Gannon, was an Australian film, television and stage producer.

Early life and education

Born Bernard Norman Gannon in Maffra in Victoria's Gippsland, his father was a land surveyor and farmer.

After schooling at Melbourne's Xavier College Lanbury House, Gannon graduated from the then production course of the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney in 1970.

He was known as Ben.

Career

After graduation, Gannon worked at the Queensland Theatre Company, before stage-managing the original Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar for Harry M. Miller Attractions. This was followed by eight years in London, where Gannon was company manager of Hair in the West End, and worked as a theatrical agent at the American talent sgency, ICM, before forming his own talent agency, representing actors, writers, directors, and designers.

Gannon returned to Australia in 1980 and was appointed general manager of Associated R & R Films, the Robert Stigwood/Rupert Murdoch joint venture which produced the acclaimed film Gallipoli, of which he was associate producer. After forming his own production company, View Films, he produced two mini-series Shout! The Story of Johnny O'Keefe (starring Terry Serio) and Shadow of the Cobra (starring Rachel Ward and Art Malik).

He produced the award-winning films Travelling North (starring Leo McKern), Sweet Talker (starring Bryan Brown and Karen Allen), Daydream Believer – also known as The Girl Who Came Late (starring Miranda Otto and Martin Kemp), Hammers Over the Anvil (starring Charlotte Rampling and Russell Crowe), and The Man Who Sued God (starring Billy Connolly and Judy Davis).

His film The Heartbreak Kid, based on the play by Richard Barrett, was the catalyst for his award-winning television series Heartbreak High. This proved to be one of Australia's most successful television exports ever, being sold to 80 countries, and eventually running to 210 hours.

Believing that there was a stage musical in the life and compositions of the Australian songwriter/performer Peter Allen after being alerted to him by Stephen MacLean, he commissioned a book to be written by Nick Enright, based on MacLean's earlier biography. Enright's version was published as Peter Allen: The Boy From Oz. He first produced a documentary of the same name for ABC Television, which aired in 1995.

In 1998 Gannon co-produced with London producer Robert Fox, Australia's highest-grossing theatre production The Boy from Oz, based on Enright's book and directed by Gale Edwards – which was successfully presented on Broadway, receiving a 2004 Tony Award nomination for Best Musical, and winning the Tony for Best Male Performer in a Musical for its star, Hugh Jackman.

Honours

Gannon was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2006 "For service to the performing arts as a producer contributing to the development of film, television, and theatre in Australia, and in promoting Australian productions and talented actors overseas, and to the community".

Death

He died of cancer, at home in Sydney on 4 January 2007, aged 54. He had been treated for cancer in 2003.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Credit Type
1981 Gallipoli Associate producer Feature film
1987 Travelling North Producer Feature film
1991 Sweet Talker Producer Feature film
1992 Daydream Believer (aka The Girl Who Came Late) Producer Feature film
1993 Hammers over the Anvil Producer Feature film
1993 The Heartbreak Kid Producer Feature film
2001 The Man Who Sued God Co-producer Feature film

Television

Year Title Credit Type
1989 Shadow of the Cobra Producer TV miniseries, 2 episodes
1986 Shout! The Story of Johnny O'Keefe Producer TV miniseries, 2 episodes
1994–96 Heartbreak High Creator / Executive producer / producer TV series, 178 episodes
1994–96 Heartbreak High Writer TV series, 15 episodes
1995 Peter Allen: The Boy from Oz Co-producer TV documentary film
1996 The South Bank Show Producer TV series, 1 episode
1997–99 Wildside Creator / Executive producer TV series, 40 episodes
2001 Head Start Executive producer / producer TV miniseries

Theatre

Year Title Role Venue / Co.
Jesus Christ Superstar Stage manager Harry M. Miller Attractions
Hair Company manager West End, London
1998 The Boy from Oz Co-producer Australian tour & Broadway

References

  1. ^ Hallett, Bryce (10 January 2007). "Canny instinct for a good story". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  2. Simmonds, Diana (21 April 2022). "Obituary: Ben Gannon". Stage Noise. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Ben Gannon". Friends of NIDA in America Foundation. Archived from the original on 10 August 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  4. ^ The Boy from Oz (Script of the musical.). Music and lyrics by Peter Allen & others; Book by Nick Enright; Original production by Ben Gannon and Robert Fox; Original direction by Gale Edwards. DSPress. 2006.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  5. ^ "Boy From Oz producer dies". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 4 January 2007. Archived from the original on 13 January 2007.
  6. "IMDB". Retrieved 12 October 2020.

External links

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