Jack Bannon

Jack Bannon was an actor best known for his role as assistant city editor Art Donovan on Lou Grant, a role he played for the duration of the series, from 1977 to 1982.

Bannon also appeared on the series Days of Our Lives, Green Acres, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Andy Griffith Show, Trauma Center, The Beverly Hillbillies, Lassie, Mannix, Kojak, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Rockford Files, Charlie’s Angels, The Love Boat, Knots Landing, Remington Steele, Newhart, Falcon Crest, Matlock, St. Elsewhere, Moonlighting, Designing Women, Cagney & Lacey, Santa Barbara, Dynasty, Charles in Charge, Night Court, MacGyver, The Golden Girls and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.

Additionally, Bannon appeared in the films Little Big Man, Death Warrant, Whatever Happened to Aunt Alice? and Da Vinci’s War.

A year out of college, Bannon was hired as a dialogue coach on Petticoat Junction and played several characters on the rural sitcom as well.

Bannon's parents were also actors. His mother, Bea Benaderet, received two Emmy nominations for her work on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, and his father, Jim Bannon, played the cowboy Red Ryder in four 1940s movies.

Bannon was married to Ellen Travolta, the older sister of John Travolta.

He died October 25, 2017, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He was 77.