Cirrus@Austlit

Film and theatre producer.

One of Australia's more prominent producers of the 1980s and 1990s, Ben Gannon studied production at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (Sydney). His first major industrry position after graduating in 1970 was with the Queensland Theatre Company, and he later stage-managed the original Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar for Harry M. Miller (q.v.). Gannon moved to the United Kingdom in the mid-1970s, remaining there for some eight years. Based in London he was engaged as company manager for the West End production of Hair and worked as a theatrical agent for the American company, ICM. He later formed his own before forming his own agency, representing actors, writers, directors and designers.

Gannon returned to Australia in 1980 and was appointed General Manager of Associated R and R Films, the Robert Stigwood/Rupert Murdoch joint venture which produced the acclaimed film Gallipoli (q.v.), for which Gannon was engaged as Associate Producer. In 1984 he formed his own production company, View Films, which soon afterwards produced the mini-series Shout! The Story of Johnny O'Keefe. Other Gannon-produced films and TV series include and Shadow of the Cobra (TV series), Travelling North, Sweet Talker, The Girl Who Came Late (aka Daydream Believer), Hammers Over the Anvil, The Man Who Sued God, Wildside (TV series) and The Heartbreak Kid. The latter film became the basis of a TV series, going on to become one of Australia's most successful television exports, being sold to more than 80 countries (qq.v).

Gannon's other career achievements include producing the ABC documentary Peter Allen: The Boy From Oz, and in 1998 he co-produced with London producer, Robert Fox, Australia's highest-grossing theatre production The Boy from Oz (q.v.). The musical was later produced on Broadway, receiving a 2004 Tony Award nomination for Best Musical.

Ben Gannon was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2006 for his services to the performing arts. He died in January 2007, aged 54, following a long battle with cancer.