Lori Shannon, born Don Seymour McLean, (May 18, 1938 – February 11, 1984) was an openly gay female impersonator who was long associated with the drag revues at the famous Finocchio's nightclub in San Francisco. "Archie Bunker's Favorite Female Impersonator."
With aspirations for an acting career, and a degree in Speech & Drama from the University of Iowa, Lori headed for New York City to study acting at the Circle-in-the-Square. He spent seven years in New York, appearing in theater productions both On and Off Broadway. It was during this period that Lori was signed to dance in the famous Latin Quarter, which led to two more years of stints at a variety of New York clubs, where he received his first exposure to the world of female impersonation.
When the lure of San Francisco beckoned, Lori headed to the coast, and in 1975, joined the cast of Impersonators at Finocchio's. His quick wit and inimitable style made him an audience favorite.
"It takes a man to wear these clothes," claimed Lori, who described himself as simply, "a stand-up comedian in a dress." That description was exactly what Norman Lear's casting director was looking for when she signed Shannon "All in The Family," for which Lori created and played the role of Beverly LaSalle for three seasons. The made him "Archie Bunker's Favorite Female Impersonator." The episodes in which he appears are "Archie the Hero" (1975), "Beverly Rides Again" (1976), and "Edith's Crisis of Faith, Part 1" (1977).
Other television credits include the George Schlatter comedy special "Just for Laughs," the film "Save the Last Dance for Me," and an ABC Movie-of-the-Week "For the Love of It," in which Lori appeared as a matronly lady witness and was never revealed to be a man... a television first.
Twice nominated by the San Francisco Entertainment Council as "Outstanding Comedy Performer of the Year," it is apparent that Lori Shannon's unique talent is recognized by critics, producers, and audiences alike. He also wrote an entertainment column for the Bay Area Reporter. His stage persona was notable for his size (6'6"), raspy basso voice, and sarcastic humor.
He died of a heart attack at Mission Emergency Hospital age of 45 on February 11, 1984.
With aspirations for an acting career, and a degree in Speech & Drama from the University of Iowa, Lori headed for New York City to study acting at the Circle-in-the-Square. He spent seven years in New York, appearing in theater productions both On and Off Broadway. It was during this period that Lori was signed to dance in the famous Latin Quarter, which led to two more years of stints at a variety of New York clubs, where he received his first exposure to the world of female impersonation.
When the lure of San Francisco beckoned, Lori headed to the coast, and in 1975, joined the cast of Impersonators at Finocchio's. His quick wit and inimitable style made him an audience favorite.
"It takes a man to wear these clothes," claimed Lori, who described himself as simply, "a stand-up comedian in a dress." That description was exactly what Norman Lear's casting director was looking for when she signed Shannon "All in The Family," for which Lori created and played the role of Beverly LaSalle for three seasons. The made him "Archie Bunker's Favorite Female Impersonator." The episodes in which he appears are "Archie the Hero" (1975), "Beverly Rides Again" (1976), and "Edith's Crisis of Faith, Part 1" (1977).
Other television credits include the George Schlatter comedy special "Just for Laughs," the film "Save the Last Dance for Me," and an ABC Movie-of-the-Week "For the Love of It," in which Lori appeared as a matronly lady witness and was never revealed to be a man... a television first.
Twice nominated by the San Francisco Entertainment Council as "Outstanding Comedy Performer of the Year," it is apparent that Lori Shannon's unique talent is recognized by critics, producers, and audiences alike. He also wrote an entertainment column for the Bay Area Reporter. His stage persona was notable for his size (6'6"), raspy basso voice, and sarcastic humor.
He died of a heart attack at Mission Emergency Hospital age of 45 on February 11, 1984.
Lori Shannon, born Don Seymour McLean, (May 18, 1938 – February 11, 1984) was an openly gay female impersonator who was long associated with the drag revues at the famous Finocchio's nightclub in San Francisco. "Archie Bunker's Favorite Female Impersonator."
With aspirations for an acting career, and a degree in Speech & Drama from the University of Iowa, Lori headed for New York City to study acting at the Circle-in-the-Square. He spent seven years in New York, appearing in theater productions both On and Off Broadway. It was during this period that Lori was signed to dance in the famous Latin Quarter, which led to two more years of stints at a variety of New York clubs, where he received his first exposure to the world of female impersonation.
When the lure of San Francisco beckoned, Lori headed to the coast, and in 1975, joined the cast of Impersonators at Finocchio's. His quick wit and inimitable style made him an audience favorite.
"It takes a man to wear these clothes," claimed Lori, who described himself as simply, "a stand-up comedian in a dress." That description was exactly what Norman Lear's casting director was looking for when she signed Shannon "All in The Family," for which Lori created and played the role of Beverly LaSalle for three seasons. The made him "Archie Bunker's Favorite Female Impersonator." The episodes in which he appears are "Archie the Hero" (1975), "Beverly Rides Again" (1976), and "Edith's Crisis of Faith, Part 1" (1977).
Other television credits include the George Schlatter comedy special "Just for Laughs," the film "Save the Last Dance for Me," and an ABC Movie-of-the-Week "For the Love of It," in which Lori appeared as a matronly lady witness and was never revealed to be a man... a television first.
Twice nominated by the San Francisco Entertainment Council as "Outstanding Comedy Performer of the Year," it is apparent that Lori Shannon's unique talent is recognized by critics, producers, and audiences alike. He also wrote an entertainment column for the Bay Area Reporter. His stage persona was notable for his size (6'6"), raspy basso voice, and sarcastic humor.
He died of a heart attack at Mission Emergency Hospital age of 45 on February 11, 1984.
With aspirations for an acting career, and a degree in Speech & Drama from the University of Iowa, Lori headed for New York City to study acting at the Circle-in-the-Square. He spent seven years in New York, appearing in theater productions both On and Off Broadway. It was during this period that Lori was signed to dance in the famous Latin Quarter, which led to two more years of stints at a variety of New York clubs, where he received his first exposure to the world of female impersonation.
When the lure of San Francisco beckoned, Lori headed to the coast, and in 1975, joined the cast of Impersonators at Finocchio's. His quick wit and inimitable style made him an audience favorite.
"It takes a man to wear these clothes," claimed Lori, who described himself as simply, "a stand-up comedian in a dress." That description was exactly what Norman Lear's casting director was looking for when she signed Shannon "All in The Family," for which Lori created and played the role of Beverly LaSalle for three seasons. The made him "Archie Bunker's Favorite Female Impersonator." The episodes in which he appears are "Archie the Hero" (1975), "Beverly Rides Again" (1976), and "Edith's Crisis of Faith, Part 1" (1977).
Other television credits include the George Schlatter comedy special "Just for Laughs," the film "Save the Last Dance for Me," and an ABC Movie-of-the-Week "For the Love of It," in which Lori appeared as a matronly lady witness and was never revealed to be a man... a television first.
Twice nominated by the San Francisco Entertainment Council as "Outstanding Comedy Performer of the Year," it is apparent that Lori Shannon's unique talent is recognized by critics, producers, and audiences alike. He also wrote an entertainment column for the Bay Area Reporter. His stage persona was notable for his size (6'6"), raspy basso voice, and sarcastic humor.
He died of a heart attack at Mission Emergency Hospital age of 45 on February 11, 1984.
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