JB
Photo of John Bindon

John Bindon

Actor
Born October 4, 1943Died October 10, 1993 (50 years)
John 'Biffo' Bindon was a British actor and bodyguard (most notoriously for Led Zeppelin on their 1977 US tour, which he was subsequently sacked from for violent behaviour) with close links to the London underworld and a celebrated party trick; "I'd hang five half-pint beer glasses on me manhood. Everyone would ask how it's done beforehand so I'd put them out of their misery and thread my old chap through the handles of the glasses". The son of a London cab driver, Bindon was sentenced to Borstal twice in his youth and gained his nickname 'Biffo' from his propensity for starting fights. Spotted by Ken Loach in a London pub, Bindon got his acting break with the 1967 film Poor Cow. Roles in classic British films like Performance, Get Carter and Quadrophenia would follow, with Bindon often typecast as a gangland heavy. In 1968, Bindon met Vicki Hodge, a baronet's daughter turned model and actress, who introduced him to British aristocracy. This led to close and controversial links with Princess Margaret and her holiday hideaway of the Caribbean island resort of Mustique. Bindon and his alleged relationship with Princess Margaret is a major plot element in the 2008 crime film The Bank Job. Also in 1968, Bindon was awarded the Queen's Award for Bravery for diving off Putney Bridge into the River Thames to rescue a drowning man - although some said he had pushed the man in and only rescued him when a policeman appeared. In 1979, Bindon stood trial for the murder of London gangster John Darke. Bindon's successful defence (bolstered by a character witness appearance from actor Bob Hoskins) argued that Darke's death was in self-defence, saying Bindon was in fear of his life as he was being blackmailed about losing drug money and cocaine worth thousands of pounds. Despite being acquitted, Bindon struggled to find work in the entertainment industry as his reputation was now tarnished. He died of an AIDS-related illness in 1993, having spent the later years of his life as a virtual recluse in Belgravia.
Movies & Shows on Plex
  • Quadrophenia
Known For
  • Performance
  • Poor Cow

Filmography

1986
The Collectors (TV Series) · as Surtees's Man
1979
The Racing Game (TV Series) · as Terry Flynn
1979
1978
Hazell (TV Series) · as Jack Horner
1976
A Dirty Knight's Work · as 2nd Reagan Brother
1975
Barry Lyndon · as Recruiting Soldier
1974
11 Harrowhouse · as Second Guard
1974
Juggernaut · as Driscoll
1974
Dead Cert · as Walter
1973
Playhouse (TV Series) · as Magger
1973
The MacKintosh Man · as Buster
1973
Love Thy Neighbour · as White Groom
1973
1971
Man in the Wilderness · as Coulter
1971
Get Carter · as Sid Fletcher
1970
Play for Today (TV Series) · as Jumbo
1970
Performance · as Moody
1970
Every Home Should Have One · as Strongman At Party
1969
Paul Temple (TV Series) · as Mace
1969
Softly Softly Task Force (TV Series) · as Edward Dinsdale
1969
Special Branch (TV Series) · as Harry Beauchamp
1969
The Gold Robbers (TV Series) · as Terry Lardner
1969
Department S (TV Series) · as Greer
1968
Inspector Clouseau · as Bull Parker
1967
Poor Cow · as Tom
1965
Public Eye (TV Series) · as Builder
1964
The Wednesday Play (TV Series) · as Bobby
1963
From Russia with Love · as Airport Passerby
1962
Z Cars (TV Series) · as Buzz Bentley
1955
Dixon of Dock Green (TV Series) · as Fred

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