John Bindon

Born: 1943-10-04

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.


Placeholder

Barry Lyndon

as Recruiting Soldier
Released: 1975-12-18

An Irish rogue uses his cunning and wit to work his way up the social classes of 18th century...

Movie page

Quadrophenia

as Harry
Released: 1979-09-14

Based on the 1973 rock opera album of the same name by The Who, this is the story of 60s...

Movie page

Inspector Clouseau

as Bull Parker
Released: 1968-07-19

Detective Inspector Jacques Clouseau is borrowed from the Surete on special assignment for...

Movie page

Juggernaut

as Driscoll
Released: 1974-09-25

A terrorist demands a huge ransom in exchange for information on how to disarm the seven bombs...

Movie page

Performance

as Moody
Released: 1970-08-03

In underworld terms, Chas Devlin is a 'performer,' a gangster with a talent for violence and...

Movie page

Get Carter

as Sid Fletcher
Released: 1971-02-03

Jack Carter is a small-time hood working in London. When word reaches him of his brother's...

Movie page

The MacKintosh Man

as Buster
Released: 1973-11-08

A member of British Intelligence assumes a fictitious criminal identity and allows himself to be...

Movie page

Man in the Wilderness

as Coulter
Released: 1971-11-24

In the early 1800s, a group of fur trappers and Indian traders are returning with their goods to...

Movie page

11 Harrowhouse

as Second Guard
Released: 1974-09-26

A small time diamond merchant jumps at the chance to supervise the purchase and cutting of a...

Movie page

Poor Cow

as Tom
Released: 1967-12-05

A young woman lives a life filled with bad choices. At a young age she marries and has a...

Movie page

Every Home Should Have One

as Strongman at Party
Released: 1970-03-05

Teddy works for a large advertising company. Given the seemingly impossible task of selling...

Movie page

No Sex Please: We're British

as Pete
Released: 1973-07-25

A porn-store owner orders some new stuff from his supplier, but the delivery address gets mixed...

Movie page

Dead Cert

as Walter
Released: 1974-05-01

As a surprise, two horse owners decide to ride their animals themselves in a steeplechase. But...

Movie page

Trial by Combat

as 2nd Reagan Brother
Released: 1976-04-01

A group called The Knights Of Avalon are unhappy with the justice system so are taking the law...

Movie page

Her Majesty's Pleasure

as Jumbo
Released: 1973-10-25

They are all 'in' for life so the pleasures are sparse, and strictly of their own making.Their...

Movie page

Jake's End

as Magger
Released: 1982-05-14

' Motors can stall, shooters can jam. But Jake's end of it'll be all right.' Jake's a...

Movie page

Play for Today

as Jumbo
First aired: 1970-10-15

Play for Today is a British television anthology drama series, produced by the BBC and...

TV Show page

Public Eye

as Builder
First aired: 1965-01-23

Public Eye is a British television series that ran from 1965 to 1975. It was produced by ABC...

TV Show page

Department S

as Greer
First aired: 1969-09-09

Department S is a United Kingdom spy-fi adventure series produced by ITC Entertainment. The...

TV Show page

The Gold Robbers

as Terry Lardner
First aired: 1969-06-06

Tough cop Detective Chief Superintendent Cradock is assigned to track down & bring to justice...

TV Show page