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John Mitchum
Actor

John Mitchum

6 Sep 1919Born
29 Nov 2001Died
82Age at death
100Credits

Biography

John Newman Mitchum was the September child of a Norwegian mother and an Irish/Blackfoot father whom he never knew, as he was killed in a tragic train yard accident in 1919. His two-years-older brother Robert filled the role as best as he could, while their older sister Annette studied the lively arts and eventually joined a traveling vaudeville team. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the young family moved to Rising Sun, Delaware, where farm life didn't agree with the young boys. Scarce opportunities took them to New York City, where the streets of Hell's kitchen taught the brothers to fight, a skill they developed so well they earned the moniker 'them ornery Mitchum boys'.

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Eventually, when the Great Depression deepened, the family was forced to separate with the intention of meeting up with sister Annette, who had married a sailor and moved to California, changing her name to Julie. The teenage boys set out with little more than clean handkerchiefs to find their way across the country by the only means they could: hitchhiking and riding the rails. Their somewhat aimless journey took them to places they had never been; where their Eastern accents were not welcome, so they quickly learned that accurately mimicking the local dialect would keep them out of trouble--some of the time! While brother Robert fairly quickly discovered his place in Hollywood legend, John sought his destiny on the high seas, professionally boxing, or conducting a choir. When the opportunity for acting came along John found his perfect niche as a character actor, mostly playing heavies since he was an imposing figure of a man. John's roles had him playing alongside a wide range of celebrities, from Humphrey Bogart in "Knock On Any Door" (1949) to Gladys Knight in "Pipe Dreams" (1976), Clint Eastwood of "Dirty Harry" (1971) to John Wayne in "Chisum" (1970), appearing in 58 films overall. It was during production of "Chisum" that John Wayne offered his voice for an anthology of John's poetry that seeks to uplift US culture, "America, Why I Love Her", a recording for which Mitchum was nominated for a Grammy in 1973. John was a consummate storyteller (as was his brother Robert), and with his fascination with US history in particular he was ever-ready to regale anyone with a thoughtful, interesting, and insightful anecdote, especially if a guitar was available. It was the wedding of music and history that brought him to create the recording "Our Land, Our Heritage" with Dan Blocker; big "Hoss" from "Bonanza", in 1964. Mitchum had some recurring roles throughout his television career; such as "Pickalong" from "Riverboat", or "Hoffenmueller" from "F-Troop", over 150 appearances in all during the span of a half-century career. The brothers Mitchum legacy has been well-preserved in his often hilarious autobiography, "Them Ornery Mitchum Boys", published in 1989. The subjects range from brother Robert escaping a Georgia chain-gang to his "poontang" interview; from John surviving an attacking whale on a three-masted schooner to his adventures riding the rails, developing a great love and respect for the people of the United States.

Known for

Filmography

The 80 most recent of 100 credits.

  1. 1994ChristySeries (1 episode)
  2. 1990A Family for JoeFilm: Preacher
  3. 1989HoodwinkedFilm: J.P. Spanner
  4. 1987The Man Who Broke 1,000 ChainsFilm: Atlanta Judge
  5. 1986EscapesFilm: Mr. Olson (Coffee Break)
  6. 1978Where's Willie?Film
  7. 1977TelefonFilm: Harry Bascom
  8. 1976The EnforcerFilm: Frank DiGiorgio
  9. 1976Quincy, M.E.Series (1 episode)
  10. 1976The Outlaw Josey WalesFilm: Al
  11. 1976Crackle of DeathFilm: Janitor
  12. 1975Breakheart PassFilm: Red Beard
  13. 1974Kolchak: The Night StalkerSeries: Janitor (1 episode)
  14. 1974Little House on the PrairieSeries: Sam Benson (1 episode)
  15. 1974The Hanged ManFilm: Eubie Turpin
  16. 1973Magnum ForceFilm: Frank DiGiorgio
  17. 1973High Plains DrifterFilm: Warden
  18. 1973SavageFilm: Motel Manager
  19. 1972The WaltonsSeries: Announcer (1 episode)
  20. 1972Bloody TrailFilm: Hoss
  21. 1971Dirty HarryFilm: De Georgio
  22. 1971ChandlerFilm: Rudy, Bartender
  23. 1971Do Not Fold, Spindle, or MutilateFilm: Mr. Tubbs
  24. 1971One More Train to RobFilm: Guard (uncredited)
  25. 1970BigfootFilm: Elmer Briggs
  26. 1970The Young RebelsSeries (1 episode)
  27. 1970ChisumFilm: Baker
  28. 1969Paint Your WagonFilm: Jacob Woodling
  29. 1968The Mod SquadSeries: Detective at Hospital (uncredited) (1 episode)
  30. 1968Adam-12Series: Tom Horton (1 episode)
  31. 1968Bandolero!Film: Bath House Customer
  32. 1967The Way WestFilm: Little Henry
  33. 1967IronsideSeries: Slim, Photo Lab Foreman (1 episode)
  34. 1967Warning ShotFilm
  35. 1967Mr. TerrificSeries: Harry (1 episode)
  36. 1966El DoradoFilm: Elmer - Jason's Bartender
  37. 1966Pistols 'n' PetticoatsSeries (1 episode)
  38. 1966The PlainsmanFilm: Townsman (uncredited)
  39. 1966BatmanSeries: Rip Snorting, Hot Dog Harrigan (2 episodes)
  40. 1965LaredoSeries (1 episode)
  41. 1965F TroopSeries: Balladeer, Trooper Hoffenmueller (2 episodes)
  42. 1965The Legend of Jesse JamesSeries: Bartender (1 episode)
  43. 1965BrainstormFilm: Guitar-Playing Inmate (uncredited)
  44. 1964My Fair LadyFilm: Ad Lib at Church (uncredited)
  45. 1964The MunstersSeries (1 episode)
  46. 1964BewitchedSeries (2 episodes)
  47. 1963Cattle KingFilm: Tex
  48. 1962The VirginianSeries: Madison, Pooch, Sam the Bartender, Bucky the Bartender (1 episode)
  49. 1962HitlerFilm: Hermann Goering
  50. 1960ThrillerSeries: Policeman (1 episode)
  51. 1960The Clear HorizonSeries: First Officer Mikel (230 episodes)
  52. 1959The UntouchablesSeries: Freddie (1 episode)
  53. 1959The Twilight ZoneSeries: Erbie, Ace (1 episode)
  54. 1959LaramieSeries (1 episode)
  55. 1959RiverboatSeries: Pickalong (44 episodes)
  56. 1959BonanzaSeries: Lou Palmer, Bartender #1 (1 episode)
  57. 1959Battle FlameFilm: Maj. Dowling
  58. 1959The Gunfight at Dodge CityFilm: Rowdy Drunken Cowboy
  59. 1959RawhideSeries: Luke Rose (uncredited) (1 episode)
  60. 1959Guns Girls and GangstersFilm: Armored Car Guard (uncredited)
  61. 1958Johnny RoccoFilm: Police Detective at Stakeout (uncredited)
  62. 1958BroncoSeries (1 episode)
  63. 1958The Bonnie Parker StoryFilm: John - Saloon Owner / Bartender (uncredited)
  64. 1958Cole Younger, GunfighterFilm: Rand City Bartender
  65. 1957Up In SmokeFilm: Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
  66. 1957The Tall StrangerFilm
  67. 1957Ride Out for RevengeFilm: Sergeant (uncredited)
  68. 1957TrackdownSeries (1 episode)
  69. 1957SuspicionSeries (1 episode)
  70. 1957MaverickSeries (1 episode)
  71. 1957Perry MasonSeries: Operative, Operator (1 episode)
  72. 1957The Thin ManSeries (1 episode)
  73. 1957M SquadSeries: First Mate (1 episode)
  74. 1957Death in Small DosesFilm: Handler (uncredited)
  75. 1957Have Gun, Will TravelSeries: McHeath, Sanders - Gold Robber (2 episodes)
  76. 1957Operation Mad BallFilm: Enlisted Man (uncredited)
  77. 1957Richard Diamond, Private DetectiveSeries: Jimmy Logan (uncredited) (1 episode)
  78. 1957Panic!Series (1 episode)
  79. 19565 Steps to DangerFilm: Bud--Deputy Sheriff
  80. 1956The Man Is ArmedFilm: Officer

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.