John Mitchum
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- Sep 6, 1919
- Died
- Nov 29, 2001 (aged 82)
- Place of birth
- Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA
- Credits
- 102
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'. 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
Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast
2019Movie
Self - Brother (archive footage)
Christy
1994TV
Robert Mitchum: The Reluctant Star
1991Movie
Self
A Family for Joe
1990Movie
Preacher
Hoodwinked
1989Movie
J.P. Spanner
The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains
1987Movie
Atlanta Judge
Escapes
1986Movie
Mr. Olson (Coffee Break)
Where's Willie?
1978Movie
Telefon
1977Movie
Harry Bascom
The Enforcer
1976Movie
Frank DiGiorgio
Quincy, M.E.
1976TV
The Outlaw Josey Wales
1976Movie
Al
Crackle of Death
1976Movie
Janitor
Breakheart Pass
1975Movie
Red Beard
Kolchak: The Night Stalker
1974TV
Janitor
Little House on the Prairie
1974TV
Sam Benson
The Hanged Man
1974Movie
Eubie Turpin
Magnum Force
1973Movie
Frank DiGiorgio
High Plains Drifter
1973Movie
Warden
Savage!
1973Movie
Motel Manager
The Waltons
1972TV
Announcer
Bloody Trail
1972Movie
Hoss
Dirty Harry
1971Movie
De Georgio
Chandler
1971Movie
Rudy, Bartender
Do Not Fold, Spindle, or Mutilate
1971Movie
Mr. Tubbs
One More Train to Rob
1971Movie
Guard (uncredited)
Bigfoot
1970Movie
Elmer Briggs
The Young Rebels
1970TV
Chisum
1970Movie
Baker
Paint Your Wagon
1969Movie
Jacob Woodling
The Mod Squad
1968TV
Detective at Hospital (uncredited)
Adam-12
1968TV
Tom Horton
Bandolero!
1968Movie
Bath House Customer
The Way West
1967Movie
Little Henry
Ironside
1967TV
Slim, Photo Lab Foreman
Warning Shot
1967Movie
Mr. Terrific
1967TV
Harry
El Dorado
1966Movie
Elmer - Jason's Bartender
Pistols 'n' Petticoats
1966TV
The Plainsman
1966Movie
Townsman (uncredited)
Batman
1966TV
Rip Snorting, Hot Dog Harrigan
Laredo
1965TV
F Troop
1965TV
Balladeer, Trooper Hoffenmueller
The Legend of Jesse James
1965TV
Bartender
Brainstorm
1965Movie
Guitar-Playing Inmate (uncredited)
My Fair Lady
1964Movie
Ad Lib at Church (uncredited)
The Munsters
1964TV
Bewitched
1964TV
Cattle King
1963Movie
Tex
The Virginian
1962TV
Madison, Pooch, Bartender, Sam the Bartender, Bucky the Bartender
Hitler
1962Movie
Hermann Goering
Thriller
1960TV
Policeman
The Clear Horizon
1960TV
First Officer Mikel
The Untouchables
1959TV
Freddie
The Twilight Zone
1959TV
Erbie, Ace
Laramie
1959TV
Riverboat
1959TV
Pickalong
Bonanza
1959TV
Lou Palmer, Bartender #1, Bartender
Battle Flame
1959Movie
Maj. Dowling
The Gunfight at Dodge City
1959Movie
Rowdy Drunken Cowboy
Rawhide
1959TV
Luke Rose (uncredited)
Guns Girls and Gangsters
1959Movie
Armored Car Guard (uncredited)
Johnny Rocco
1958Movie
Police Detective at Stakeout (uncredited)
Bronco
1958TV
The Bonnie Parker Story
1958Movie
John - Saloon Owner / Bartender (uncredited)
Cole Younger, Gunfighter
1958Movie
Rand City Bartender
Up In Smoke
1957Movie
Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
The Tall Stranger
1957Movie
Ride Out for Revenge
1957Movie
Sergeant (uncredited)
Trackdown
1957TV
Suspicion
1957TV
Maverick
1957TV
Perry Mason
1957TV
Operative, Operator
The Thin Man
1957TV
M Squad
1957TV
First Mate
Death in Small Doses
1957Movie
Handler (uncredited)
Have Gun, Will Travel
1957TV
McHeath, Sanders - Gold Robber
Operation Mad Ball
1957Movie
Enlisted Man (uncredited)
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
1957TV
Jimmy Logan (uncredited)
Panic!
1957TV
5 Steps to Danger
1956Movie
Bud--Deputy Sheriff
The Man Is Armed
1956Movie
Officer
State Trooper
1956TV
Sheriff Tom Newell
Nightmare
1956Movie
Onlooker at Stan's Suicide Attempt (Uncredited)
Perils of the Wilderness
1956Movie
Brent
Screen Director's Playhouse
1955TV
Sandhogger #4
Sergeant Preston of the Yukon
1955TV
Gunsmoke
1955TV
Joe, Bob, Norm, Wills
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
1955TV
Studio 57
1954TV
I Led Three Lives
1953TV
The Lusty Men
1952Movie
The Pace That Thrills
1952Movie
Blackie Myers
Dragnet
1951TV
Submarine Command
1951Movie
Flying Leathernecks
1951Movie
Lt. Black (uncredited)
Born to Be Bad
1950Movie
Guest (uncredited)
In a Lonely Place
1950Movie
Bar Patron (uncredited)
The Devil's Sleep
1949Movie
Doctor
Knock on Any Door
1949Movie
Jury Member (uncredited)
Shed No Tears
1948Movie
Policeman (Uncredited)
The Prairie
1947Movie
Asa Bush