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.
2019
as Self - Brother (archive footage)
1994
1991
as Self
1989
as J.P. Spanner
1987
as Atlanta Judge
1986
as Mr. Olson (Coffee Break)
1978
1977
as Harry Bascom
1976
as Frank DiGiorgio
1976
1976
as Al
1976
1975
as Red Beard
1974
as Janitor
1974
1974
as Eubie Turpin
1973
as Frank DiGiorgio
1973
as Warden
1973
as Motel Manager
1972
as Announcer
1972
as Hoss
1971
as De Georgio
1971
as Rudy, Bartender
1971
as Mr. Tubbs
1971
as Guard (uncredited)
1970
as Elmer Briggs
1970
1970
as Baker
1969
as Jacob Woodling
1968
as Detective at Hospital (uncredited)
1968
as Tom Horton
1968
as Bath House Customer
1967
as Little Henry
1967
as Slim
1967
as Photo Lab Foreman
1967
1967
as Harry
1966
as Elmer - Jason's Bartender
1966
1966
as Rip Snorting
1966
as Hot Dog Harrigan
1965
1965
1965
as Balladeer
1965
as Bartender
1965
as Guitar-Playing Inmate (uncredited)
1964
as Ad Lib at Church (uncredited)
1964
1964
1963
as Tex
1962
as Madison
1962
as Pooch
1962
as Sam the Bartender
1962
as Bartender
1962
as Bucky the Bartender
1962
as Hermann Goering
1960
as Policeman
1960
1959
as Erbie
1959
as Ace
1959
1959
as Pickalong
1959
as Lou Palmer
1959
as Bartender #1
1959
as Maj. Dowling
1959
as Rowdy Drunken Cowboy
1959
as Luke Rose (uncredited)
1959
as Armored Car Guard (uncredited)
1958
as Police Detective at Stakeout (uncredited)
1958
1958
as John - Saloon Owner / Bartender (uncredited)
1958
as Rand City Bartender
1957
as Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
1957
1957
as Sergeant (uncredited)
1957
1957
1957
1957
as Operative
1957
as Operator
1957
1957
as First Mate
1957
1957
1957
as McHeath
1957
as Enlisted Man (uncredited)
1957
as Jimmy Logan (uncredited)
1957
1956
as Bud--Deputy Sheriff
1956
as Officer
1956
1956
as Sheriff Tom Newell
1956
as Onlooker at Stan's Suicide Attempt (Uncredited)
1956
as Brent
1955
as Sandhogger #4
1955
1955
as Joe
1955
as Bob
1955
as Norm
1955
as Wills
1955
1954
1953
1952
1952
as Blackie Myers
1951
1951
1951
1950
as Guest (Uncredited)
1950
as Bar Patron (uncredited)
1949
as Doctor
1949
as Jury Member (uncredited)
1948
as Policeman (Uncredited)
1947
as Asa Bush