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.
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.
External links
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/nm0593850
Wikipedia: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q474746
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Filmography (Movies)
Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast
Character:Self - Brother (archive footage)
Release Date:27/02/2019
Robert Mitchum: The Reluctant Star
Character:Self
Release Date:10/03/1991
Hoodwinked
Character:J.P. Spanner
Release Date:15/11/1989
The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains
Character:Atlanta Judge
Release Date:31/10/1987
Escapes
Character:Mr. Olson (Coffee Break)
Release Date:10/06/1986
Where's Willie?
Character:
Release Date:12/04/1978
Telefon
Character:Harry Bascom
Release Date:16/12/1977
The Enforcer
Character:Frank DiGiorgio
Release Date:16/12/1976
The Outlaw Josey Wales
Character:Al
Release Date:30/06/1976
Crackle of Death
Character:Janitor
Release Date:28/03/1976
Breakheart Pass
Character:Red Beard
Release Date:09/12/1975
The Hanged Man
Character:Eubie Turpin
Release Date:13/03/1974
Magnum Force
Character:Frank DiGiorgio
Release Date:13/12/1973
High Plains Drifter
Character:Warden
Release Date:19/04/1973
Savage
Character:Motel Manager
Release Date:31/03/1973
Bloody Trail
Character:Hoss
Release Date:01/01/1972
Dirty Harry
Character:De Georgio
Release Date:23/12/1971
Chandler
Character:Rudy, Bartender
Release Date:01/12/1971
Do Not Fold, Spindle, or Mutilate
Character:Mr. Tubbs
Release Date:09/11/1971
One More Train to Rob
Character:Guard (uncredited)
Release Date:19/02/1971
Bigfoot
Character:Elmer Briggs
Release Date:21/10/1970
Chisum
Character:Baker
Release Date:23/07/1970
Paint Your Wagon
Character:Jacob Woodling
Release Date:15/10/1969
Bandolero!
Character:Bath House Customer
Release Date:01/06/1968
The Way West
Character:Little Henry
Release Date:24/05/1967
Warning Shot
Character:
Release Date:18/01/1967
El Dorado
Character:Elmer - Jason's Bartender
Release Date:17/12/1966
The Plainsman
Character:Townsman (uncredited)
Release Date:01/08/1966
Brainstorm
Character:Guitar-Playing Inmate (uncredited)
Release Date:05/05/1965
My Fair Lady
Character:Ad Lib at Church (uncredited)
Release Date:01/12/1964
Cattle King
Character:Tex
Release Date:08/07/1963
Hitler
Character:Hermann Goering
Release Date:21/03/1962
Battle Flame
Character:Maj. Dowling
Release Date:26/07/1959
The Gunfight at Dodge City
Character:Rowdy Drunken Cowboy
Release Date:01/05/1959
Guns, Girls and Gangsters
Character:Armored Car Guard (uncredited)
Release Date:01/01/1959
Johnny Rocco
Character:Police Detective at Stakeout (uncredited)
Release Date:21/12/1958
The Bonnie Parker Story
Character:John - Saloon Owner / Bartender (uncredited)
Release Date:28/05/1958
Cole Younger, Gunfighter
Character:Rand City Bartender
Release Date:30/03/1958
Up In Smoke
Character:Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
Release Date:22/12/1957
The Tall Stranger
Character:
Release Date:17/11/1957
Ride Out for Revenge
Character:Sergeant (uncredited)
Release Date:31/10/1957
Death in Small Doses
Character:Handler (uncredited)
Release Date:15/09/1957
Operation Mad Ball
Character:Enlisted Man (uncredited)
Release Date:17/08/1957
5 Steps to Danger
Character:Bud--Deputy Sheriff
Release Date:05/11/1956
The Man Is Armed
Character:Officer
Release Date:19/10/1956
Nightmare
Character:Onlooker at Stan's Suicide Attempt (Uncredited)
Release Date:20/08/1956
Perils of the Wilderness
Character:Brent
Release Date:06/01/1956
The Lusty Men
Character:
Release Date:24/10/1952
The Pace That Thrills
Character:Blackie Myers
Release Date:01/03/1952
Submarine Command
Character:
Release Date:01/11/1951
Flying Leathernecks
Character:
Release Date:28/08/1951
Born to Be Bad
Character:Guest (Uncredited)
Release Date:28/09/1950
In a Lonely Place
Character:Bar Patron (uncredited)
Release Date:17/05/1950
The Devil's Sleep
Character:Doctor
Release Date:18/05/1949
Knock on Any Door
Character:Jury Member (uncredited)
Release Date:22/02/1949
Shed No Tears
Character:Policeman (Uncredited)
Release Date:09/06/1948
The Prairie
Character:Asa Bush
Release Date:27/11/1947
Television Appearances
Christy
Character:
Quincy, M.E.
Character:
Kolchak: The Night Stalker
Character:Janitor
Little House on the Prairie
Character:
The Waltons
Character:Announcer
The Young Rebels
Character:
The Mod Squad
Character:Detective at Hospital (uncredited)
Adam-12
Character:Tom Horton
Ironside
Character:Slim
Ironside
Character:Photo Lab Foreman
Mr. Terrific
Character:Harry
Pistols 'n' Petticoats
Character:
Batman
Character:Rip Snorting
Batman
Character:Hot Dog Harrigan
Laredo
Character:
F Troop
Character:
F Troop
Character:Balladeer
F Troop
Character:Trooper Hoffenmueller
The Legend of Jesse James
Character:Bartender
The Munsters
Character:
Bewitched
Character:
The Virginian
Character:Madison
The Virginian
Character:Pooch
The Virginian
Character:Sam the Bartender
The Virginian
Character:Bartender
The Virginian
Character:Bucky the Bartender
Thriller
Character:Policeman
The Clear Horizon
Character:First Officer Mikel
The Untouchables
Character:Freddie
The Twilight Zone
Character:Erbie
The Twilight Zone
Character:Ace
Laramie
Character:
Riverboat
Character:Pickalong
Bonanza
Character:Lou Palmer
Bonanza
Character:Bartender #1
Rawhide
Character:Luke Rose (uncredited)
Bronco
Character:
Trackdown
Character:
Suspicion
Character:
Maverick
Character:
Perry Mason
Character:Operative
Perry Mason
Character:Operator
The Thin Man
Character:
M Squad
Character:First Mate
Have Gun, Will Travel
Character:
Have Gun, Will Travel
Character:McHeath
Have Gun, Will Travel
Character:Sanders - Gold Robber
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
Character:Jimmy Logan (uncredited)
Panic!
Character:
State Trooper
Character:
State Trooper
Character:Sheriff Tom Newell
Screen Director's Playhouse
Character:Sandhogger #4
Sergeant Preston of the Yukon
Character:
Gunsmoke
Character:Joe
Gunsmoke
Character:Bob
Gunsmoke
Character:Norm
Gunsmoke
Character:Wills
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Character:
Studio 57
Character:
I Led Three Lives
Character:
Dragnet
Character:
Images
