John Newman Mitchum was born as the September child of a Norwegian mother and an Irish/Blackfoot father, who was tragically killed in a train yard accident in 1919. His older brother Robert took on a paternal role, while their sister Anne studied the performing arts and later joined a vaudeville troupe.
The family moved from Bridgeport, Connecticut to Rising Sun, Delaware, where they struggled to make ends meet. Eventually, they settled in New York City, where the brothers learned to fight to survive on the streets of Hell's Kitchen. They earned the nickname "the ornery Mitchum boys" for their rugged demeanor.
During the Great Depression, the family was forced to separate, with the intention of reuniting with their sister Anne, who had married a sailor and moved to California. The teenage brothers set out on a journey across the country, hitchhiking and riding the rails, where they encountered various challenges and learned to adapt to new environments.
John's older brother Robert went on to become a Hollywood legend, while John pursued a career in professional boxing and conducting choirs. He eventually found his niche as a character actor, playing heavies in films and television shows, alongside notable celebrities such as Humphrey Bogart, Gladys Knight, Clint Eastwood, and John Wayne.
John's acting career spanned over 58 films, and he was nominated for a Grammy Award for his spoken-word album "America, Why I Love Her" in 1973. He was also a skilled storyteller and musician, often regaling audiences with historical anecdotes and playing the guitar.
In addition to his acting career, John had recurring roles in several television shows, including "Riverboat" and "F-Troop". He also wrote an autobiography, "Them Ornery Mitchum Boys", which was published in 1989 and chronicled his life, including his adventures on the rails, his love of music, and his respect for the people of the United States.
