| John Mitchum | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 6, 1919 Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | November 29, 2001 (aged 82) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
John Mitchum (September 6, 1919 – November 29, 2001) was an American actor from the 1940s in films and, later, television. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and the younger brother of Julie Mitchum and Robert Mitchum, he initially appeared in only unbilled and extra roles before gradually receiving bigger character parts in middle age. Mitchum supported his more famous brother on several occasions and was featured as the cop Frank DiGiorgio in the first three Dirty Harry films.
Mitchum was also a writer, poet, singer and played guitar. An autobiography/biography about the life and careers of him and his brother Robert Mitchum was published in the 1998 calledThem Ornery Mitchum Boys, is now out of print, but available from rare and used booksellers. He composed the piece "America, Why I Love Her", which John Wayne included in his book and album of the same name. The piece and a short film with Wayne's narration were aired at many television stations at sign-off time before stations began broadcasting 24 hours a day in late 1970s early 1980s. Wayne is often mistakenly credited with composing the piece.
Mitchum died of a stroke, at the age of 82.