John Mitchum

John Mitchum

John Mitchum as Frank DiGiorgio in The Enforcer
Born (1919-09-06)September 6, 1919
Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.
Died November 29, 2001(2001-11-29) (aged 82)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of death Stroke
Occupation Actor, musician
Years active 1947-1990
Spouse(s) Nancy Munro (1952-1976) (her death)
Bonnie Mitchum (?-2001) (his death)
Joy Grahame Hallward (? - ?) (divorced) 1 child

John Mitchum (September 6, 1919 – November 29, 2001) was an American actor from the 1940s to the 1970s in film and television. He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Ann Harriet Mitchum (née Gunderson) and James Thomas Mitchum, who was killed in a railyard accident seven months before he was born. He was the younger brother of Julie Mitchum and Robert Mitchum. He served in the United States Army, 361st Harbor Craft Company, in Florida and Hawaii.

Career

He initially appeared in only unbilled (e.g., "Flying Leathernecks", RKO 1951) and extra roles before gradually receiving bigger character parts. Mitchum supported his more famous brother on several occasions, and became known as the friendly, food-loving Inspector Frank DiGiorgio in the first three Dirty Harry films. Mitchum was one of only four actors to appear in more than one film in this series (the others being Clint Eastwood, Harry Guardino and Albert Popwell), and with Eastwood and Guardino, he was one of only three actors to play the same character in each appearance. His character was killed in the third film, The Enforcer.

In 1958, Mitchum was cast in two episodes of the crime drama Richard Diamond, Private Detective, starring David Janssen. He played Joe in the episode "Short Haul" and Jimmy Logan in "Bungalow Murder".[1]

On September 15, 1959, Mitchum appeared in the premiere episode "Stage Stop" of the western series Laramie.[2]

Mitchum was cast in 1960 as the character with the unusual name "Pickalong" in 10 episodes of another western Riverboat, starring Darren McGavin. The same year, he appeared in the western series The Rebel, starring Nick Adams. He also appeared as Hal Swanson in the 1960 episode "Silver Killers" of the western series Tombstone Territory.[1]

From 1965 to 1967, Mitchum had the recurring role of Trooper Hoffenmueller in 11 episodes of the sitcom F Troop, starring Forrest Tucker, Larry Storch and Ken Berry.[1]

Mitchum was a writer, poet, singer, and guitar player. An autobiography/biography about his life and career and that of his brother Robert was published in 1998, called Them Ornery Mitchum Boys. 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 the late 1970s and early 1980s. Wayne is often mistakenly credited with composing the piece.

Death

Mitchum died on November 29, 2001 after complications of three strokes. He was 82. His death was announced by the Los Angeles Times on Sunday, December 4, 2001.

Selected filmography

References

  1. 1 2 3 "John Mitchum". Internet Movie Data Base. Retrieved March 30, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Laramie: "Stage Stop", September 15, 1959". Internet Movie Data Base. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
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