Quick Answer:
Popcorn Sutton, whose real name was Marvin Sutton, was a well-known American moonshiner from the Appalachian region. He was married, had one child, and was born on October 5, 1946.
Introduction:
Popcorn Sutton was born on October 5, 1946, and was an American known for making moonshine in the Appalachian region, where this practice was part of local tradition rather than a formal business. There is no public record of him receiving higher education, and he earned money mainly from making illegal liquor, as well as from his own book and appearances in documentaries. He lived a quiet and simple life in the mountains, and his work and lifestyle were closely connected to traditional mountain culture instead of modern careers or industries.
Who is popcorn Sutton?
Popcorn Sutton, whose real name was Marvin Sutton, was born in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, into a hardworking mountain family that depended on manual labor and simple living in the Appalachian Mountains. He grew up closely connected to his parents and sister and had a strong love for traditional songs and music, often enjoying them with his family as part of everyday life.
He later became known for traditional moonshining, which he considered a part of mountain culture rather than a modern career. Popcorn Sutton died in 2009, and he is also remembered for his appearances in documentaries and his self-published book, which brought wider attention to his lifestyle and Appalachian traditions.
Popcorn Sutton’s Physical Profile
| Detail | Information |
| Real Name | Marvin Sutton |
| Known As | Popcorn Sutton |
| Date of Birth | October 5, 1946 |
| Age at Death | 62 years |
| Date of Death | March 16, 2009 |
| City of Birth | Maggie Valley, North Carolina, USA |
| City of Death | Parrottsville, Tennessee, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Weight | 45.37 kg |
| Physical Appearance | Long white beard, slim build, traditional mountain clothing |
| Career / Profession | Moonshiner, Bootlegger, Author |
| Education | N\A |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Pamela (Pam) Sutton |
| Children | 2 Daughter(Sky Sutton) (Regina Sutton Chennault) |
| Lifestyle | Simple rural mountain lifestyle |
| Source of Income | Illegal moonshine, book sales, documentaries |
| Net Worth | $16 Million |
| Year of Death | 2009 |
Why Popcorn Sutton Was Known as a Moonshiner
Popcorn Sutton was called a moonshiner because he made illegal liquor, a practice commonly known as moonshining in the Appalachian region. He followed the path of his ancestors, practicing traditional Appalachian moonshining as a cultural inheritance rather than starting it as a formal business. He believed this work was passed down through generations and continued it out of respect for family tradition, not commercial expansion. Because moonshining was illegal, he was arrested multiple times over the years, and he often produced liquor secretly, usually at night, to avoid law enforcement. Producing liquor under the cover of darkness was a traditional method used by old mountain distillers, as it helped hide equipment and reduce the risk of detection, which further reinforced his identity as a traditional, old-style moonshiner rather than a modern alcohol producer.
Popcorn Sutton’s Career and Public Recognition
Popcorn Sutton’s career was centered on traditional Appalachian moonshining, which he practiced as a family tradition rather than a formal business. He spent much of his life making illegal liquor using old methods passed down through generations and became known for strongly rejecting modern production techniques. Alongside moonshining, he gained wider recognition as an author and documentary subject, using books and films to share his personal story, beliefs, and mountain culture. His career also involved repeated legal trouble, which further shaped his public image as a defiant and old-style moonshiner.
Key Books and Documentaries:
- Me and My Likker (1999) – his first and most important book
- Mountain Talk (2002) – early documentary appearance
- This Is the Last Dam Run of Likker I’ll Ever Make (2002) – the documentary that brought him major attention
- Hillbilly (2007) – continued media presence
- Popcorn Sutton—A Hell of a Life (2014) – later documentary focused on his life
- The Moonshiner Popcorn Sutton (2021) – detailed biography released after his death
Popcorn Sutton’s Wife and Children
Popcorn Sutton married Pamela (Pam) Sutton in 2007, about two years before his death in 2009, after a very short courtship. Pam remained with him during his ongoing legal troubles and supported him through the most difficult period of his life. Popcorn had two daughters, including Sky Sutton, who later wrote the book Daddy Moonshine in 2009, sharing her personal perspective on her father despite having little contact with him during childhood. His other daughter, Regina Sutton Chennault, became involved in a legal dispute with Pam Sutton over Popcorn Sutton’s estate, brand rights, and intellectual property after his death. These family disputes highlighted the complex personal side of his legacy, which extended beyond his public image as a moonshiner
Popcorn Sutton Net Worth
Popcorn Sutton’s net worth was never officially recorded, as he was not a conventional businessman with documented finances. Most figures found online, usually ranging between $13 million and $16 million, are estimates rather than verified facts. His earnings were linked to moonshining, book sales, and appearances in documentaries, with additional value coming from the continued use of his name and image after his death. While his strong personality and media exposure helped increase public interest and financial value around his legacy, the illegal nature of much of his work makes his exact net worth uncertain and based largely on assumptions rather than proven records.
Popcorn Sutton’s Grave Location
Popcorn Sutton is buried in Parrottsville, Cocke County, Tennessee, USA. He was laid to rest on his own property in a small family graveyard, where he spent the final years of his life.
“I want to be buried beside my father, Vader Sutton. Take me to the graveyard in the back of a pickup truck, and let people drink while I’m being buried. I don’t want any viewing, preaching, singing, or ceremony of any kind. I also don’t want my death announced in the newspaper.”
Popcorn also wrote:
“Do Not Embalm me…If any visitors come to the Grave yard will run their ass off…if anyone Brings one damn flower to My Grave to Destroy it as Quick as it is Delivered.”
Conclusion
Popcorn Sutton was a well-known Appalachian moonshiner who lived by tradition rather than modern rules. His life was shaped by heritage, controversy, and a strong sense of independence. Through books and documentaries, his story continues to represent old mountain culture and a lifestyle that refuses to fade.
FAQs
1.Why was Popcorn Sutton called a moonshiner?
He was called a moonshiner because he made illegal liquor using traditional methods passed down through his ancestors, often producing it secretly at night.
2.Was Popcorn Sutton married?
Yes, he married Pamela (Pam) Sutton in 2007, about two years before his death.
3.Did Popcorn Sutton have children?
Yes, he had two daughters, including Sky Sutton and Regina Sutton Chennault.
4.What was Popcorn Sutton’s net worth?
His net worth was never officially confirmed. Online estimates usually range between $13 million and $16 million, but these figures are not verified.
5.What book did Popcorn Sutton write?
In 1999, he wrote and self-published his book Me and My Likker.
6.Where is Popcorn Sutton buried?
He is buried in Parrottsville, Cocke County, Tennessee, on his own property in a family graveyard.
7.Why is Popcorn Sutton still famous today?
He is remembered for his strong personality, traditional lifestyle, documentaries, and his role in preserving Appalachian moonshining culture.
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