Popcorn Sutton | |
---|---|
Born | Marvin Sutton October 5, 1946 |
Died | March 16, 2009 Parrottsville, Tennessee, U.S. | (aged 62)
Occupation(s) | Moonshiner, bootlegger |
Notable work | Popcorn Sutton's Tennessee White Whiskey |
Spouse | Pamela Sutton |
Children | 1 |
Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton (October 5, 1946 – March 16, 2009) was an American Appalachian moonshiner and bootlegger. Born in Maggie Valley, North Carolina,[1][2] he grew up, lived and died in the rural areas around Maggie Valley and nearby Cocke County, Tennessee.[3][4][5] He wrote a self-published autobiographical guide to moonshining production, self-produced a home video depicting his moonshining activities, was the subject of several documentaries, including one that received a Regional Emmy Award, and is the subject of the award-winning biography and photobook The Moonshiner Popcorn Sutton.[6]
Sutton died by suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning in March 2009, aged 62, rather than report to federal prison[7] after being convicted of offenses related to moonshining and illegal firearm possession. Since his death, a new company and associated whiskey brand have been named after him.