Quick Answer:
Popcorn Sutton, born as Marvin Sutton on October 5, 1946, was a famous American moonshiner from the Appalachian region. He was married and had one child.
Introduction:
Popcorn Sutton was born on October 5, 1946, and was an American figure widely recognized for producing moonshine in the Appalachian region. In that area, moonshining was seen as part of a long-standing local tradition rather than a structured business. There is no confirmed information showing that he completed any formal higher education. His income came mainly from the illegal production of liquor, along with earnings from his self-published book and his appearances in documentary films. Sutton spent a modest and private life in the mountains, where his daily activities and identity were deeply rooted in traditional Appalachian culture rather than modern professional paths.
Who Was Popcorn Sutton?
Popcorn Sutton, born Marvin Sutton, came into the world in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, in a working class mountain family that relied on hard physical work and a simple way of life in the Appalachian Mountains. He was raised with strong family ties, especially close to his parents and sister, and developed a deep appreciation for traditional Appalachian music and folk songs, which were a regular part of his family’s daily routine.
Over time, he became widely known for his involvement in traditional moonshining, a practice he viewed as an important element of Appalachian heritage rather than a conventional profession. Popcorn Sutton passed away in 2009, but he continues to be remembered through his documentary appearances and his self-published book, both of which helped bring broader recognition to his lifestyle and the cultural traditions of the Appalachian region.
Popcorn Sutton’s Personal & Physical Details
| Category | Description |
| Birth Name | Marvin Sutton |
| Popular Name | Popcorn Sutton |
| Born On | October 5, 1946 |
| Age at the Time of Death | 62 Years |
| Passed Away On | March 16, 2009 |
| Birthplace | Maggie Valley, North Carolina, United States |
| Place of Death | Parrottsville, Tennessee, United States |
| Citizenship | American |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
| Approximate Weight | 45.37 kg |
| Physical Traits | Slim physique, long white beard, traditional mountain-style clothing |
| Profession | Moonshiner, Bootlegger, Writer |
| Educational Background | Not publicly documented |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Spouse | Pamela (Pam) Sutton |
| Children | Two daughters (Sky Sutton, Regina Sutton Chennault) |
| Way of Life | Traditional and simple mountain living |
| Main Income Sources | Illegal moonshine production, book sales, documentary appearances |
| Estimated Net Worth | $16 Million |
| Year He Died | 2009 |
Why Popcorn Sutton Became Famous as a Moonshiner
Popcorn Sutton earned the title of moonshiner because he was involved in the illegal production of alcohol, a long-standing practice in the Appalachian region known as moonshining. He followed a tradition passed down through his family, viewing the craft as a cultural legacy rather than a structured commercial venture. For Sutton, making moonshine was about honoring generational customs instead of growing a business.
Since the activity was against the law, he faced multiple arrests throughout his life and was careful about how and when he produced liquor. He often worked in secrecy, typically during nighttime hours, to stay hidden from authorities. This approach reflected the methods used by earlier mountain distillers, who relied on darkness to conceal their equipment and operations. These practices strengthened Sutton’s reputation as a classic, old fashioned Appalachian moonshiner rather than a modern alcohol manufacturer.
Popcorn Sutton’s Career and Public Image
Popcorn Sutton focused on traditional Appalachian moonshining, following it as a family tradition rather than a formal business. He used old techniques passed down through generations and openly rejected modern methods. Along with moonshining, he became known through his books and documentary appearances, where he shared his life story and mountain culture. His repeated legal troubles also shaped his public image as a defiant, 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, roughly two years before his death in 2009, following a brief relationship. Pam stood by him during his continuing legal problems and supported him through some of the most challenging years of his life. He had two daughters, one of whom was Sky Sutton, who published the book Daddy Moonshine in 2009, offering her personal view of her father despite limited contact with him while growing up. His other daughter, Regina Sutton Chennault, later became involved in a legal battle with Pam Sutton concerning Popcorn Sutton’s estate, brand ownership, and intellectual property. These disputes revealed a more complicated personal legacy that went beyond his public reputation as a moonshiner.
Popcorn Sutton Net Worth
Popcorn Sutton’s net worth was never formally documented, since he did not operate as a traditional businessman with clear financial records. The figures commonly seen online, typically estimated between $13 million and $16 million, are not confirmed and remain speculative. His income came mainly from moonshining, along with revenue from book sales and documentary appearances, while additional value developed from the ongoing use of his name and image after his passing. Although his distinctive personality and media presence increased public interest and added financial significance to his legacy, the unlawful nature of much of his work means his actual net worth cannot be precisely determined and is largely based on estimates rather than verified data.
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 widely recognized Appalachian moonshiner who lived according to tradition instead of modern standards. His life reflected deep-rooted heritage, controversy, and a fierce spirit of independence. Through books and documentaries, his story continues to symbolize traditional mountain culture and a way of life that has endured over time.
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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