John Cameron Mitchell (born April 21, 1963) is an American actor, writer, and director. He began his career in theater, notably originating the role of Dickon in The Secret Garden. Mitchell made his name writing and starring as the eponymous gay rock star in Hedwig and the Angry Inch and its film version.
He also directed the film version of Hedwig, and would go on to direct the films Shortbus, Rabbit Hole, and How to Talk to Girls at Parties. Mitchell has also directed or otherwise co-created music videos for Bright Eyes, Scissor Sisters, and Sigur Rós.
He reemerged as an actor in the 2010s and was a main cast member of the show Shrill. Anime fans might know him as the visual inspiration for the character Viktor on Yuri!!! on Ice.
Mitchell came out as gay in 2001 and nonbinary in 2022.
Filmography (as actor):
- Party Girl 1996: Derrick
- Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001): Hedwig
- Girls (2013-2014): David Pressler-Goings
- Vinyl (2016): Andy Warhol
- My Entire High School Sinking Into The Sea (2016): Brent Daniels (voice role)
- The Good Fight (2017-2020): Felix Staples
- Mozart in the Jungle (2018): Egon
- The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air) (2018): John Cameron
- Shrill (2019-2021): Gabe
- Joe vs. Carole (2022): Joe Exotic
- The Sandman (2022): Hal
- Yellowjackets: Life-sized Caligula
Tropes applying to his career:
- The Cast Showoff: Shrill and Sandman liberally make use of his musical theater background. His character on Sandman is never seen performing in the comics, but the show gives him multiple drag performances.
- Queer Character, Queer Actor: Mitchell was openly gay when he played the gay rock star Hedwig, and would go on to play many other LGBT characters, such as Felix on The Good Fight and Hal on Sandman.
- Star-Making Role: The titular character of Hedwig and the Angry Inch put his name on the map.
