John Dutton

**This is my home. I made a promise. Protect it, care for it, love it. Me and this family, can't break it.**
John Dutton the 3rd

## John Dutton

* Present
* 20th Century

### Relatives

* James Dutton (Great Grandfather) †
* Margaret Dutton (Great Grandmother) †
* John Dutton Sr. (Grandfather) †
* John Dutton Jr. (Father) †
* Unnamed Mother †
* Peter Dutton (Brother) †
* Evelyn Dutton (Wife) †
* Lee Dutton (Son) †
* Jamie Dutton (Adopted-Son)
* Bethany Dutton (Daughter)
* Rip Wheeler (Son-in-Law)
* Kayce Dutton (Son)
* Monica Dutton (Daughter-in-Law)
* Tate Dutton (Grandson)
* John Dutton IV (Grandson) †
* Jamie (Grandson)

### Affiliation

* Yellowstone Dutton Ranch
* Montana Livestock Association
* Dutton Family

### Occupation

* Govenor of Montana
* Rancher
* Livestock Commisioner (Formerly)

## Appearances

### Portrayed by

* Kevin Costner
* Josh Lucas *(Flashbacks)*

**John Dutton III** is a main character on *Yellowstone*. He is a Montana rancher. He owns one of the biggest cattle ranches of the United States. He is the protagonist of the series.

## Biography

### Early Life

Dutton was married to Evelyn. They had four children: three sons, one of whom they had adopted, and a daughter. The pair ran the ranch together prior to her death in 1997. He buried Evelyn on the ranch. His father, John Dutton II, who had retired from ranching due to failing health, died several years later of cancer, urging him never to give up the ranch to anyone under any circumstances. John promised this and took it to heart.

### Throughout the Series

John is the patriarch of the Dutton family and the owner of Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, the largest ranch in the United States which was located in Park, due east of Bozeman. He is the former Livestock Commissioner for the state of Montana and one of the most respected, powerful members of the communities from Bozeman to Livingston. He stepped down from his position at the request of Governor Lynelle Perry and his son, Kayce Dutton, was named the new Livestock Commissioner. It was also revealed in the show that he was diagnosed with colon cancer and had a series of episodes due to the diagnosis. Upon learning that Governor Perry was making a run for the United States Senate, he was offered a potential endorsement for the Governor seat, and learned that his foster son, Jamie, who was the current state AG, was eyeing the very same prize. Knowing Jamie's ambitions and what his career would do to the ranch, John made a leap, went to Helena and declared his candidacy for Governor of the State of Montana.

## Appearances

* *Kill the Messenger*
* *No Good Horses*
* *The Long Black Train*
* *Coming Home*
* *The Remembering*
* *A Monster is Among Us*
* *The Unravelling: Part 1*
* *The Unravelling: Part 2*
* *New Beginnings*
* *The Reek of Desperation*
* *Only Devils Left*
* *Touching Your Enemy*
* *Blood the Boy*
* *Resurrection Day*
* *Behind Us Only Grey*
* *Enemies by Monday*
* *Sins of the Father*

* *Freight Trains and Monsters*
* *An Acceptable Surrender*
* *Going Back to Cali*
* *Cowboys and Dreamers*
* *All for Nothing*
* *The Beating*
* *I Killed a Man Today*
* *Meaner Than Evil*
* *The World is Purple*
* *Phantom Pain*
* *All I See is You*
* *Winning or Learning*
* *Under a Blanket of Red*
* *I Want to Be Him*
* *Keep the Wolves Close*
* *No Kindness for the Coward*
* *No Such Thing as Fair*
* *Grass on the Streets and Weeds on the Rooftops*

* *The Sting of Wisdom*
* *Tall Drink of Water*
* *Horses in Heaven*
* *Watch'em Ride Away*
* *Cigarettes, Whiskey, a Meadow and You*
* *The Dream is Not Me*
* *A Knife and No Coin*