Mitchum, Robert (1917-1997), was an American motion-picture actor known for his casual style. In a career that lasted more than 50 years, he earned the respect of critics and the affection of audiences for his acting in a broad range of roles. Mitchum played killers, romantic leading men, heroes in action and war movies, detectives, and cowboys, all with understated skill.
Mitchum was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was a drifter for much of his early life, wandering throughout the United States taking a variety of jobs. He began his acting career in California with the Long Beach Theater Guild in 1942 and began playing villains in Western movies in 1943. He got his first break in the war movie The Story of G. I. Joe (1945). By the late 1940’s, he was one of Hollywood’s major stars, a position he held until his death. Mitchum’s early career was marred by problems with the law. In 1948 and 1949, he served 50 days in jail for the illegal possession of marijuana.
Mitchum’s major films include Pursued, Crossfire, and Out of the Past (all 1947), The Big Steal (1949), Angel Face (1953), Night of the Hunter (1955), The Sundowners (1960), Cape Fear (1962), Ryan’s Daughter (1971), Farewell My Lovely (1975), The Last Tycoon (1976), and The Big Sleep (1978). He later starred in three popular television mini-series–The Winds of War (1983), North and South (1985), and War and Remembrance (1988).
