Biography

Cameron Mitchell

Jump to

Cameron Mitchell was the son of a minister, but chose a different path from his father. Prior to World War II, in which he served as an Air Force bombardier, Mitchell appeared on Broadway, and, in 1940, an experimental television broadcast, "The Passing of the Third Floor Back". He made his film debut in What Next, Corporal Hargrove? (1945), but continued with stage as well as film work. He gained early recognition for his portrayal of Happy in the stage and screen versions of "Death of a Salesman". Still, out of more than 300 film and TV appearances, he is probably best remembered for his work on The High Chaparral (1967) TV series in which he, as the happy-go-lucky Buck Cannon, and Henry Darrow, as Manolito Montoya, stole the show.
- IMDb mini biography by: Kat Parsons <fke2d@Virginia.EDU>

Before he was a successful actor, he worked alongside another young unfamiliar actor, Gregory Peck, as a page at Radio City in New York City.
Served as a bombardier in the US Army Air Force during World War II.
Uncredited, he provided the voice of Jesus Christ in The Robe (1953), although another actor played the character.
Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Uncle Buck Cannon on The High Chaparral (1967).
While attending Greenwood High School, he pitched for his baseball team well enough to attract offers from several major-league teams.

All the men in our family as far back as I cam remember were ministers. We had a corner on the market. It just figured that I would follow along.
I like to play things for real, and we Americans kid ourselves a lot about other people. I was in Europe for 10 years making movies, many of them behind the Iron Curtain, and those people over there are miserable, but the Commie leaders told them it's because of Yankee imperialism. If we'd pull out of Vietnam right now, that argument would collapse and the Commies with it. I wish just one of our presidential candidates had the sense to see that.
[1958, when replacing an ill actor in the York Little Theater's production of "Inherit the Wind"] It's a great part, just right for my father, but not for me.
[upon being released from jail for not paying his alimony on time] This comes like a shot out of the blue. I don't know if she wants to slowly kill me, you know, privately and professionally, I just don't know; but I'm not bitter.
[In 1961] I have to live too. 40% for her [his ex-wife], 10% to an agent, 5% to a manager and on and on. It all comes to about 128%.

Suggest an edit or add missing content