Jim Mitchum, 'Thunder Road' actor and son of Robert Mitchum, dies at 84

Jim Mitchum, the eldest son of legendary Hollywood actor Robert Mitchum, passed away at the age of 84. A family spokesman confirmed that he died on September 20 in his home in Skull Valley, Arizona, after a long illness. ‘Thunder Road’ actor Jim Mitchum dies at 84 born James Robin Spence Mitchum in Los Angeles on May 8, 1941, he was the first child of Robert Mitchum and Dorothy Spence Mitchum. His birth was unforgettable: Robert, a struggling actor at the time, had to rush out of a stage action – still in costume as a Russian farmer – in hospital. The family initially lived modestly and shared a converted chicken coop in Western Hollywood with extended family members before Robert’s career began. Although his mother tried to keep him outside the show, Jim finally followed his father to act. On just 16, he made his credited debut in ‘Thunder Road’ (1958) and played Robin Doolin, the younger brother of his father’s character. The film, originally written for Elvis Presley, became a cult classic, known for its high-speed chases and moonlight-powered drama. Jim’s role elicited a lifelong interest in mechanics, and he later worked as a motorcyclist and even as a mechanic on Presley’s cars. More about Jim Mitchum’s legacy about the subsequent decades, Mitchum has appeared in about three dozen films and television shows. His credits include the 1960s war films such as ‘The Victors’ (1963), ‘in Harm’s Way’ (1965) and ‘Ambush Bay’ (1966). He also worked with Dennis Hopper on the Troubled Production ‘The Last Movie’ (1971) and later produced a short documentary about the experience. Outside of the acting, Mitchum briefly pursued music and recorded a single entitled Lonely Birthday in 1961, although it failed to get traction. His later screen rolls include Ride the Wild Surf (1964) and Moonrunners (1975), who serve the latter as inspiration for the popular television series The Dukes of Hazzard. He retired in 1994. Mitchum married the actress Wende Wagner in 1968. The couple had a son, Will, Will, and raised Wagner’s daughter Tiffany before their marriage ended in 1978.