Trivia

Served as a bombardier in the US Army Air Force during World War II.

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.

Uncredited, he provided the voice of Jesus Christ in El manto sagrado (1953), although another actor played the character.

Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Uncle Buck Cannon on El Gran Chaparral (1967).

While attending Greenwood High School, he pitched for his baseball team well enough to attract offers from several major-league teams.

His son Fred passed away in 1998, just four years after Cameron's own death. Fred's gourmet-food company still operates out of Saskatoon (in Canada), but is now owned by Maple Leaf Foods.

His three children had followed in his footsteps--they all became actors.

Was producer David Dortort's first choice for the co-lead role, opposite Leif Erickson, in El Gran Chaparral (1967).

Created the role of Happy Loman in Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" on Broadway, and also played the role in the film version (La muerte de un viajante (1951)).

Was the only El Gran Chaparral (1967) cast member to have appeared in more movies than series star Leif Erickson.

His parents, Charles and Kathryn Mitzell, were both ministers of the Reformed Lutheran Church.

When he came to New York, he had a thick Pennsylvania Dutch accent.

Began his career as a contract player at MGM in 1945.

Among the jobs he held before becoming an actor were dishwasher and theater usher.

Reconciled with Camille Janclaire, just before his death.

Was a heavy smoker. As a result, he died at his home in Pacific Palisades, California after battling lung cancer for nearly two years.

While at 20th Century-Fox in December of 1950, he introduced a fellow performer at his studio, Marilyn Monroe, to two famous theater personalities, Elia Kazan and Arthur Miller, with both of whom she would later have relationships (in Miller's case, marriage).

When he was a senior in high school his father wanted him to be a minister, but he decided to become an actor instead.

Due to anti-German sentiment he often claimed to be of Dutch descent.

Played the captain of the "Goliath" in Abismo (1977), but his scenes were deleted.

Once did a pilot with Henry Darrow, before he worked with him on El Gran Chaparral (1967).

Changed his name from Mitzell to Mitchell, because Lynn Fontane realized his real name sounded "a little bit too much like the Hun".

He had 12 hobbies: poker, golfing, family, animals, reading the Bible, fishing, traveling, playing basketball, soccer, philosophy, car racing and cooking.

Father of Cameron Mitchell Jr. and Camille Mitchell.

Before he was cast in producer David Dortort's El Gran Chaparral (1967), he had appeared in a short-lived TV series that had also been produced by Dortort.

Prior to being cast in El Gran Chaparral (1967) he had appeared in an episode of Bonanza (1959); both series were produced by his good friend David Dortort.

Of Scottish, German and Irish descent.

Attended the Theater School of Dramatic Arts in New York City.

Was originally assigned to star in Siete ciudades de oro (1955).

Interred at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, CA.

His father, Charles Mitzel, died in 1975, he lived to be 77.

Survived by six of his seven children, and by 5 grandchildren, including Charles Joseph Mitchell and actress Jinjara Mitchell.

Despite his divorce from Camille Janclaire, he maintained close ties to Canada.

His son Fred served as president of Intercontinental Packers, alongside Johanna Mitchell--his mother and Cameron's first wife. She served as Chairwoman of the Board in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (in Canada).

Graduated from Greenwood High School in Millerstown, PA, in 1936.

Was the fourth of seven children.

Interviewed in Tom Weaver's book "Attack of the Monster Movie Makers" (McFarland & Co., 1994).

His ex-El Gran Chaparral (1967) co-star, Henry Darrow, had a lot in common with him--both were very popular in high school, both began acting at an early age and both made a lot of westerns on their way to becoming stars.

All of his children were raised in Canada.

Due to his numerous appearances on schlock movies covered by RedLetterMedia, he was named by them as the patron saint of Best of the Worst. He's also part of the Best of the Worst Hall of Fame along with Surviving Edged Weapons and Creating Rem Lezar.

In the early '80s he appeared in a hardcore porn film, Dixie Ray: Hollywood Star (1982), playing a police lieutenant (although he did not "perform"). Reportedly he wasn't told it was a sex film until after his scenes were shot.