Jim Mitchum, the veteran actor who starred alongside his legendary father Robert Mitchum in the 1958 cult classic “Thunder Road,” died September 20 at his ranch home in Skull Valley, Arizona, after a lengthy illness. He was 84.
A family spokesperson announced that Mitchum’s wife, Pamela K. Smith, was by his side when he passed away, along with the couple’s beloved poodle. The actor had battled his illness for an extended period before succumbing at his Arizona ranch property.
Born James Robin Spence Mitchum on May 8, 1941, in Los Angeles to Robert Mitchum and Dorothy Spence Mitchum, Jim entered the film industry despite his mother’s determination to keep him away from show business. His striking resemblance to his father ultimately led to his breakthrough role at age 16, when he was cast as Robert’s younger brother, Robin Doolin, in “Thunder Road.”
The role in “Thunder Road” was originally written for Elvis Presley, a family friend of the Mitchums, but Presley’s manager demanded too much money for the part. The film, also produced by Robert Mitchum, followed Southern whiskey runners in conflict with federal agents and organized crime, featuring numerous car chases and stunts.
Jim’s character worked as a car mechanic, which sparked his real-life interest in engines and automobiles. He developed genuine mechanical skills and briefly pursued stock car racing, even working on Presley’s hot rods. This connection with Presley led to a friendship and inspired Jim to attempt a singing career in 1961, when he signed with 20th Century Fox and recorded the single “Lonely Birthday.” However, the song failed to achieve commercial success.
Throughout the 1960s, Mitchum appeared in approximately 11 films and television productions. His notable credits included “The Victors” (1963), starring George Peppard, Albert Finney and George Hamilton; “Ride the Wild Surf” (1964) with Fabian and Shelley Fabares; “In Harm’s Way” (1965) featuring John Wayne and Kirk Douglas; and “Ambush Bay” (1966) with Hugh O’Brian and Mickey Rooney.
In 1971, Mitchum joined Dennis Hopper’s notorious project “The Last Movie,” traveling to Peru for the filming alongside Peter Fonda and Kris Kristofferson. During the production, he created a short behind-the-scenes documentary titled “The Last Movie Movie,” documenting his experience working with the cast and crew on the troubled project.
One of his later significant roles came in 1975’s “Moonrunners,” a comedy about illegal whiskey business that echoed themes from “Thunder Road.” This film later served as inspiration for the popular CBS television series “The Dukes of Hazzard.” Mitchum noted that the project connected back to his father’s moonshine-running legacy from their earlier collaboration.
Mitchum made his first film appearance at age eight in Raoul Walsh’s 1949 Western “Colorado Territory.” Growing up in Los Angeles, he lived with his family in a converted chicken coop behind a rented West Hollywood bungalow that housed Robert’s mother, stepfather, three siblings and a nephew. By 1943, Robert’s acting success allowed the family to rent a nearby house, just in time for the birth of Jim’s brother Christopher, who also became an actor.
After retiring from acting in 1994, Mitchum moved to Paradise Valley, Arizona, where he managed his parents’ quarter horse ranch, overseeing breeding and racing operations. Following Robert Mitchum’s death in July 1997 at age 79, Jim continued operating the ranch in Skull Valley. In recent years, he developed a line of premium moonshine, traditional corn whiskey and “Robert’s Rye” whiskey as tribute to his father’s film legacy.
Mitchum married three times during his life. His first marriage to actress Wende Wagner lasted from 1968 to 1978, producing one son, Will, in 1969. Wagner had a three-year-old daughter, Tiffany, from a previous relationship. In 1985, he married Vivian Ferrand, and they had two children together: Brian in 1988 and Caitlin Ann in 1989, before divorcing in 1995.
He met his third wife, Pamela K. Smith, a former English professor, in 1993 in Arizona. Their relationship began as friendship before developing into romance, and they married earlier in 2025.
Mitchum is survived by his wife Pamela, brother Christopher Mitchum, sister Petrine Day Mitchum, daughter Ana Liljeback, son Will Spence Mitchum, stepdaughter Tiffany Mitchum Greene, son Brian Price Mitchum, daughter Caitlin Ann Mitchum, and grandchildren Jack Durham Mitchum, Wagner Bernard Maximus Mitchum, Paige Mitchum and Winnry Marie Mitchum Muir.
