Jim Mitchum, son of Hollywood legend Robert Mitchum, dies at 82
Jim Mitchum, the eldest son of screen icon Robert Mitchum, passed away on September 20 at his ranch in Skull Valley, Arizona, after a long illness, a family spokesperson confirmed. He was 82.
Born May 8, 1941, in Los Angeles, Jim bore a striking resemblance to his father and followed him into Hollywood. He first appeared onscreen at age eight and landed his breakout role at 16 in the 1958 cult classic Thunder Road, a part originally intended for Elvis Presley. The film, where he played Robert Mitchum’s younger brother, became a drive-in favorite and sparked his lifelong love of cars — even leading to a brief stint working on Presley’s hot rods.
Over the next few decades, Jim, sometimes credited as James Mitchum, starred in over 30 films, including In Harm’s Way (1965), Ambush Bay (1966), and Moonrunners (1975), which inspired The Dukes of Hazzard. He also briefly ventured into music with the 1961 single Lonely Birthday.
Though he loved acting, Jim was outspoken about the film industry’s decline, once calling the Oscars “a sideshow” and criticizing studio executives as profit-driven.
Jim retired in 1994 and spent his later years raising horses and producing moonshine on his Arizona ranch, inspired by his father’s films.
He was married three times and is survived by his wife Pamela K. Smith, his children Will, Brian, Caitlin Ann, and Ana, his stepdaughter, siblings, and several grandchildren.