Gordon Mitchell
Known For: Acting
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: July 29, 1923
Day of Death: September 20, 2003 (80 years old)
Place of Birth: Denver, Colorado, USA
Gordon Mitchell was born "Charles Pendleton" in Colorado and served his country in both World War II and the Korean War (during which he was briefly a POW). Afterward he worked as a teacher in inner city schools in California and got heavily involved in personal fitness and bodybuilding. He became friends with Joe Gold (of Gold's Gym), joining Mae West's comedy act as one of her "strongmen" who would carry her on and off the stage. During this time he also found himself in demand as an extra in several Hollywood films including "Lil Abner", "The Enemy Below", and "The Ten Commandments" (in which he and Joe Gold bring Moses to Ramsey's court in chains). When the Peplum craze began in Italy and his fellow Muscle Beach star Steve Reeves became a huge star. Gordon (along with Reg Park, Mark Forrest, Brad Harris, Mickey Hargitay, and Richard Harrison) similarly jumped on the bandwagon and headed to Italy to find stardom and financially greener pastures. Thanks to his unconventional appearance (small, sharp eyes and craggy face) and enthusiasm for his work, Mitchell found himself one of the most in-demand performers in Italy's Sword & Sandal craze of the early 60's, working with several top directors including Marino Girolami, Alberto De Martino, and Michele Lupo. Unlike most of his peers who left Italy once the genre ran its course, Mitchell stayed on to play villains in numerous Spaghetti Westerns, Giallos, War Films, and Science Fiction movies. He also had a small but key role in the Elizabeth Taylor / Marlon Brandon vehicle "Reflections in a Golden Eye" (1967) during this time though perhaps his most prestigious role would be the rogue who helps the two protagonists kidnap the noble in Fellini's "Satyricon" (1969). Mitchell used his extra cash to buy and build his own movie studio (Cave Studios) which he single-handedly constructed outside of Rome. It went largely unused except by ultra-low budget director Demofilo Fidani who would often cast Mitchell as well. In the late 1980's when the Italian genre film industry had basically self-destructed, unable to compete with American films even for video rentals, Mitchell packed his bags and moved back to California. Once home, he re-teamed with old friend Joe Gold to manage World Gym, at which Mitchell acted as COO and lived at the top floor of its headquarters in Marina Del Rey. Continuing for years to act in low budget films purely for the fun of it, Mitchell passed away in his sleep at age 80 in 2003. Having just won the California recall election the day prior, Arnold Schwarzenegger took time out of his busy schedule to pay his respects at Mitchell's Memorial Service at the World Gym Headquarters along with many other bodybuilders who credit Mitchell with getting them into their careers.
2004
2002
2000
1995
1990
1989
1988
1987
1986
1984
1983
1982
1981
1980
1979
1978
1977
1976
1975
1974
1973
1972
1971
Actor Chris Forest
Finders Killers
Actor
Treasure of the Lost Desert
Actor Henry Di Fusco
Angel's Leap
Actor Deputy
Day of Judgment
Actor Gordon Mitchell
Savage Guns
Actor Ironhead
Adios Compañeros
Actor John Hamilton
Coffin Full of Dollars
Actor Ray Potter
His Name Was Pot, but They Called Him Allegria
Actor Joe il Rosso
Io non spezzo... rompo
Actor Greg "The Crazy Person"
Let's Go And Kill Sartana
Actor Buck/Butch Bradley
Down with Your Hands... You Scum!
Actor
Tre nel mille
1970
1969
1968
Actor Burton
Beyond the Law
Actor Roy Fulton
Dead for a Dollar
Actor Big Ben
Seven Times Seven
Actor Gregory Falco
Phenomenal and the Treasure of Tutankamen
Actor Toni
The Killer Likes Candy
Actor Alfredo
Radhapura – Endstation der Verdammten
Actor Al Rubino
Cheers... Cyanide!
Actor Erikson
All on the Red
Actor Clayton
I'll Die for Vengeance
Actor Donkey / Morgan Pitt
Cry of Death
