Hollywood icon Jim Mitchum has passed away at 84 years old, as confirmed by reports. The son of the renowned actor Robert Mitchum, Jim breathed his last on September 20 at his residence in Skull Valley, Arizona after battling a prolonged illness, according to a spokesperson for the family. Alongside him in his final moments were his wife Pamela and their beloved poodle.
Survived by his third spouse Pamela K. Smith, Jim leaves behind a legacy through his children: Will, Brian, Ana, and Caitlin Ann. Following in the illustrious footsteps of his father, an Oscar nominee, Jim carved his own path in the entertainment industry. His breakthrough came in the 1958 fan-favorite Thunder Road, a role initially intended for Elvis Presley.
Throughout his career, Jim starred in more than 30 films, including notable works like In Harm’s Way (1965) alongside Kirk Douglas and John Wayne, and Ambush Bay (1966) with Mickey Rooney and Hugh O’Brian. Born in Los Angeles to Robert Mitchum and Dorothy Spence Mitchum, Jim made his cinematic debut at the tender age of eight in the Raoul Walsh Western, Colorado Territory.
While his mother had hoped he would steer clear of the spotlight, Jim ventured into Hollywood at 16, portraying his father’s on-screen sibling in Thunder Road. Beyond his acting endeavors, Jim developed a genuine interest in cars, even working on Elvis Presley’s hot rods for a period, forging a lasting friendship with the music legend. A brief stint in music followed, culminating in the release of the single Lonely Birthday in 1961, though it failed to make a mark.
Returning to the silver screen, Jim graced numerous films and TV series during the ’60s and ’70s. Notably, he appeared in the 1975 movie Moonrunners, which served as the inspiration for the iconic TV show The Dukes of Hazzard. In 1994, Jim bid adieu to acting, opting to focus on horse breeding at his Arizona ranch. Additionally, he launched a line of premium moonshine paying homage to his father’s cinematic works Thunder Road and Out of the Past.
Married thrice in his lifetime, Jim first tied the knot with actress Wende Wagner in 1968, their union lasting a decade before ending in divorce. Subsequently, he wed Vivian Ferrand in 1985, parting ways in 1995. Later on, Jim found love with Arizona English professor Pamela K. Smith, initially bonding as friends before blossoming into a romantic relationship, culminating in their marriage in 2025.
Jim’s memory lives on through his surviving relatives, including 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 an extensive extended family, encompassing in-laws, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.
