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Gordon Mitchell‌

Gender

Male

Birthday

calendar1923-07-29

Popularity

star3.6

Gordon Mitchell

Denver, Colorado, USA

Gordon Mitchell

Denver, Colorado, USA

Gender

Male

Birthday

calendar1923-07-29

Popularity

star3.6

Biography

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.

Movie Credits

Frankenstein's Castle of Freaks

Frankenstein's Castle of Freaks‌
star3.9
calendar 1974

Frankenstein '80

Frankenstein '80‌
star4.6
calendar 1972

Reflections in a Golden Eye

Reflections in a Golden Eye‌
star6.5
calendar 1967

The Doctor Prefers Sailors

The Doctor Prefers Sailors‌
star4.9
calendar 1981

Finders Killers

Finders Killers‌
star4.0
calendar 1971

Fever of 40!

Fever of 40!‌
star0.0
calendar 1980

The Fighting Fists of Shanghai Joe

The Fighting Fists of Shanghai Joe‌
star4.8
calendar 1973

The Giant of Metropolis

The Giant of Metropolis‌
star4.6
calendar 1961

Beyond the Law

Beyond the Law‌
star5.5
calendar 1968

Cross of the Seven Jewels

Cross of the Seven Jewels‌
star1.9
calendar 1987

Endgame

Endgame‌
star4.9
calendar 1983

The Mines of Kilimanjaro

The Mines of Kilimanjaro‌
star2.0
calendar 1986

Umbrella Coup

Umbrella Coup‌
star6.9
calendar 1980

Fists, Dollars and Spinach

Fists, Dollars and Spinach‌
star0.0
calendar 1978

Treasure of the Lost Desert

Treasure of the Lost Desert‌
star0.0
calendar 1971

I Am Sartana Your Angel of Death

I Am Sartana Your Angel of Death‌
star6.3
calendar 1969

The Crazy Westerners

The Crazy Westerners‌
star5.7
calendar 1967

She

She‌
star5.0
calendar 1984

Cobra Mission

Cobra Mission‌
star4.8
calendar 1986

Star Pilot

Star Pilot‌
star4.5
calendar 1966

The Fury of Achilles

The Fury of Achilles‌
star5.2
calendar 1962

The Yellow Panther

The Yellow Panther‌
star6.1
calendar 1982

Ali Baba and the Seven Saracens

Ali Baba and the Seven Saracens‌
star5.0
calendar 1964

Special Squad Shoots on Sight

Special Squad Shoots on Sight‌
star4.5
calendar 1976

The Big Bust-Out

The Big Bust-Out‌
star4.4
calendar 1972

Atlas Against the Cyclops

Atlas Against the Cyclops‌
star6.1
calendar 1961

White Fire

White Fire‌
star4.5
calendar 1984

Three Bullets for Ringo

Three Bullets for Ringo‌
star6.2
calendar 1966

Dead for a Dollar

Dead for a Dollar‌
star7.0
calendar 1968

SFX Retaliator

SFX Retaliator‌
star3.7
calendar 1988

Angel's Leap

Angel's Leap‌
star5.4
calendar 1971

Savage Guns

Savage Guns‌
star4.2
calendar 1971

Adios Compañeros

Adios Compañeros‌
star5.7
calendar 1971

Day of Judgment

Day of Judgment‌
star4.5
calendar 1971

Coffin Full of Dollars

Coffin Full of Dollars‌
star5.3
calendar 1971

My Name Is Texas Bill

My Name Is Texas Bill‌
star0.0
calendar 1972

His Name Was Pot, but They Called Him Allegria

His Name Was Pot, but They Called Him Allegria‌
star6.0
calendar 1971

Io non spezzo... rompo

Io non spezzo... rompo‌
star3.9
calendar 1971

John the Bastard

John the Bastard‌
star6.5
calendar 1967

Born to Kill

Born to Kill‌
star9.0
calendar 1967

A Gunman Called Dakota

A Gunman Called Dakota‌
star0.0
calendar 1972

Let's Go And Kill Sartana

Let's Go And Kill Sartana‌
star0.0
calendar 1971

Once Upon a Time in the Wild, Wild West

Once Upon a Time in the Wild, Wild West‌
star7.0
calendar 1973

Thompson 1880

Thompson 1880‌
star4.7
calendar 1966

Django and Sartana Are Coming... It's the End

Django and Sartana Are Coming... It's the End‌
star4.5
calendar 1970

Seven Times Seven

Seven Times Seven‌
star6.9
calendar 1968

Blood Delirium

Blood Delirium‌
star4.6
calendar 1988

Go Away! Trinity Has Arrived in Eldorado

Go Away! Trinity Has Arrived in Eldorado‌
star6.0
calendar 1972

Anything for a Friend

Anything for a Friend‌
star5.0
calendar 1973

The Tiger From the River Kwai

The Tiger From the River Kwai‌
star5.5
calendar 1975

White Fang and the Kid

White Fang and the Kid‌
star6.0
calendar 1978

Vulcan, Son of Giove

Vulcan, Son of Giove‌
star3.7
calendar 1962

From the Archives of the Criminal Police

From the Archives of the Criminal Police‌
star4.0
calendar 1973

Seven Savage Men

Seven Savage Men‌
star0.0
calendar 1975

His Colt, Himself, His Revenge

His Colt, Himself, His Revenge‌
star10.0
calendar 1973

Down with Your Hands... You Scum!

Down with Your Hands... You Scum!‌
star0.0
calendar 1971

Dead Men Don't Make Shadows

Dead Men Don't Make Shadows‌
star4.2
calendar 1970

Achtung! The Desert Tigers

Achtung! The Desert Tigers‌
star4.1
calendar 1977

Strategy for a Mission of Death

Strategy for a Mission of Death‌
star2.8
calendar 1979

Kerim, Son of the Sheik

Kerim, Son of the Sheik‌
star5.0
calendar 1962

Caesar Against the Pirates

Caesar Against the Pirates‌
star6.0
calendar 1962

The Household

The Household‌
star6.2
calendar 1974

Anasının Gözü

Anasının Gözü‌
star0.0
calendar 1975

The Man with the Golden Arm

The Man with the Golden Arm‌
star7.1
calendar 1955

Phenomenal and the Treasure of Tutankamen

Phenomenal and the Treasure of Tutankamen‌
star3.8
calendar 1968

Rush

Rush‌
star4.4
calendar 1983

Death on the Run

Death on the Run‌
star6.2
calendar 1967

Little Godfather from Hong Kong

Little Godfather from Hong Kong‌
star7.0
calendar 1974

Fellini Satyricon

Fellini Satyricon‌
star6.7
calendar 1969

Kill or Be Killed

Kill or Be Killed‌
star3.0
calendar 1966

Invasion 1700

Invasion 1700‌
star5.8
calendar 1962

Overdose

Overdose‌
star0.0
calendar 1989

The Killer Likes Candy

The Killer Likes Candy‌
star5.0
calendar 1968

Radhapura – Endstation der Verdammten

Radhapura – Endstation der Verdammten‌
star10.0
calendar 1968

Lady Morgan's Vengeance

Lady Morgan's Vengeance‌
star5.8
calendar 1965

Four for All

Four for All‌
star6.0
calendar 1975

The Arizona Kid

The Arizona Kid‌
star3.0
calendar 1970

Tre nel mille

Tre nel mille‌
star6.0
calendar 1971

Diamond Connection

Diamond Connection‌
star2.5
calendar 1982

Two .38 Magnums for a City of Carrion

Two .38 Magnums for a City of Carrion‌
star0.0
calendar 1975

The Iron Hand of the Mafia

The Iron Hand of the Mafia‌
star6.8
calendar 1980

Seven Slaves Against the World

Seven Slaves Against the World‌
star9.0
calendar 1964

The Revenge of the Gladiators

The Revenge of the Gladiators‌
star0.0
calendar 1964

Tutto Totò - Totò Ciak

Tutto Totò - Totò Ciak‌
star5.5
calendar 1967

Erik the Viking

Erik the Viking‌
star6.8
calendar 1965

The Centurion

The Centurion‌
star4.0
calendar 1961

The Stone Forest

The Stone Forest‌
star0.0
calendar 1965

Operation Orient

Operation Orient‌
star1.0
calendar 1978

Bikini Drive-In

Bikini Drive-In‌
star5.3
calendar 1995

Brennus, Enemy of Rome

Brennus, Enemy of Rome‌
star3.0
calendar 1963

Spartacus

Spartacus‌
star7.6
calendar 1960

The Young Lions

The Young Lions‌
star6.8
calendar 1958

My Darling Slave

My Darling Slave‌
star4.8
calendar 1973

Rio Bravo

Rio Bravo‌
star7.8
calendar 1959

The Wings of War

The Wings of War‌
star3.0
calendar 1969

Hercules and the Princess of Troy

Hercules and the Princess of Troy‌
star6.3
calendar 1965

Commando Invasion

Commando Invasion‌
star6.2
calendar 1987

The Spirit of St. Louis

The Spirit of St. Louis‌
star6.6
calendar 1957

The Alien Within

The Alien Within‌
star0.0
calendar 1990

The Skin Under the Claws

The Skin Under the Claws‌
star3.9
calendar 1975

Curse of the Red Butterfly

Curse of the Red Butterfly‌
star0.0
calendar 1982

Emmanuelle: Queen of Sados

Emmanuelle: Queen of Sados‌
star6.1
calendar 1980

The French Sex Murders

The French Sex Murders‌
star4.9
calendar 1972

Cheers... Cyanide!

Cheers... Cyanide!‌
star0.0
calendar 1968

Around the World in Eighty Days

Around the World in Eighty Days‌
star6.6
calendar 1956

All on the Red

All on the Red‌
star0.0
calendar 1968

A Very Special Woman

A Very Special Woman‌
star4.7
calendar 1979

Kopfschuß

Kopfschuß‌
star1.0
calendar 1981

Three Men on Fire

Three Men on Fire‌
star6.0
calendar 1986

An Enraged New World

An Enraged New World‌
star6.0
calendar 2002

Malevolence

Malevolence‌
star3.8
calendar 2004

Kino kolossal - Herkules, Maciste & Co

Kino kolossal - Herkules, Maciste & Co‌
star0.0
calendar 2000

Se tutto va bene siamo rovinati

Se tutto va bene siamo rovinati‌
star4.0
calendar 1983

The Sewer Rats

The Sewer Rats‌
star4.0
calendar 1974

Natascha - Todesgrüsse aus Moskau

Natascha - Todesgrüsse aus Moskau‌
star5.0
calendar 1977

Santa Lucia

Santa Lucia‌
star6.0
calendar 1979

Oil

Oil‌
star5.1
calendar 1977

Trois filles dans le vent

Trois filles dans le vent‌
star0.0
calendar 1981

Lisa with the Blue Eyes

Lisa with the Blue Eyes‌
star4.6
calendar 1969

Porno erotico western

Porno erotico western‌
star5.5
calendar 1979

Slaughter Day

Slaughter Day‌
star0.0
calendar 1973

Secret Force

Secret Force‌
star4.0
calendar 1983

Dr. Jekyll Likes Them Hot

Dr. Jekyll Likes Them Hot‌
star5.0
calendar 1979

I'll Die for Vengeance

I'll Die for Vengeance‌
star3.7
calendar 1968

Cry of Death

Cry of Death‌
star1.0
calendar 1968

È mezzanotte... butta giù il cadavere

È mezzanotte... butta giù il cadavere‌
star0.0
calendar 1966

The Slayers

The Slayers‌
star0.0
calendar 1977

The Man from Chicago

The Man from Chicago‌
star0.0
calendar 1975

Ora X Pattuglia Suicida

Ora X Pattuglia Suicida‌
star0.0
calendar 1969

Holocaust 2

Holocaust 2‌
star3.5
calendar 1980

L'Estate

L'Estate‌
star6.5
calendar 1966

Tv Credits

I Spy

I Spy‌
star6.5
calendar 1965

The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone‌
star8.4
calendar 1959

I promessi sposi

I promessi sposi‌
star6.5
calendar 1989

Marco Polo

Marco Polo‌
star6.8
calendar 1982