Net Worth Ranker
What Is Robert Mitchum’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on July 1, 1997, Robert Mitchum, the iconic American actor, had a net worth estimated at $5 million. Factoring in inflation, this amount is equivalent to approximately $10 million in today’s dollars, representing the culmination of a career spanning several decades in film and television. Mitchum’s earnings were derived primarily from his acting roles, complemented by income from music recordings and related ventures.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Robert Charles Durman Mitchum was born on August 6, 1917, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Tragedy struck early in his life when his father, James Mitchum, a railroad employee, died in a rail yard accident in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1919, when Robert was just two years old. His mother, Ann Gunderson, a Norwegian native, later worked as a linotype operator for the Bridgeport Post daily newspaper after remarrying Hugh Morris. In 1926, Ann sent Robert and his brother to live with her parents in Delaware. Mitchum attended Felton High School but was eventually expelled. Later, he attended Haaren High School in Manhattan but was also expelled. At 14, he left home, traveling by freight car and taking odd jobs. In 1933, after being arrested as a vagrant in Georgia, he returned to his family in Delaware.
Mitchum’s early life involved a transient existence, marked by various jobs and travels across the United States. He participated in boxing matches to earn money. He settled in Long Beach, California, where his sister Julie, an actress, influenced his interest in theater. In 1937, he joined the Players Guild theater group and debuted on stage that summer, also writing songs for cabaret shows. Before his acting career fully took off, Robert Mitchum worked as a sheet metal worker for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation after his marriage to Dorothy Spence in 1940. This experience, though short-lived, provided a foundation before he ventured into the film industry.
Film Career: Milestones and Earnings
In 1942, Robert Mitchum secured a minor role in the Western film “Border Patrol,” marking the official start of his Hollywood journey. By 1943, he had appeared in 18 additional films, including notable appearances alongside Mickey Rooney in “The Human Comedy” and with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in “The Dancing Masters.” His career trajectory gained momentum, leading to a seven-year contract with RKO Radio Pictures in 1944, offering him a weekly salary of $1,500.
A significant milestone arrived in 1945 when Mitchum received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Captain Bill Walker in “The Story of G.I. Joe.” In 1946, he starred in “Till the End of Time,” a box office success, as well as the future cult classic “The Locket.” Following the renewal of his RKO contract, with his salary doubled, he starred in “Out of the Past” (1947), recognized as one of the best film noirs, and “Crossfire” (1947), which became RKO’s highest-grossing film of the year.
During the 1950s, Robert Mitchum continued to solidify his status as a leading man. In 1953, he starred in “Angel Face,” and in 1954, he appeared alongside Marilyn Monroe in the western musical “River of No Return.” After the expiration of his contract with RKO, Mitchum ventured into diverse roles, including his performance as Preacher Harry Powell in the 1955 film noir thriller “The Night of the Hunter,” a role often cited as one of the most impressive of his career. In 1957, he played a United States Marine in “Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison.” In 1958, he starred in and wrote the drama-crime “Thunder Road,” about a bootleg moonshine business, which became a cult classic.
The 1960s and 1970s saw Robert Mitchum taking on a variety of roles, showcasing his versatility. He played Paddy Carmody in the 1960 comedy-drama “The Sundowners” and the antagonist Max Cady in the 1962 psychological thriller “Cape Fear.” In 1966, he co-starred with John Wayne in “El Dorado,” and in 1970, he appeared in the romantic drama “Ryan’s Daughter.” In 1973, Mitchum portrayed Eddie Coyle in the neo-noir crime film “The Friends of Eddie Coyle.” He also played private detective Philip Marlowe in “Farewell, My Lovely” (1975). His final film role was in the Norwegian movie “Pakten” in 1995.
Television and Music Ventures
In addition to his extensive film career, Robert Mitchum ventured into television, notably playing Captain Victor Henry in the miniseries “The Winds of War” (1983) and its sequel “War and Remembrance” (1988). His last television role was in the 1997 biographical TV movie “James Dean: Race with Destiny.”
Robert Mitchum also explored his musical talents, releasing two albums: “Calypso-is like so…” in 1957 and “That Man Robert Mitchum…Sings” in 1967. While specific sales figures and royalties from these albums are not readily available, these ventures contributed to his overall income and showcased his artistic range beyond acting.
Real Estate and Personal Assets
Specific details about Robert Mitchum’s real estate holdings and other personal assets are not widely documented in publicly accessible records. However, it is known that he owned a home in Santa Barbara, California, where he passed away in 1997. The value of this property at the time, along with any other real estate investments, would have contributed to his overall net worth.
Awards, Accolades, and Recognition
Robert Mitchum received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1984, marking his lasting impact on the film industry. In 1991, he was chosen to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures but declined the honor. In 1992, he received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award. In 2013, he was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers. He is listed as number 23 on the American Film Institute’s list of the greatest male stars of classic American cinema.
Personal Life and Legacy
Robert Mitchum married Dorothy Clements Spence on March 16, 1940. They met at a swimming hole in Delaware when he was 16 and she was 14. They remained together until his death and had three children: James, Christopher Mitchum, and Petrine. On September 1, 1948, Mitchum was arrested for possession of marijuana and imprisoned for fifty days. The conviction was later overturned after evidence showed he had been set up. In 1984, Mitchum entered the Betty Ford Clinic in Palm Springs, California, to be treated for alcoholism. A lifelong smoker, Robert Mitchum died on July 1, 1997, at his home in Santa Barbara, California, due to complications from lung cancer and emphysema. He was cremated, and his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.
