Occupation Actress Years active 1912–1952 | Name Rhea Mitchell Role Film actress | |
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Movies The Devil's Claim, The Goat, The Money Corral Similar People William S Hart, Donald Crisp, Frank Capra, Victor Schertzinger | ||
Rhea Mitchell (December 10, 1890 – September 16, 1957) was an American film actress and screenwriter. She began her career during the silent film era, and went on to appear in over 100 films. In her early career, she earned the name of "the little stunt girl" because of her willingness to attempt thrilling scenes in motion pictures. Mitchell's first major role was in On the Night Stage (1915), followed by a part in The Diamond from the Sky, a serial film starring Lottie Pickford.
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After the advent of sound pictures, Mitchell continued to work in film, though often appearing uncredited, before retiring in 1952. In 1957, Mitchell was murdered by a tenant in an apartment building she owned in Los Angeles, California. She is interred at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Early life
Mitchell was born on December 10, 1890 in Portland, Oregon, to Lillie and Willis N. Mitchell. Mitchell was raised in Portland, and was an only child. At age seventeen, Mitchell was given her first role in a local theater production.
Career
Mitchell began her career in 1909 playing in the Baker Theater Stock Company in her hometown of Portland. Between 1911 and 1913, Mitchell lived in Spokane and Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia, appearing in theatrical productions, before settling in San Francisco. In San Francisco, she was a part of the Orpheum Circuit and at the Alcazar Theater. Mitchell made her film debut in 1912 with the New York Motion Picture Corporation and would eventually appear in over 100 films during her career. She appeared a number of times with Western star William S. Hart playing a leading role in those films. In 1916 she played in The Brink with Forrest Winant and Arthur Maude.
After 1917, her roles became smaller and she appeared in a handful of films through the mid-30s and in several bit parts during the early 1950s which often went uncredited. In 1936, she appeared in an uncredited part in San Francisco, starring Clark Gable, and directed by W. S. Van Dyke, who had directed Mitchell in The Hawk's Trail in 1916. In addition to her acting work, Mitchell also worked as a screenwriter.
Death
After her retirement from films, Mitchell managed a large apartment house in Los Angeles. While managing a second apartment in 1957, the La Brea District Apartments, a disgruntled tenant named Sonnie Hartford, Jr., strangled her with the cord of her blue silk dressing gown. An article in the Press-Telegram read in part,
"A search still was being made by police for a 'baldish, middleaged man' who reportedly kept company recently with the never-married Miss Mitchell. Seattle police were asked to question Miss Mitchell's only known relative, an aunt, Mrs. John Benson. Police said there was no sign of a struggle or criminal attack. Her body was discovered by the houseboy. The actress, known as Ginger to her friends, had played opposite such silent film stars as William S. Hart, Tom Mix, King Baggot and Bert Lytell.... She had appeared in film bit roles as recently as 1951."
Mitchell is interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles.