Jim Mitchum dead: Thunder Road star with iconic dad dies after long illness

Hollywood star Jim Mitchum has died at the age of 84, it has been announced.

Jim, who was the son of legendary actor Robert Mitchum, died on September 20 at his ranch in Skull Valley, Arizona following a long illness, a family spokesperson announced. Jim's wife Pamela and their poodle were said to be by his side.

He is survived by his third wife Pamela K. Smith, and children Will, Brian, Ana and Caitlin Ann.

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The actor followed in the footsteps of his legendary father, who was nominated for an Oscar, but paved his own career in Hollywood. His breakout role in 1958 cult classic Thunder Road was one of his most notable. The role was originally written for Elvis Presley.

He went on to appear in over 30 films during his career including In Harm's Way (1965), which starred Kirk Douglas and John Wayne, and Ambush Bay (1966), starring Mickey Rooney and Hugh O'Brian.

Jim was born in Los Angeles to actor Robert Mitchum and Dorothy Spence Mitchum. He made his film debut at the age of eight in the Raoul Walsh Western Colorado Territory. Jim's mother wished for him to avoid Hollywood, but he went into the industry at age 16, being cast as his actor dad as Robert’s younger brother in Thunder Road.

Following the role, which saw him play a mechanic, Jim – sometimes credited as James Mitchum – took a real-life interest in cars and worked for a stint on Elvis Preslet's hot rods, where the pair became friends. Jim then attempted a brief singing career, and released the 1961 single Lonely Birthday, but the song was not a hit.

Jim then turned back to acting and appeared in several films and television series throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Mitchum also appeared in the 1975 movie Moonrunners, which inspired the TV series The Dukes of Hazard.

In 1994, Jim decided to retire from acting and turned his hand to breeding horses at his ranch in Arizona. He also developed a line of premium moonshine, in homage to his father's movies Thunder Road and Out of the Past.

He was married three times throughout his life. His first marriage was to actress Wende Wagner in 1968, the pair were married for 10 years before they divorced. He then married Vivian Ferrand in 1985 before they divorced in 1995.

Jim went on to meet Arizona English professor Pamela K. Smith. The pair began as friends before their relationship became romantic. The couple wed in 2025.

The late actor is survived by brother Christoper 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 a large extended family including in-laws, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.

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