Robert Mitchum

Nacimiento
6 de agosto de 1917 · Bridgeport, Connecticut, Estados Unidos
Defunción
1 de julio de 1997 · Santa Bárbara, California, Estados Unidos (cáncer de pulmón y enfisema pulmonar)
Nombre de nacimiento
Robert Charles Duran Mitchum
Alias
- Mitch
- Old Rumple Eyes
- Bob
Altura
1.84 m

On and off-screen, he was known for his facade of cool, sleepy-eyed indifference
Deep, commanding, yet lively voice
Dimpled chin
Often played loners and drifters
Known for almost never rehearsing his lines

He claimed his famous eyes were the result of a combination of injuries from his boxing days and chronic insomnia, which he suffered from throughout his life.
Though respectful of Robert De Niro's talent, Mitchum was amused by the young Method actor's habit of remaining in character all day as film studio chief Monroe Stahr during the filming of El último magnate (1976). Mitchum gave De Niro the nickname "Kid Monroe", and made many jokes about him with the older actors on the set like Ray Milland and Dana Andrews.
While at RKO Radio Pictures, Mitchum became the first male movie star to refuse to shave his chest for shirtless roles. In order to avoid that, he allowed himself to develop a pot belly to avoid having to take his shirt off at all.
Turned down the role that eventually went to Tony Curtis in Fuga en cadenas (1958). Mitchum, a real-life veteran of a Southern chain gang, did not believe the premise that a black man and a white man would be chained together and said that such a thing would never happen in the South. Over the years, this reason was corrupted to the point where many people now believe Mitchum turned down the role because he did not want to be chained to a black man, an absolute falsehood. Curtis repeated the inaccurate story in his autobiography, but later recanted after Mitchum's real reason was explained to him.
He had a photographic memory. He was able to glance at a page and memorize all his lines instantly and he rarely rehearsed as a result.

The only difference between me and my fellow actors is that I've spent more time in jail.
I gave up being serious about making pictures around the time I made a film with Greer Garson and she took a hundred and twenty-five takes to say no.
I started out to be a sex fiend but couldn't pass the physical.
Movies bore me; especially my own.
I've still got the same attitude I had when I started. I haven't changed anything but my underwear.