Gordon Mitchell
Acting
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.
Reflections in a Golden Eye
as Stables Sergeant
Age 44 (now 80)
I Am Sartana Your Angel of Death
as Degueyo
Age 46 (now 80)
The Fighting Fists of Shanghai Joe
as Burying Sam
Age 50 (now 80)
Kino kolossal - Herkules, Maciste & Co
as Self
Age 76 (now 80)
If All Goes Well We Are Ruined
as Jack Volpetti
Age 60 (now 80)
Natascha - Todesgrüsse aus Moskau
as Gooming
Age 53 (now 80)
Achtung! The Desert Tigers
as Kommandant von Stolzen
Age 53 (now 80)
Two .38 Magnums for a City of Carrion
as Renato Proietti
Age 52 (now 80)
The Fighting Fists of Shanghai Joe
as Burying Sam
Age 50 (now 80)
From the Archives of the Criminal Police
as Peter Wilcox
Age 50 (now 80)
Once Upon a Time in the Wild, Wild West
as Mike
Age 50 (now 80)
Go Away! Trinity Has Arrived in Eldorado
as Jonathan Duke
Age 49 (now 80)
The Crucified Girls of San Ramon
as El Kadir
Age 48 (now 80)
His Name Was Pot, but They Called Him Allegria
as Ray Potter
Age 48 (now 80)
Let's Go And Kill Sartana
as Greg "The Crazy Person"
Age 48 (now 80)
Down with Your Hands... You Scum!
as Buck/Butch Bradley
Age 48 (now 80)
Django and Sartana Are Coming... It's the End
as Black Burt Keller / Burt Kelly
Age 47 (now 80)
I Am Sartana Your Angel of Death
as Degueyo
Age 46 (now 80)
Radhapura – Endstation der Verdammten
as Alfredo
Age 44 (now 80)
Fenomenal and the Treasure of Tutankamen
as Gregory Falco
Age 44 (now 80)
Reflections in a Golden Eye
as Stables Sergeant
Age 44 (now 80)
È mezzanotte... butta giù il cadavere
as Van Himst
Age 43 (now 80)
Hercules and the Princess of Troy
as Pirate Captain
Age 41 (now 80)
Around the World in 80 Days
as Extra (uncredited)
Age 33 (now 80)
Gathering insights...
Also Known As
Charles Allen Pendleton, Charles Pendleton, Чарльз Аллен Пенделтон
IMDB
nm0593369