Gordon Mitchell was an American actor who is best known for his roles in peplum films like “Hercules,” “Spartacus,” and “Atlas Against the Cyclops.” Known for his muscular build and imposing presence, he gained popularity in the Italian film industry during the 1960s.
Personal and Family Life
Born as Charles Allen Pendleton on July 29, 1923, in Denver, Colorado, Gordon was brought up in Inglewood, California. He served in World War II and was a prisoner of war during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he attended USC and became a high school teacher and guidance counselor, while also pursuing his passion for fitness and bodybuilding.
Career
Mitchell began his career in Hollywood as a bodybuilder and performer in Mae West’s revue. He later gained fame in Italy after the success of Steve Reeves’s “Hercules,” where he starred in various sword-and-sandal films. His roles as both hero and villain in numerous films helped him amass a strong fan base before transitioning to spaghetti westerns and giallo mysteries throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Death and Legacy
Gordon Mitchell passed away from a heart attack on September 20, 2003, in Marina del Rey, California, at the age of 80. His legacy lives on through his extensive body of work, particularly in the genre of peplum films, where he left an indelible mark on the cinema of that era.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Frankenstein ’80 | 1972-12-12 | Dr. Otto Frankenstein |
| Terror! Il castello delle donne maledette | 1974-02-19 | Igor |
| Reflections in a Golden Eye | 1967-10-13 | Stables Sergeant |
| Il gigante di Metropolis | 1961-10-25 | Obro |
| Vulcano, figlio di Giove | 1962-03-16 | Pluto |
| Simbad contro i sette saraceni | 1964-12-18 | Omar |
| Marco Polo | 1982-12-05 | Capitano Arnolfo |
| The Twilight Zone | 1959-10-02 | Soldier |