Johnny Mitchell was an American actor who is best known for Pillow to Post, Mr. Skeffington, and Laugh Your Blues Away. He was born on December 13, 1918, in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA, and passed away on January 19, 1951, in New York City, New York, USA.
Personal and Family Life
Johnny was born Douglas N. Lamy. He worked under different names during his career, including Douglass Newland and Douglass Drake, as he signed contracts with various studios. He adopted the name Johnny Mitchell while working with Warner Bros. for the role he played in Mr. Skeffington.
Career Overview
Johnny began his acting career in the early 1940s, featuring in numerous films. He gained recognition as a contract player for MGM, Columbia, and Warner Bros. His work included several notable films with various roles, culminating in a brief but impactful career before he stopped acting in front of the cameras in late 1944.
Death and Legacy
Tragically, Johnny Mitchell’s life ended on January 19, 1951, due to suicide by gunshot in New York City. His untimely death raised awareness about mental health issues within the acting industry. Though his career was short-lived, he is remembered for his performances in the films of his time.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Pillow to Post | 1945-06-09 | Earl ‘Slim’ Clark |
| There’s Something About a Soldier | 1943-11-30 | Lt. Burroughs |
| The Vanishing Virginian | 1942-02-01 | James Weldon ‘Shirley (as Douglass Newland) |
| Cinderella Jones | 1946-03-09 | Soldier |
| Law of the Northwest | 1943-05-26 | Paul Darcy (as Douglas Drake) |
| Robin Hood of the Range | 1943-07-28 | Ned Harding (as Douglass Drake) |
| Mr. Skeffington | 1944-05-25 | Johnny Mitchell |
| Good Luck, Mr. Yates | 1943-06-29 | Military Policeman Keeney |
| Redhead from Manhattan | 1943-05-06 | Marty Britt |
| Married Bachelor | 1941-10-16 | Devlin (as Douglass Newland) (uncredited) |
| Sunday Punch | 1942-05-08 | ‘Baby’ Fitzroy (as Douglass Newland) |
| Laugh Your Blues Away | 1942-11-12 | Jimmy Westerly (as Douglas Drake) |
| Hollywood Canteen | 1944-12-15 | Busboy (uncredited) |
| Rio Rita | 1942-03-11 | Control Man (uncredited) |
| Johnny Eager | 1941-12-09 | Policeman (uncredited) |
| Two-Faced Woman | 1941-12-31 | Minor Role (uncredited) |