Rhea Mitchell was an American actress best known for her roles in “The Three Musketeers,” “The Devil’s Claim,” and “Honor’s Cross.” She had a career that spanned several decades, with many appearances in early films and television.
Personal and Family Life
Rhea Ione Mitchell was born on December 10, 1890, in Portland, Oregon. She began her acting career in 1909, working in theater before transitioning to film. Not much is known about her family life, but her nickname was Ginger, which she was often recognized by throughout her career.
Career Highlights
Mitchell started appearing in films alongside Western star William S. Hart, where she often played leading roles. One of her notable projects was “Diamond from the Sky” in 1916, which became infamous for being the shortest serial in history. After a string of successful projects in her early career, she took on smaller roles through the 1930s and 50s, eventually managing an apartment building in Los Angeles during her retirement.
Death and Legacy
Rhea Mitchell passed away on September 16, 1957, in Los Angeles, California, under tragic circumstances, as she was murdered by a disgruntled houseboy in her apartment. Despite her untimely death, her contributions to early cinema and her recognizable performances have left a lasting impression on film history.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Devil’s Claim | 1920-05-02 | Virginia Crosby |
| On the Night Stage | 1915-04-15 | Belle Shields |
| The Ship That Died | 1938-02-19 | Passenger on Mary Celeste |
| I Take This Woman | 1940-02-02 | Decker’s Secretary (uncredited) |
| The Three Musketeers | 1916-02-06 | Constance Bonacieux |
| Whither Thou Goest | 1917-06-05 | Maizie |
| Tools of Providence | 1915-06-06 | Daisy Austin |
| The Hoodlum Saint | 1946-04-04 | Reporter (uncredited) |
| Social Ambition | 1918-05-01 | Rose |
| Honor’s Cross | 1918-05-01 | Jane Cabot |
| The Scoffer | 1920-09-01 | Alice Porn |
| The Gilded Youth | 1917-01-01 | Mary |
| The Sleeping Lion | 1919-06-23 | Kate Billings |
| The Devil | 1915-04-01 | Milli |
| In the Sage Brush Country | 1914-01-01 | Edit Wilding |
| The Money Corral | 1919-04-20 | Janet Collins |
| Dial 1119 | 1950-11-03 | |
| Stars in My Crown | 1950-05-11 | Mrs. Backett (uncredited) |
| A Ridin’ Romeo | 1921-05-22 | Mabel Brentwood |
| The Scourge of the Desert | 1915-01-06 | Ellen Holt |
| Mr. ‘Silent’ Haskins | 1915-02-19 | Priscilla Miller |
| A Lion of the Hills | 1918-05-01 | |
| Bannerline | 1951-10-12 | |
| The Phantom Extra | 1915-07-28 | Hazel Flemming |
| The Next Voice You Hear… | 1950-06-29 | Woman in Church (uncredited) |
| The Big Bluff | 1933-12-02 | |
| The Unknown Man | 1951-11-09 | |
| Modern Youth | 1926-04-10 | |
| Unexpected Places | 1918-09-30 | Ruth Penfield |
| Boston Blackie’s Little Pal | 1918-08-26 | Mary |
| The Greatest Menace | 1923-05-19 | Mary Lewis |
| The Diamond from the Sky | 1915-05-03 | |
| In the Good Old Summertime | 1949-07-29 | Woman at Window (uncredited) |
| Mrs. Parkington | 1944-10-12 | Mrs. Humphrey (uncredited) |
| The Texas Rangers | 1936-08-28 | Passenger (uncredited) |