Robert Mitchum

Mitchum in 1949, Screenland p. 41, J. Fred Henry Publications

Birth Name: Robert Charles Durman Mitchum

Date of Birth: August 6, 1917

Place of Birth: Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.

Date of Death: July 1, 1997

Place of Death: Santa Barbara, California, U.S.

Ethnicity:
*father – English, remote Welsh, possibly other
*mother – Norwegian

Robert Mitchum was an American actor, director, author, poet, composer, and singer.

Robert’s father, James Thomas Mitchum, was born in Lane, Williamsburg, South Carolina, and had English, remote Welsh, and possibly other, ancestry. Robert’s mother, Ann Harriet Henrietta (Gunderson), was a Norwegian emigrant, born in Kristiania/Christiania, Oslo, Norway.

Robert had said that he had Native American ancestry, sometimes stated as Blackfoot. It is not clear if this ancestry has been verified/documented.

He is also sometimes described as having had Scots-Irish ancestry.

With his wife, Dorothy Spence, Robert had three children, including actor James Mitchum, and actor, screenwriter, and businessperson Christopher Mitchum. Among his grandchildren is actor Bentley Mitchum, and Carrie Mitchum. Carrie was previously married to actor Casper Van Dien, with whom she has two children, including actress Grace Van Dien.

Robert’s paternal grandfather was Thomas Dupree/Dupre “Duke”/Dukes Mitchum (the son of Samuel/Sam M. Mitchum and Mary Ellen/Eleanor Davis). Thomas was born in South Carolina. Samuel was the son of Abraham A. Mitchum and Maria June. Mary was the daughter of Thomas D. Davis.

Robert’s paternal grandmother was Ida Elizabeth Barfield (the daughter of Jesse Barfield and Martha Cynthia Edge). Ida was born in South Carolina. Martha was the daughter of George Washington Edge and Nancy Bazil.

Robert’s maternal grandfather was Gustavus/Gustav Adophus/Adolph/Adolf/Olav Gunderson/Gundersen (the son of Karl Gunderson and Martine Petrine Jensdatter). Gustavus was born in Kristiania, Norway.

Robert’s maternal grandmother was Petrine Marie Schulerud (the daughter of Peter Gunerius Schulerud and Marie Johnson). Petrine was born in Eidsvoll, Akershus, Norway.

Sources: Genealogies of Robert Mitchum –

Genealogy of Robert Mitchum (focusing on his father’s side) –

Robert’s father on the 1900 U.S. Census –

Genealogy of Robert’s paternal grandfather, Thomas Dupree/Dupre “Duke”/Dukes Mitchum –

Robert’s paternal grandfather, Thomas Dupree/Dupre “Duke”/Dukes Mitchum, on the 1870 U.S. Census –

Robert’s paternal great-grandfather, Samuel/Sam M. Mitchum, on the 1850 U.S. Census –