Millard Mitchell

In the case of Millard Mitchell, the name fit the frame--his appearance and voice exuded solid authority, which helped the actor win a host of supporting roles in various media. Born in Cuba to American parents, Mitchell started acting in New York theatrical productions while still in his early 20s. During this time, he appeared onstage with such future movie luminaries as James Cagney and Joan Blondell, and like those stars he soon won roles in Hollywood. His first film characters weren't particularly auspicious--he played a secretary in a short called "What Price Pants" in 1931, and in his next effort, the feature "Secrets of a Secretary," he graduated to the role of drunk. But more complex characters lay ahead. In 1942, Mitchell appeared as a detective in the comedic mystery "Mr. and Mrs. North," starring popular comedian Gracie Allen, and repeated the role several years later in an early attempt at a TV movie adaptation. More prominently, the actor had a high-profile part as a major general in the Oscar-winning World War II bomber-pilot saga "Twelve O'Clock High." Several years later, Mitchell picked up a prize of his own, namely, a Golden Globe, for his supporting work in the 1952 prison dramedy "My Six Convicts." Unfortunately, he didn't get the chance to take his career further, as he died the following year at the age of 50.