Roger Ebert’s Favorite Actor: Why the Critic Adored Robert Mitchum

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Even though Roger Ebert died almost 13 years ago, his insightful movie reviews and excellent taste still influence film lovers today. Shortly before his death in April 2013, Ebert wrote about the passing of actors Robert Mitchum and James Stewart, both of whom died in July 1997. In that piece, he explained why he considered Mitchum to be his favorite movie star of all time.

Roger Ebert, who reviewed many classic films including Out of the Past, Night of the Hunter, Cape Fear, The Longest Day, The Friends of Eddy Coyle, and The Yakuza, was particularly impressed by Robert Mitchum’s unique ability to portray both the good and bad sides of human nature in every role. Ebert felt this quality was rare in modern actors. Having interviewed Mitchum three times, Ebert believed Mitchum affected him more deeply than any other actor he encountered during his decades-long career.

Who Is Robert Mitchum?


RKO Radio Pictures

Robert Mitchum started his film career in 1942 and quickly became famous for playing complex characters in classic film noir movies – often those who weren’t quite heroes, but not entirely villains either. He received his only Academy Award nomination in 1945 for The Story of G.I. Joe, where he played a deeply affected soldier who remained strong even in the face of danger. Mitchum was known for his relaxed and seemingly uninterested demeanor, a unique acting style that was remarkably modern for its time.

People often mistakenly called him a bad actor because he seemed so natural and relaxed on screen. But over time, they realized he was ahead of his time, much like Marlon Brando. Mitchum pioneered a more realistic acting style that many would later admire and copy. He didn’t seem to act so much as simply be – a quality that actors still strive for today.

In 1947, Robert Mitchum appeared in two now-classic film noirs: Crossfire and Out of the Past. He was particularly brilliant in Out of the Past, where he played a private detective with a hidden past. This role cemented his image as a cool, enigmatic, and captivating figure – a uniquely magnetic presence on screen.

I’ve always been fascinated by Robert Mitchum. He really lived life on his own terms – a true rebel! Back in 1948, way before anyone really talked about it, he got arrested for having marijuana and ended up doing 50 days in jail. But he didn’t let that stop him! He came back and made some absolutely classic films – movies that really defined their genres. It’s amazing to think he acted in 132 different projects over his career, right up until he passed away in 1997. A real legend.

Why Robert Mitchum Was Roger Ebert’s Favorite Movie Star


United Artists

The day after Robert Mitchum’s death, another iconic actor, James Stewart, also passed away. When pressed to choose between the two, film critic Roger Ebert declined, later reflecting that the world had lost a “legendary old movie star” in Mitchum and a “national treasure” in Stewart. Though Stewart was perhaps better known for timeless films like It’s a Wonderful Life, Ebert often elaborated on what he admired about Mitchum, famously describing him as the very essence of film noir.

He had a deep, quiet voice and a sad, drawn face, complete with those unforgettable tired eyes. He looked like the type of man you’d find alone in a nearly empty bar, hoping—and dreading—someone would walk in and upset him.

Roger Ebert noted that Robert Mitchum possessed more than just a striking appearance. He had a unique talent for portraying the complexities of any character – both their good and bad sides – across all his films, and he went on to say:

Robert Mitchum brought a strikingly different presence to the screen – tougher, more knowing, and more complex. He always seemed older than his years, unlike James Stewart who often played more youthful characters. While Stewart’s characters smoked because the role called for it, Mitchum smoked because he needed to. And when he drank on screen, his mannerisms suggested a man lost in the moment, not counting drinks.

Robert Mitchum was a master at portraying both good and evil, and his role as Harry Powell in The Night of the Hunter perfectly showcases this talent. Powell is a creepy preacher who terrorizes a mother and her children while searching for money their father hid. The tattoos on his knuckles – “Love” on one hand and “Hate” on the other – represent the conflicting forces Mitchum often brought to his characters, and this duality became a hallmark of his on-screen presence.

Ebert continues:

Robert Mitchum was always my favorite actor. To me, he embodied the enigmatic allure of cinema, as if he held all the secrets behind the scenes.

Robert Mitchum perfectly embodied the spirit of film noir, a uniquely American cinematic style alongside Westerns and musicals. He projected a tough, cynical masculinity – think fedora hats, dangling cigarettes, and skillful fighting – building on the foundation laid by Humphrey Bogart but updating it for a modern audience.

As a huge cinema fan, I’ve always been struck by Robert Mitchum. Even later in his career, he brought this incredible, world-weary quality to detective roles – films like The Yakuza, Farewell, My Lovely, and The Big Sleep all showcased this tough guy with a hidden vulnerability. It’s been nearly 30 years since he passed, and honestly, no one has quite captured that same unique blend of masculinity and sensitivity on screen since.

Stars Like Robert Mitchum No Longer Exist in Hollywood


Universal-International

It’s hard to think of an actor quite like Robert Mitchum, either before or since his time in Hollywood, and Roger Ebert explains why. He was remarkably versatile, able to convincingly play characters in all sorts of movies and with a huge range of emotions – a talent few actors can match.

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Robert Mitchum wasn’t just a film noir star. He excelled in a wide range of genres – from Westerns like El Dorado and war movies like The Longest Day, to crime thrillers such as The Friends of Eddie Coyle, historical romances like Ryan’s Daughter, and even comedies like Scrooged. This versatility showed he was a true leading man who also possessed the depth and skill of a character actor – a rare combination in modern film.

What always struck me about Robert Mitchum wasn’t just his on-screen persona, but how refreshingly different he was in interviews. Unlike someone like Jimmy Stewart, who was always happy to play the game and promote his films, Mitchum actively disliked them. He’d famously just wander off on these long, rambling stories about…well, anything but the movie he was supposed to be talking about. It was a throwback to an older style of star, and I always found it incredibly endearing, as Roger Ebert did too.

Robert Mitchum had a reputation for being incredibly difficult to interview, but I actually thought he was brilliant. I quickly figured out how to connect with him. I met him in 1968 during a rainy night in a small cottage on the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland. He was drinking whisky, listening to Jim Reeves, and sharing stories while filming ‘Ryan’s Daughter,’ though he was starting to regret taking the role. I was completely captivated by him. He didn’t just occupy a space; he completely filled it with his presence.

Today’s streaming world is full of actors, but none quite capture the complex, captivating charisma of Robert Mitchum – that blend of strength, vulnerability, and a touch of rebellious darkness. As film critic Roger Ebert noted fourteen years ago, no one else embodies that quality quite like him.

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2026-02-15 00:35