Dancer-Actor James Mitchell, 1920-2010

Dancer-actor James Mitchell, whose long career included three decades on the ABC soap opera ALL MY CHILDREN, has passed away at the age of 89.

Mr. Mitchell would have been 90 next month.

Mitchell achieved his earliest recognition for his work in Broadway musicals, where his roles included ill-fated Harry Beaton in the original cast of BRIGADOON (1947).

Throughout the '40s and '50s Mitchell's movie roles alternated acting and dancing. He appeared as an actor in a number of fine films including COLORADO TERRITORY (1949), BORDER INCIDENT (1949), STARS IN MY CROWN (1950), and DEVIL'S DOORWAY (1950).

One of his most notable film roles was playing Paul Byrd, the choreographer, in the classic MGM musical THE BAND WAGON (1953). Another notable film role was dancing "Dream Curly" in the ballet in the film version of OKLAHOMA! (1955).

Mitchell's dance with Cyd Charisse in DEEP IN MY HEART (1954), "One Alone," is one of the most scorching, blatantly sensual dances ever put on film. The dancing by these two greats, as choreographed by Eugene Loring, is simply stunning.

Mitchell was a 7-time Emmy nominee for his role as Palmer Cortlandt on ALL MY CHILDREN, but never took home the statuette.