Jim Mitchell's life began at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he took his first breaths as the newborn son of Douglas and Linda Mitchell. His father, a research engineer by profession, made the bold decision to leave his job behind and embark on a new career path, one that would involve working in the oil and gas industry, ranching, and farming alongside Jim's grandfather in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. This pivotal move took place when Jim was just six months old, marking the start of a new chapter in his life.
As he grew up, Jim spent his childhood immersed in the oil and gas industry, developing a strong work ethic and a deep understanding of the intricacies of drilling, pulling, and salvaging equipment. His experience in this field was further enriched by his involvement in his grandmother's antique furniture restoration business, where he honed his skills in crafting and repairing beautiful pieces of history. Additionally, Jim lent a hand with farm work, gaining valuable knowledge and a strong connection to the land.
Jim's illustrious great-uncle, Floyd Blackman, had a notable career in the early days of Hollywood, boasting a impressive resume that included starring roles in two silent films and serving as a skilled cameraman, which undoubtedly sparked Jim's fascination with the film industry from a young age. As he grew up, Jim had the unique privilege of knowing two esteemed actors from his hometown of Bartlesville, the talented Gretchen Wyler and the accomplished Ben Johnson.
Jim's cinematic journey commenced with a stint as a Production Assistant on Tim Burton's 1996 sci-fi comedy, "Mars Attacks!", where he employed an unorthodox method to secure his position on set. By cleverly replacing his Oklahoma license plate with a set of expired California plates, Jim managed to convincingly deceive the Kansas State Troopers, who were tasked with verifying the legitimacy of personnel on set.
With his ruse successfully pulled off, Jim began working on the film, gradually gaining experience and building connections within the production team. However, his bluff eventually caught up with him, and he was apprehended by security personnel. In a surprising turn of events, Jim's fortunes were reversed by an Assistant Director, who intervened on his behalf and allowed him to continue working on the film.
Jim's final day on the set of "Mars Attacks!" was particularly memorable, as he had the opportunity to collaborate with the renowned actor Joe Don Baker. Following the film's completion, Jim was extended an invitation to join Tim Burton's crew in Kingman, Arizona, marking the beginning of a long-term professional association with the acclaimed director.
Jim hails from a municipality that boasts a storied past, having nurtured a plethora of cinematic legends. The list of illustrious natives is a veritable Who's Who of Hollywood royalty, featuring the likes of Tom Mix, a silent film icon, Sid Jordan, a stalwart of the silver screen, Emmett Dalton, a daring outlaw-turned-actor, Will Rogers, a witty wordsmith and performer, Clark Gable, the dashing leading man, Flora Campbell, a talented thespian, Nancy Barrett, a charming actress, Terrence Malick, a visionary filmmaker, and Larry Sellers, a seasoned character actor.
