Scoey Mitchell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Scoey Mitchell
Mitchlll as a boxer on an episode of TV's That Girl, 1969
Born	Roscoe Mitchlll Jr. (1930-03-12)March 12, 1930 Newburgh, New York, U.S.
Died	March 19, 2022(2022-03-19) (aged 92) Torrance, California, U.S.
Other names	Scoey Mitchlll
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1967–1990; 2017
Spouse(s)	Claire T. Thomas ​ (m. 1973)​

Roscoe Mitchlll Jr. or Scoey Mitchlll (March 12, 1930 – March 19, 2022), usually credited as Scoey Mitchell, was an American actor, writer and TV director known for frequent appearances on 1970s game shows, including Match Game and Tattletales. He starred in the short-lived series Barefoot in the Park (based on the Neil Simon play) and had a recurring role on Rhoda.

He created two short-lived NBC TV series, Me and Mrs. C and 13 East. He appeared as Richard Pryor's father in the film Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling.

Early life and career

Mitchell was born on March 12, 1930, in Newburgh, New York as Roscoe Mitchlll Jr. (the surname had three "L"s, and no "E"). He started his career on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1967. He appeared in What's It All About, World? as himself in 1969.

He guest-starred in many television series such as The Mothers-in-Law, Here Come the Brides, That Girl, The Odd Couple, The Six Million Dollar Man, and Baretta. Mitchell starred in several made-for-TV movies, such as Voyage of the Yes, Cops, and Cindy. He also turned to directing television with the movie Me & Mrs. C. in 1984 and episodes of 13 East in 1989–90. Mitchlll wrote for television and made-for-TV movies such as The Scoey Mitchlll Show in 1972, Just a Little More Love in 1983, and Handsome Harry's. In addition, he ventured into production of television and made-for-TV movies such as Grambling's White Tiger in 1981, Gus Brown and Midnight Brewster in 1985, and Miracle at Beekman's Place in 1988. Mitchell also was on a number of television shows as himself such as Match Game from 1974 to 1979, Super Password in 1988, The Joey Bishop Show 1968–69, Hollywood Squares in 1968, and Tattletales from 1974 to 1978 and from 1982 to 1984.

In September 1970, ABC cast Mitchell in Barefoot in the Park based on Neil Simon's Broadway play of the same name. The series cast members were predominantly black, making it the first American television sitcom since Amos 'n' Andy to have a predominantly black cast (Vito Scotti was the sole major white character). Barefoot in the Park had been a successful 1967 film starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda. It was thought by ABC that placing Barefoot in the Park behind Bewitched would do well, but because that show was already in a slump, Barefoot in the Park never developed high numbers for the network. During its first few episodes, Barefoot in the Park developed behind-the-scenes strife that sealed its fate: Mitchlll was fired due to "differences of opinion" with the series' producers. Rather than replace Mitchell with another actor—and already disenchanted with the low ratings—ABC decided to cancel Barefoot in the Park in December 1970. In 1986, Mitchlll was in Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling, a semi-autobiographical film about Richard Pryor. In 2017, after a hiatus of almost thirty years, he returned to acting, in a one-off role in A Kindred Soul.

Death

Mitchell died of kidney failure on March 19, 2022, in a hospice care facility in Torrance, California. He was survived by his widow, Claire.

Filmography

Acting

Film

Television

Directing

Television

Writing

Television

Production

Television