Biography
Mitchell Freundlich was born in NY, NY on May 13, 1905. As a child he trained with the acrobatic team of the Novello Brothers. He began his career in vaudeville with Sim Moore, as Moore and Mitchell, performing acrobatic comics around the country (1924-25). Mitchell married a well-known singer in Chicago, Jeane Fields (ca. 1924). He headlined his next partner, Jack Durant, at the London Palladium (1929). The two appeared on Broadway in George White's comedy series of sketches Scandals and Earl Carroll's Vanities (1932-33). The team went on to appear in films including 365 Nights in Hollywood (1934), and She Learned About Sailors (1934). Mitchell appeared in numerous western films, often appearing as Canonball, the sidekick to Tex Ritter and Bill Elliott (1930s-40s). He performed in U.S.O Tours during WWII and enjoyed a television career including a recurring role in the television series Wagon Train (1960s). Mitchell received an honorary plaque for his roles in western films at the 1990 Golden Boot Awards. He died of a cardiac arrest in North Hollywood, CA on January 21, 1991.
From the guide to the Frank Mitchell papers, ca. 1920s-ca. 1980s, (University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Performing Arts Special Collections.)
