Scoey Mitchell

Roscoe Mitchell Jr. or Scoey Mitchell (March 12, 1930 – March 19, 2022), usually credited as Scoey Mitchell, was an American actor, producer, writer and television 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 television 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"). His father was a Baptist minister and community activist. His brother was jazz pianist Billy Mitchell. 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 television series including The Mothers-in-Law, Here Come the Brides, That Girl, The Odd Couple, The Six Million Dollar Man, and Baretta.

Mitchell starred in several television films, including Voyage of the Yes, 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: Mitchell 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, Mitchell was in Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling, a semi-autobiographical film about Richard Pryor. He was survived by his wife, Claire.

Filmography

Acting

Film Year Title RoleNotes 1986 Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling Father Semi-autobiographical; directed by Richard Pryor.

Television Year Title RoleEpisode(s)Notes 1965 Get Smart Credited as Scoey Mitchell 1967 The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour Himself "Episode #2.12" (S2:Ep 12)Credited as Scoey Mitchell 1968 "Episode #2.17" (S2:Ep 17)Credited as Scoey Mitchell "Episode #2.24" (S2:Ep 24)Credited as Scoey Mitchell 1969 What's It All About, World? Himself Contract role The Mothers-in-Law Solomon Elkins "Guess Who's Coming Forever" (S2:Ep 20)Credited as Scoey Mitchell Here Come the Brides Sheriff Bond "Far Cry from Yesterday" (S2:Ep 1) The Carol Burnett Show Himself "Episode #3.4" (S3:Ep 4) That Girl Tony Harris "Shake Hands and Come Out Acting" (S4:Ep 9)Credited as Scoey Mitchell 1972 The Odd Couple Consul from Nigeria "The Princess" (S3:Ep 3)Uncredited Cops Sergeant Monroe Dupree Television film 1974 The Six Million Dollar Man Major Chooka "Little Orphan Airplane" (S1:Ep 5)Credited as Scoey Mitchell 1974–76 Rhoda Justin Culp Credited as Scoey Mitchell 1975 Joe Forrester Pilot: "Stake Out" Police Story Investigator Mal Groves "The Execution" (S2:Ep 18)"The Cut Man Caper" (S3:Ep 5) 1976 Doc The Father "And Baby Makes Eight" (S1:Ep 16) 1977 Baretta Mike "Playin' Police" (S3:Ep 24)Credited as Scoey Mitchell Baretta Aterna "The Bundle" (S4:Ep 24) Taxi Robber "Memories of Cab 804: Part 1" (S1:Ep 11)Credited as Scoey Mitchell 1985 Gus Brown and Midnight Brewster Maurice Television film Directed by James Fargo. Handsome Harry's Harry Marquette Television film 1986 Me & Mrs. C. Reverend Kilgore "Ladies' Choice: Part 1" (S1:Ep 2)"Ladies' Choice: Part 2" (S1:Ep 3) Miracle at Beekman's Place Dr Cyrus Beekman Television film Directed by Bernard L. Kowalski and written by Mitchell.

Directing

Television

Year Title Production TypeEpisodesNotes 1984 Me & Mrs. C. M Television film Co-directed with Drew R. Handley 1987 Me & Mrs. C. TV series"The Jailbird" (S2:Ep 2) "Happy Birthday to You" (S2:Ep 3) "A Bump in the Night" (S2:Ep 12) "Smarty Pants" (S2:Ep 13) 1989–90 13 East TV seriesPilot: "Where's the Ticket?" (S1:Ep 1) "I've Got a Loan to Pick with You" (S1:Ep 2) "A Day in the Life" (S1:Ep 3) "The Switch" (S1:Ep 4) "Tabloid Time" (S1:Ep 5) "Poppa's Coming" (S1:Ep 6) "Bullseye" (S2:Ep 10)

Writing

Television

Year Title Production Type Directed byNotes 1972 The Scoey Mitchell Show Television film Marc Breslow 1984 Me & Mrs. C. Television film Co-directed with Drew R. Handley Miracle at Beekman's Place Television film Bernard L. Kowalski Directed by Georg Stanford Brown 1983 Just a Little More Love Television film Executive producer 1984 Me & Mrs. C. Television film Producer 1985 Gus Brown and Midnight Brewster Television film Producer Handsome Harry's Television film Executive producer 1986 Me & Mrs. C. Television series Producer 1988 A Whole Lotta Fun Television film Executive producer Miracle at Beekman's Place Television film Producer 1989 13 East Television series Producer