Scoey Mitchell, African American Actor

Scoey Mitchell (born March 12, 1930) is an American actor, writer and TV director known for frequent appearances on 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. Occasionally his last name is billed as "Mitchlll". He also 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.

Mitchell was born on March 12, 1930, in Newburgh, New York. He started his career on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1967.^[1] Mitchell was in What's It All About, World?as himself in 1969.^[2][3]

He would guest star 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,^[4] Cops,^[5] and Cindy.^[6] He also turned to directing television with such as Me & Mrs. C. in 1984^[7] and episodes of 13 East in 1989–90. Mitchell wrote for television and made-for-TV-Movies such as The Scoey Mitchlll Show in 1972,^[7] Just a Little More Love in 1983,^[8] and Handsome Harry's.^[9] In addition, he ventured into production of television and made-for-TV-Movies such as Grambling's White Tiger in 1981,^[10] Gus Brown and Midnight Brewster in 1985,^[11] and Miracle at Beekman's Place in 1988.^[12] Mitchell also was on a number of television shows as himself such as Match Game from 1974–79, Super Password in 1988, The Joey Bishop Show1968–69, The Hollywood Squares in 1968, and Tattletales in 1974.

In September 1970, ABC cast Mitchell in Barefoot in the Park based on the Neil Simon 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 also previously been a successful 1967 film starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda.^[13] 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.^[14] In 2017, he returned to acting in A Kindred Soul.