YORK, Pa. - An actor with roots in Central Pennsylvania has left a big legacy that continues to impact the community. Cameron Mitchell blossomed into a famous film, television, and Broadway actor after getting his start in Dallastown, York County. He has starred in hundreds of movies and was nominated for two Academy Awards and two Emmys. Some of his notable films include the 1952 version of "Les Misérables" and the comedy "How to Marry A Millionaire," in which he starred alongside Marilyn Monroe. He passed away in July of 1994, but Marc Mitzell and Bryan Sellers are helping to honor his memory by giving back in his name.
Mitzell and Sellers have helped create the Cameron Mitchell High Chaparral Helena Hartenstein Scholarship Fund in his honor to give a helping hand to Southern York County School District students who are seeking higher education. The fund is sponsored in part by The High Chaparral Reunion. The High Chaparral was an award-winning television western where the actor starred as "Buck Cannon."
Cameron started sharpening his acting skills through church play productions. His father was a minister. Although his talents were known on the screen, Mitzell, Cameron's nephew, says he shined on the baseball field. Mitzell says the actor even had an unsigned contract with the Detroit Tigers.
"He was actually almost a professional baseball player," Mitzell said, "He loved sports and was active in sports, I think baseball was his favorite."