James Mitchell (Sacramento, February 29, 1920 – Los Angeles, January 22, 2010) was an American actor and dancer. His career began in dance, where he became a leading performer for choreographer Agnes de Mille, participating in major Broadway productions such as *Bloomer Girl*, *Brigadoon*, and *Paint Your Wagon*. He later worked in film, appearing in notable movies including *The Band Wagon* (1953) and *Oklahoma!* (1955). He achieved his greatest fame playing the powerful tycoon Palmer Cortlandt in the soap opera *All My Children*, a role he held from 1979 until his death. This performance earned him numerous Daytime Emmy Award nominations, culminating in a win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1989. In 2005, he was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Emmy for his contributions to television.