Charles Gerald Anthony Mitchel (8 November 1920[1] – 18 August 1996) was an Irish actor and broadcaster, best known as an RTÉ television newscaster for almost 23 years.
Early life
Born in Dublin, Mitchel was educated at Clongowes Wood College boarding school in Clane, County Kildare.[1] Mitchel subsequently attended Trinity College Dublin where he studied forestry. It was here that his interest in acting developed and he quickly became a leading member of the Trinity Players. Mitchel left Trinity in 1947 without taking a degree. He immediately joined the Gate Theatre where he played with the Longford company until 1958. He was one of the founders of Irish Actors Equity and served as president of the Catholic Stage Guild.[2]
Broadcasting career
In 1961 Mitchel, joined the newly formed state television station, Telefís Éireann, as its first chief newsreader. His starting salary was £26 per week.[3] Mitchel read the very first bulletin on the network at 9.15pm on Sunday 31 December 1961.[4]
He received numerous honours, including being awarded television personality of the year in December 1962 - he also became the first RTÉ presenter to win a Jacobs' Award.[5]
Mitchel married Elizabeth ('Betty') Stubbs on 9 May 1949 and they had two children, Nicholas and Susan. He died on 18 August 1996 at Bloomfield Nursing Home, Donnybrook and is buried at Glasnevin cemetery.[1][7]