Mickey Kuhn Dies @ 90; Had Been Last Credited ‘Gone with the Wind’ Cast Member

Mickey Kuhn, the final surviving credited cast member from the 1939 classic Gone with the Wind, died November 20 in hospice in Florida.

Kuhn in his big GWTW scene Image via MGM)

He was 90.

Kuhn was born September 21, 1932, in Waukegan, Illinois, but was moved to L.A. by his family within a year. His "acting" career began as an infant-in-arms in Change of Heart, a 1934 release starring Janet Gaynor (1906-1984).

Uncredited for his work, it was a distinction — or lack thereof — that followed him in about half of his projects, including several 1939 films: Humphrey Bogart's (1899-1957) gangster flick King of the Underworld, When Tomorrow Comes starring Irene Dunne (1898-1990) and Charles Boyer (1899-1978), and Bad Little Angel.

But he received credit for a part in Juarez that year, which found him working with Bette Davis (1908-1989), and was credited for his memorable, brief work as Beau Wilkes in Gone with the Wind.

As Beau, he delivered heart-tugging words when his mother Melanie (Olivia de Havilland, 1916-2020), died:

"Where is my mother going away to? And why can't I go along, please?"

Interestingly, one of a handful of other living actors who appeared in in the film (albeit all uncredited) is Patrick Curtis, 83, who was Beau as a baby.

Other important films in which Kuhn appeared: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945), Dick Tracy (1945), The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946) and Red River (1948).

Kuhn (R) in Red River (Image via UA)

The latter included a scene in which John Wayne (1907-1979) backhanded Kuhn. He told Kuhn in advance the blow would be real in order to look real — and it was.

As a young man, he had a brief interaction with Vivien Leigh (1913-1967) in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), meaning he worked with her in both of her Oscar films.

In spite of appearing alongside so many big names, Kuhn's own career never took off. He was back to sporadic uncredited roles in forgettable films toward the end of it, calling it off after three (credited) performances in Alfred Hitchcock Presents episodes, all of which aired in 1957.

He retired shortly before turning 25.

A still of Kuhn during a later-years interview (Image via video still)

Kuhn's later career was in the air-travel industry, in which he worked until 1995.

He spent a lot of time in his old age attending autograph shows and film festivals, also often taking part in Gone with the Wind reunions.

It was said he was in excellent health until shortly before his deah.

Kuhn is survived by his wife, two children and one grandchild.

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