Why Robert Mitchum Wouldn’t Star in 1975's “Farewell, My Lovely” Without Boxer-Turned-Actor Jack O’Halloran (Exclusive)

Angela AndaloroThu, June 4, 2026 at 8:54 PM UTC

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Robert Mitchum and Jack O'Halloran in 'Farewell, My Lovely'Credit: Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection/Getty -

Jack O'Halloran was a major figure in the boxing world when he gave acting a try

O'Halloran, 83, made his film debut in the 1975 film Farewell, My Darling

The actor tells PEOPLE about deciding to transition between the industries and working with mentor Robert Mitchum

Jack O'Halloran is grateful to Robert Mitchum for his acting journey.

The Superman star, 83, was established in the boxing world when he started getting approached about acting gigs. He wasn't sure he wanted to delve into the craft, he explains to PEOPLE in a recent catch-up.

"In 1975, I got a phone call from some people who wanted me to do a film. I had already turned down a couple of films. And my agent, I had an agent in California when I was the California heavyweight champion, had me do some commercials," he tells PEOPLE.

"I did some commercials and stuff, and she said, 'I think you should go and talk to these people.' The film was Farewell, My Lovely with Robert Mitchum."

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Joe Bugner (left) and Jack O'Halloran fighting in Royal Albert HallCredit: PA Images via Getty

The professional athlete started learning more about the acting process as he navigated that audition.

"I went and I met with him and did a screen test. And Robert Mitchum said, 'It's either him or I don't do the movie.' So I blame my career on Mitchum," he laughed.

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The film featured Mitchum as detective Philip Marlowe, hired by 'Moose' Malloy (O'Halloran) to find his missing girlfriend after the felon was released from prison.

"Farewell, My Lovely came out very well. It's a very good film. It's an excellent movie and Mitchum was a great teacher. I never took an acting lesson and Robert Mitchum was my acting mentor."

"He taught me some very basic things that worked extremely well. And the film industry's a funny industry, the camera either likes you or doesn't. And I happened to be very lucky, the camera liked me. So I picked and chose what I wanted to do."

Jack O'Halloran in 2018Credit: Tara Ziemba/Getty

O'Halloran admits that he stands by his choices despite the fact that some movies he passed on may seem like ones he should have taken to audiences and fans. For example, the actor was offered the role of Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me.

"I turned down the Bond movie and the sequel to it because I was doing Superman, which was a much better play. There were some films that I turned down that I probably should have maybe wanted to do, but I was working on other things," he explained.

"And I was writing a book called Family Legacy, which we're about to film. That's going to be bigger than The Godfather. A lot of people are very excited over it."

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”