Mitch Vogel was just 12 years old the last time he visited Carroll County. Today, 50 years later, he is returning to the community that he remembers “like it was yesterday.”
Vogel starred as Lucus McCaslin in the 1969 movie “The Reivers,” which earned him a Golden Globe nomination in 1968 for Best Supporting Actor. He was a veteran actor by that time as a regular on “Gunsmoke” and appeared in numerous films and television features during his 10 year career.
“[Lucas McCaslin] was a very important role for me,” Vogel said. “For a 12-year-old, being the main character in a movie was [significant].”
Vogel said being on location in Carroll County for filming left him with “a lot of nice memories.”
His best memory was the very first time he met Steve McQueen. He said McQueen took him driving in the Winton Flyer, the car at the center of the movie’s story that was custom-made for movie.
“He gave me my first driving lesson that day,” Vogel remembered.
Vogel said he got to see much of the countryside around Carrollton during filming.
“I had never seen a cotton field,” Vogel said. “At 12 years old, it was very exciting.”
Vogel said he and his mother stayed with the Johnson family during filming, and he became good friends with Carey Johnson, a boy around the same age.
“I was looking forward to seeing Carey again, but he won’t be in town,” Vogel said. “I have so many good memories with him.”
Vogel said he was surprised to receive the call asking him to return to Carrollton to celebrate the 50th anniversary of “The Reivers.” He didn’t hesitate to say yes.
“There are memories that are still inside of me,” Vogel said. “I can see them in my mind like they were yesterday.”
Today, Vogel says he has a “regular job.”
Married to Christine for 32 years, the couple has two daughters, and two granddaughters. He works as a front desk agent at a hotel near his home in Santa Maria, California. In addition to acting, Vogel said he was a professional musician for many years, working as a guitarist.
“I am very blessed,” Vogel said. “I have a wonderful family.”
