He died on 8 October 1970 at Dongtan Beach, Jomtien, South Pattaya, after falling from a helicopter during the filming of a stunt for the final scene of Insee thong (Golden Eagle).

At the height of his career in the 1960s, Mitr, along with Petchara Chaowarat, made a string of hit films that packed cinemas.

At age 8, Mitr moved to Bangkok's Nang Loeng neighborhood to live with a newly married mother, where he took the surname Phumhem.

In 1956 some friends showed his photograph to journalist Kingkaew Kaewprasert, who introduced him to Surat Pukkawet, the editor of a movie magazine.

He caught the attention of movie fans after starring in Chao Nakleng (Gangster Lord), using the character name Rom Ritthikrai from author Sake Dusit's Insee Daeng (Red Eagle) series of novels.

It played in Bangkok cinemas for a solid six months in 1970 and took in 6 million baht,[4] its popularity spurred by the best-selling soundtrack album and Mitr's accidental death while filming Insee Thong.

As the camera rolled, Mitr leapt from the ground to grab a rope ladder hanging from the aircraft, only managing to reach the lowest rung.

The fatal fall has since been removed from DVD versions of the film, with Mitr simply flying off into the distance and some onscreen text paying tribute to the star.

On the day of his funeral, the streets leading to the Buddhist temple were packed, with tens of thousands trying to attend Mitr’s cremation rites.

Inside the spirit house is a statue of Mitr holding a pistol in his right hand, reminiscent of his numerous roles as an action movie star.