Mitchell Lurie got his early training from the Peter Mermeblum California Junior Symphony, a popular training orchestra in the Los Angeles area. The exceptional Lurie was soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at age 16. After finishing his schooling at the renowned Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, he was asked to join conductor Fritz Reiner, who was then with the Pittsburgh Symphony. World War II intervened, and Lurie eventually joined Reiner with the Pittsburgh Symphony as principal clarinetist. When Reiner moved to the Chicago Symphony in 1950, Lurie went along and was principal clarinetist there for two years.

In 1952, Lurie moved back to California, where he taught for many years at USC as professor of clarinet and chamber music. During this time, he designed reeds, mouthpieces, and other accessories for woodwinds, eventually creating his own line of products. The Mitchell Lurie "Rico" brand is still popular today.

In addition to being a member of various orchestras, having a long career as soloist, and performing the solo of two world-premier concertos, Lurie performed the scores for dozens, if not hundreds, of movies.

A few years before his death, Lurie designed a new clarinet, the Tyro, which is intended for beginning students as an inexpensive, user-friendly instrument. The instrument is sold today.

Lurie died on November 4, 2008. He was survived by his wife of 63 years, two sons, five grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.