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James Flavin
Acting
Biography
American character actor whose career lasted nearly half a century. James Wilson Flavin Jr. was the son of a hotel waiter of Canadian-English extraction and a mother, Katherine, whose father was an Irish immigrant. (Thus Flavin, well-known in Hollywood as an "Irish" type, was only one-quarter Irish.) Flavin was born and raised in Portland, Maine (a fact that may have enrichened his later working relationship with director John Ford, also a Portland native). He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, but (contrary to some sources) did not graduate. Instead he dropped out and returned to Portland where he drove a taxi. Then as now, summer stock companies flocked to Maine eac…
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American character actor whose career lasted nearly half a century. James Wilson Flavin Jr. was the son of a hotel waiter of Canadian-English extraction and a mother, Katherine, whose father was an Irish immigrant. (Thus Flavin, well-known in Hollywood as an "Irish" type, was only one-quarter Irish.) Flavin was born and raised in Portland, Maine (a fact that may have enrichened his later working relationship with director John Ford, also a Portland native). He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, but (contrary to some sources) did not graduate. Instead he dropped out and returned to Portland where he drove a taxi. Then as now, summer stock companies flocked to Maine each year, and in 1929 he was asked to fill in for an actor. He did well with the part and the company manager offered him $150 per week to go with the troupe back to New York. Flavin accepted and by the spring of 1930 was living in a rooming house at 108 W. 87th Street in Manhattan. Flavin didn't manage to crack Broadway at this time (his Broadway debut would not occur for another thirty-nine years, in the 1971 revival of "The Front Page," in which Flavin played Murphy and briefly took over the lead role of Walter Burns from star Robert Ryan). He worked his way across the country in stock productions and tours, arriving in Los Angeles around 1932. He quickly made the transition to movies, landing the lead in his very first film, a Universal serial, The Airmail Mystery (1932). He also landed his leading lady, marrying the serial's female star Lucile Browne that same year. However, the serial marked virtually the last time that Flavin would play the lead in a film. Thereafter, he was restricted almost exclusively to supporting characters, many of them without so much as a name. He specialized in uniformed cops and hard-bitten detectives, but played chauffeurs, cabbies, and even a 16th-century palace guard with aplomb. Flavin appeared in nearly four hundred films between 1932 and 1971, and in almost a hundred television episodes before his final appearance, as President Dwight D. Eisenhower in Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident (1976). Flavin died of a heart ailment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on April 23, 1976. His widow Lucile died seventeen days later. They were survived by their son, William James Flavin, subsequently a professor at the United States Army War College. James and Lucile Brown Flavin were buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Biography expanded
BODY OF WORK
James Flavin's Filmography
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The Lost Spider Pit Sequence
as Second Mate Briggs (archive footage)
Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident
as President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Law and Order
as Capt. Toomey
In Cold Blood
as Clarence Duntz
Good Times
as Lieutenant
The Further Adventures of Gallegher
as Lt. Flynn
Cheyenne Autumn
as Ft. Robinson Sergeant of the Guard (uncredited)
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
as Patrolman (uncredited)
Critic's Choice
as Security Guard (uncredited)
The Last Hurrah
as Police Capt. Michael J. Shanahan (uncredited)
Johnny Rocco
as Mooney
Wild Is the Wind
as Wool Buyer
Night Passage
as Tim Riley
The Restless Breed
as Secret Service Chief
Footsteps in the Night
as Mr. Bradbury
Hold That Hypnotist
as Jake Morgan
The Wings of Eagles
as MP at Garden Party (uncredited)
Francis in the Haunted House
as Police Chief Martin
Never Say Goodbye
as Timmy
Apache Ambush
as Col. Marshall
The Naked Street
as Attorney Michael X. Flanders
Mister Roberts
as Military Policeman
Return of the Dead
as Judd Harrison
Massacre Canyon
as Col. Tarant
Dragonfly Squadron
as Doctor
The Eddie Cantor Story
as Kelly
Fighter Attack
as Col. Allison
Hot News
as Al Bragg
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars
as First Policeman in Bank
Trouble Along the Way
as Coach Buck Holman
I Beheld His Glory
as Longinus
Confidentially Connie
as Harry (uncredited)
Star of Texas
as Texas Rangers Capt. Sturdivant
Million Dollar Mermaid
as Conductor
O. Henry's Full House
as Cop (segment "The Cop and the Anthem") (uncredited)
Carrie
as Mike - Bartender (uncredited)
Here Come the Marines
as Lieutenant-Colonel at End
Sailor Beware
as Petty Officer (uncredited)
No Poster
As We Forgive
Come Fill the Cup
as Russ - Homicide Captain (uncredited)
Rhubarb
as O'Leary, Manhattan Police Chief (uncredited)
Fighting Coast Guard
as Commander Rogers
Follow the Sun
as Henry Gibbs
According to Mrs. Hoyle
as Prosecuting Attorney
Oh! Susanna
as Capt. Worth
Operation Pacific
as SP Commander
South Sea Sinner
as Andrews
Destination Murder
as Police Lt. Brewster
Armored Car Robbery
as Lt. Phillips
The Savage Horde
as Guard
Rock Island Trail
as Railroad Workman
When Willie Comes Marching Home
as Gen. Brevort (uncredited)
Dakota Lil
as Secret Service Chief
Prison Warden
as Guard Capt. Peter Butler
The Devil's Henchmen
as Police Sergeant Briggs
Blondie Hits the Jackpot
as Brophy
Mighty Joe Young
as Schultz
Mississippi Rhythm
as Stan Caldwell
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff
as Insp. Wellman
Flamingo Road
Homicide
as Det. Lt. Boylan
Shockproof
as Policeman in Park (Uncredited)
Bungalow 13
as Lt. Sam Wilson
The Plunderers
as Sergeant Major
One Touch of Venus
as Kerrigan
The Velvet Touch
as Sgt. Oliphant
Secret Service Investigator
as Police Inspector Thorndyke
The Noose Hangs High
as Traffic Cop (uncredited)
Sleep, My Love
as Lieutenant Mitchell
My Girl Tisa
as Guard (uncredited)
Unconquered
as Villager (uncredited)
Nightmare Alley
as Hoatley / First Carnival Owner (uncredited)
Joe Palooka in the Knockout
as Policeman
Song of the Thin Man
as Policeman Reardon (uncredited)
Desert Fury
as Pat Johnson
Robin Hood Of Texas
as Captain Danforth
Dishonored Lady
as Police Sergeant Patella
It Happened on Fifth Avenue
as First Policeman (uncredited)
My Favorite Brunette
as Det. Lt. 'Mac' Hennessey (uncredited)
Nora Prentiss
as District Attorney
Nobody Lives Forever
as Shake Thomas
Cloak and Dagger
as Col. Walsh
Angel on My Shoulder
as Dan Bellamy
Step by Step
as Woods
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers
as Police Detective #1
The Missing Lady
as Police Insp. Cardona
Easy to Wed
as Joe
Rendezvous with Annie
as Turnkey (uncredited)
Boys' Ranch
as Policeman (uncredited)
A Stolen Life
as Investigator (uncredited)
Sentimental Journey
as Detective Sgt. McFarland (uncredited)
Young Widow
as Subway Conductor (Uncredited)
Tars and Spars
as Chief Bosun Mate Gurney
The Spider
as Officer Johnny Tracy
Hold That Blonde!
as Laundry Truck Driver (uncredited)
Johnny Angel
as Flavin, Mate of the Quincy (uncredited)
Mildred Pierce
as Detective (uncredited)
The Shanghai Cobra
as H.R. Jarvis
Anchors Aweigh
as Radio Cop
Over 21
as Captain (uncredited)
Murder, He Says
as Police Officer (uncredited)
Circumstantial Evidence
as Guard
God Is My Co-Pilot
as Major at Kweilin Airbase (uncredited)
Hollywood Canteen
as Marine Sergeant (uncredited)
Laura
as Det. McEveety (uncredited)
Strange Affair
as Bank Security Guard (uncredited)
Abroad with Two Yanks
as Sgt. Wiggins
Mr. Winkle Goes to War
Once Upon a Time
as Man in Subway (uncredited)
Christmas Holiday
as Policeman (uncredited)
Uncertain Glory
as Captain of Mobile Guard
There's Something About a Soldier
Riding High
as Train Conductor
Swing Shift Maisie
as Radio Policeman (Uncredited)
Corvette K-225
as 1st Lt. Bill Gardner
Thank Your Lucky Stars
as Policeman (uncredited)
Murder on the Waterfront
as Cmdr. Kalin
So Proudly We Hail
as Captain O'Brien (Uncredited)
I Dood It
as Federal Agent (uncredited)
Heaven Can Wait
as Policeman (uncredited)
Action in the North Atlantic
as Merchant Marine School Lieutenant-Commander (uncredited)
Mission to Moscow
as American Senator (uncredited)
Air Force
as Maj. A.M. Bagley
Something to Shout About
as Policeman
It Ain't Hay
as Cop (uncredited)
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty
as Policeman
Gentleman Jim
as George Corbett (uncredited)
Night in New Orleans
as Egan (uncredited)
Ten Gentlemen from West Point
as Capt. Luddy
Thru Different Eyes
as Thomas
Tough as They Come
as Process Server
Broadway
as Doorman (uncredited)
Saboteur
as Motorcycle Cop (voice) (uncredited)
Fingers at the Window
as Police Lieutenant Schaeffer
Kid Glove Killer
as Keenan - Detective Grilling Eddie (uncredited)
Reap the Wild Wind
as Girl's Father (uncredited)
Ride 'Em Cowboy
as Railroad Detective #2 (uncredited)
No Poster
Treat 'Em Rough
as Joe Trosper
A Yank on the Burma Road
as Police Dispatcher
Bedtime Story
as Hotel Guest in Room 625 (uncredited)
Kathleen
as Moving Man
The Night of January 16th
as Policeman Kelly
I Wake Up Screaming
as Detective (uncredited)
New York Town
as Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
Texas
as Abilene Fight Announcer
Hold Back the Dawn
as Immigration Guard (uncredited)
We Go Fast
as Police Lt. Bardette
Belle Starr
as Sergeant
Manpower
as Orderly About to Give Bath (uncredited)
Affectionately Yours
as Tomassetti
Ziegfeld Girl
as Buck (uncredited)
Ride on Vaquero
as Officer Johnson
Pot o' Gold
as Sheriff Bud Connolly (uncredited)
Pot o' Gold
as Sheriff Bud Connolly
Western Union
as Deputy Sheriff
The Strawberry Blonde
as Ticket Inspector on Boat (uncredited)
Buck Privates
as Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
The Wild Man of Borneo
as Policeman (uncredited)
Four Mothers
as Demolition Man (uncredited)
Tin Pan Alley
as Army Sergeant (uncredited)
Youth Will Be Served
as Buck Miller
The Long Voyage Home
as Dock Policeman
The Devil's Pipeline
as Dowling
North West Mounted Police
as Mountie
Knute Rockne All American
as Army Assistant Coach (uncredited)
The Great Profile
as Detective
Rhythm on the River
as Detective
When the Daltons Rode
as Annabella's Brother
The Golden Fleecing
as Cop (uncredited)
South of Pago Pago
as Cafe Customer
Manhattan Heartbeat
as Truck Driver
The Way of All Flesh
as Policeman
Private Affairs
as Doorman (uncredited)
Queen of the Mob
as Third FBI Director
Lucky Cisco Kid
as Ranch Foreman
The Ghost Breakers
as Hotel Porter (uncredited)
Brother Orchid
as Parking Attendant at Fat Dutchy's (uncredited)
Florian
as Policeman
Girl in 313
as Det. Carvin
La Conga Nights
as Grogin
Hot Steel
as Storm Swenson
Johnny Apollo
as Prison Guard In Library (uncredited)
It All Came True
as Roaring 90's Club Doorman (uncredited)
And One Was Beautiful
as McRafferty
The Grapes of Wrath
as Guard (uncredited)
Women Without Names
as Guard
Double Alibi
as Patrolman Johnson
Castle on the Hudson
as Death Row Guard (uncredited)
Broadway Melody of 1940
as Clancy (uncredited)
The Fighting 69th
as Supply Sergeant (uncredited)
Remember the Night
as Court Attendant (uncredited)
The Cisco Kid and the Lady
as Sergeant
Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President
as Policeman
The Roaring Twenties
as Policeman (uncredited)
Fast and Furious
as Policeman Guarding Entrance (uncredited)
Irish Luck
as Fluger
Each Dawn I Die
as Policeman (uncredited)
They Shall Have Music
as Police Sergeant (uncredited)
When Tomorrow Comes
as Coard Guard Man on Road (uncredited)
They All Come Out
as Officer (uncredited)
Mr. Wong in Chinatown
as Police Sgt. Jerry
Mickey the Kid
as Sanders
Tell No Tales
as Officer Simmons (uncredited)
The Gracie Allen Murder Case
as Turnkey
Union Pacific
as Paddy (uncredited)
Rose of Washington Square
as Guard (uncredited)
Big Town Czar
as George Mitchell
Code of the Streets
as Doorman
Sergeant Madden
as Police Interrogator
Everybody's Baby
as Police Announcer (uncredited)
The Ice Follies of 1939
as Doorman (uncredited)
Jesse James
as Cavalry Captain (uncredited)
The Duke of West Point
as Plebe Hockey Coach
While New York Sleeps
as 2nd Cop
Convicts at Large
as Detective Sgt. Berkovich
Blondie
as Policeman in Accident Car (uncredited)
Lightning Carson Rides Again
as Justice Department Agent
Too Hot to Handle
as Young Reporter (uncredited)
Three Loves Has Nancy
as Jack's Friend (uncredited)
You Can't Take It with You
as Jailer (uncredited)
I Am the Law
as George - Witness (uncredited)
Gateway
as Guard
Wives Under Suspicion
as Jenks (uncredited)
Alexander's Ragtime Band
as Army Captain (uncredited)
Test Pilot
as Pilot (uncredited)
Miracle Money
as Cop (uncredited)
Start Cheering
as Gas Station Attendant
Night Spot
as Kidnapper
Born to Be Wild
as Striker (uncredited)
Mannequin
as Burly Man (Uncredited)
Everybody's Doing It
as Detective Hayes
Big Town Girl
as State Trooper
Live, Love and Learn
as Marine Who Likes Painting (uncredited)
Hot Water
as Policeman (uncredited)
Dangerously Yours
as Driver
My Dear Miss Aldrich
as Dr. Spitzy Calahan (uncredited)
Girls Can Play
as Det. Bill O'Malley
Angel's Holiday
as Detective
I Promise to Pay
as Bill Seaver
Midnight Taxi
as Detective McCormick
You Only Live Once
as State Trooper (uncredited)
Dangerous Number
as Cab Driver
The Luckiest Girl in the World
as Policeman
They Met in a Taxi
as Policeman
My Man Godfrey
as Detective (uncredited)
Charlie Chan at the Race Track
as Detective
How to Behave
as Man in Manhole (uncredited)
One Way Ticket
as Ed
Rendezvous
as 2st Military Policeman (uncredited)
Shipmates Forever
as Lieutenant (uncredited)
Special Agent
as Agent Arresting Julie (uncredited)
Man on the Flying Trapeze
as Chauffeur (uncredited)
Woman Wanted
as Mac - Policeman (uncredited)
The Daring Young Man
as Informant on Telephone
The Murder Man
as Policeman at Merry-Go-Round (uncredited)
Public Hero Number 1
as Flavin - Federal Agent (uncredited)
Chinatown Squad
as Detective
'G' Men
as Agent with Jean (uncredited)
Straight from the Heart
as Policeman
Captain Hurricane
as Freighter Officer
Secrets of Chinatown
as Brandhma
The Brand of Hate
as Holt Larkins
The Affairs of Cellini
as Palace Guard (uncredited)
Baby Take a Bow
as Flannigan
Wild Gold
as Detective (uncredited)
The Big Race
as Bill Figg
Beloved
as Wilcox
Only Yesterday
as Billy (Uncredited)
Ship of Wanted Men
as Frank Busch
Riot Squad
as Det. Mack McCue
Hello, Sister!
as Fireman
King Kong
as Mate Briggs
Air Mail
as Man with Radio Report (uncredited)
The All-American
as Don Lindsay
The Most Dangerous Game
as First Mate on Yacht (uncredited)
Okay, America!
as Undetermined Role (uncredited)
McKenna of the Mounted
as Corporal Randall McKenna
Back Street
as Reporter (uncredited)
The Airmail Mystery
as Bob Lee