Acting
James Flavin
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.
Filmography
The Lost Spider Pit Sequence
Film · 2005
Law and Order
Film · 1976
Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident
Film · 1976
The Brady Bunch
Series · 1969
It Takes a Thief
Series · 1968
In Cold Blood
Film · 1967
Good Times
Film · 1967
The Pruitts of Southampton
Series · 1966
The Further Adventures of Gallegher
Film · 1965
Cheyenne Autumn
Film · 1964
The Addams Family
Series · 1964
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Film · 1963
Critic's Choice
Film · 1963
Burke's Law
Series · 1963
Mr. Novak
Series · 1963
The Lucy Show
Series · 1962
Sam Benedict
Series · 1962
Mister Ed
Series · 1961
Cain's Hundred
Series · 1961
The New Breed
Series · 1961
Dr. Kildare
Series · 1961
Surfside 6
Series · 1960
Pete and Gladys
Series · 1960
Coronado 9
Series · 1960
The Roaring 20's
Series · 1960
Johnny Midnight
Series · 1960
The Twilight Zone
Series · 1959
The Twilight Zone
Series · 1959
Johnny Rocco
Film · 1958
The Last Hurrah
Film · 1958
Man with a Camera
Series · 1958
The Rifleman
Series · 1958
Night Passage
Film · 1957
Wild Is the Wind
Film · 1957
Footsteps in the Night
Film · 1957
Hold That Hypnotist
Film · 1957
The Restless Breed
Film · 1957
The Wings of Eagles
Film · 1957
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
Series · 1957
Alcoa Theatre
Series · 1957
Francis in the Haunted House
Film · 1956
Never Say Goodbye
Film · 1956
State Trooper
Series · 1956
The Naked Street
Film · 1955
Apache Ambush
Film · 1955
Mister Roberts
Film · 1955
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Series · 1955
The Millionaire
Series · 1955
Matinee Theater
Series · 1955
Navy Log
Series · 1955
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Series · 1955
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Series · 1955
Dragonfly Squadron
Film · 1954
Massacre Canyon
Film · 1954
Return of the Dead
Film · 1954
December Bride
Series · 1954
Climax!
Series · 1954
Public Defender
Series · 1954
Confidentially Connie
Film · 1953
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars
Film · 1953
Hot News
Film · 1953
The Eddie Cantor Story
Film · 1953
Trouble Along the Way
Film · 1953
I Beheld His Glory
Film · 1953
Star of Texas
Film · 1953
Fighter Attack
Film · 1953
General Electric Theater
Series · 1953
City Detective
Series · 1953
Letter to Loretta
Series · 1953
General Electric Theater
Series · 1953
Letter to Loretta
Series · 1953
Letter to Loretta
Series · 1953
Here Come the Marines
Film · 1952
Sailor Beware
Film · 1952
O. Henry's Full House
Film · 1952
Carrie
Film · 1952
Million Dollar Mermaid
Film · 1952
As We Forgive
Film · 1952
Cavalcade of America
Series · 1952
Dangerous Assignment
Series · 1952
Four Star Playhouse
Series · 1952
Death Valley Days
Series · 1952
The Abbott and Costello Show
Series · 1952
Follow the Sun
Film · 1951
Operation Pacific
Film · 1951
Oh! Susanna
Film · 1951
According to Mrs. Hoyle
Film · 1951
Fighting Coast Guard
Film · 1951
Rhubarb
Film · 1951
Come Fill the Cup
Film · 1951
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Series · 1951
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Series · 1951
Racket Squad
Series · 1951
The Living Christ
Series · 1951
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Series · 1951
I Love Lucy
Series · 1951
Armored Car Robbery
Film · 1950
Destination Murder
Film · 1950
The Savage Horde
Film · 1950
When Willie Comes Marching Home
Film · 1950
Dakota Lil
Film · 1950
Rock Island Trail
Film · 1950
South Sea Sinner
Film · 1950
Lux Video Theatre
Series · 1950
Lux Video Theatre
Series · 1950
Lux Video Theatre
Series · 1950
Blondie Hits the Jackpot
Film · 1949
The Devil's Henchmen
Film · 1949
Mighty Joe Young
Film · 1949
Homicide
Film · 1949
Flamingo Road
Film · 1949
Prison Warden
Film · 1949
Mississippi Rhythm
Film · 1949
Shockproof
Film · 1949
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff
Film · 1949
My Girl Tisa
Film · 1948
Sleep, My Love
Film · 1948
Bungalow 13
Film · 1948
One Touch of Venus
Film · 1948
The Plunderers
Film · 1948
The Noose Hangs High
Film · 1948
Secret Service Investigator
Film · 1948
The Velvet Touch
Film · 1948
Desert Fury
Film · 1947
Nora Prentiss
Film · 1947
It Happened on Fifth Avenue
Film · 1947
Unconquered
Film · 1947
Robin Hood Of Texas
Film · 1947
Song of the Thin Man
Film · 1947
My Favorite Brunette
Film · 1947
Dishonored Lady
Film · 1947
Joe Palooka in the Knockout
Film · 1947
Nightmare Alley
Film · 1947
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers
Film · 1946
Nobody Lives Forever
Film · 1946
Cloak and Dagger
Film · 1946
The Missing Lady
Film · 1946
Boys' Ranch
Film · 1946
A Stolen Life
Film · 1946
Sentimental Journey
Film · 1946
Angel on My Shoulder
Film · 1946
Easy to Wed
Film · 1946
Tars and Spars
Film · 1946
Rendezvous with Annie
Film · 1946
Young Widow
Film · 1946
Step by Step
Film · 1946
The Shanghai Cobra
Film · 1945
God Is My Co-Pilot
Film · 1945
Anchors Aweigh
Film · 1945
Mildred Pierce
Film · 1945
Circumstantial Evidence
Film · 1945
Murder, He Says
Film · 1945
Over 21
Film · 1945
The Spider
Film · 1945
Johnny Angel
Film · 1945
Hold That Blonde!
Film · 1945
Abroad with Two Yanks
Film · 1944
Christmas Holiday
Film · 1944
Uncertain Glory
Film · 1944
Laura
Film · 1944
Once Upon a Time
Film · 1944
Strange Affair
Film · 1944
Hollywood Canteen
Film · 1944
Mr. Winkle Goes to War
Film · 1944
So Proudly We Hail
Film · 1943
I Dood It
Film · 1943
Murder on the Waterfront
Film · 1943
Air Force
Film · 1943
Thank Your Lucky Stars
Film · 1943
Action in the North Atlantic
Film · 1943
Corvette K-225
Film · 1943
Something to Shout About
Film · 1943
Heaven Can Wait
Film · 1943
Mission to Moscow
Film · 1943
It Ain't Hay
Film · 1943
Riding High
Film · 1943
Swing Shift Maisie
Film · 1943
There's Something About a Soldier
Film · 1943
Fingers at the Window
Film · 1942
Reap the Wild Wind
Film · 1942
A Yank on the Burma Road
Film · 1942
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty
Film · 1942
Treat 'Em Rough
Film · 1942
Saboteur
Film · 1942
Thru Different Eyes
Film · 1942
Gentleman Jim
Film · 1942
Tough as They Come
Film · 1942
Ride 'Em Cowboy
Film · 1942
Ten Gentlemen from West Point
Film · 1942
Night in New Orleans
Film · 1942
Kid Glove Killer
Film · 1942
Broadway
Film · 1942
Manpower
Film · 1941
Kathleen
Film · 1941
Belle Starr
Film · 1941
We Go Fast
Film · 1941
Pot o' Gold
Film · 1941
The Wild Man of Borneo
Film · 1941
Bedtime Story
Film · 1941
Hold Back the Dawn
Film · 1941
The Night of January 16th
Film · 1941
Ride on Vaquero
Film · 1941
Four Mothers
Film · 1941
Western Union
Film · 1941
Texas
Film · 1941
New York Town
Film · 1941
I Wake Up Screaming
Film · 1941
Affectionately Yours
Film · 1941
Buck Privates
Film · 1941
Pot o' Gold
Film · 1941
Ziegfeld Girl
Film · 1941
The Strawberry Blonde
Film · 1941
Youth Will Be Served
Film · 1940
The Devil's Pipeline
Film · 1940
Broadway Melody of 1940
Film · 1940
Manhattan Heartbeat
Film · 1940
Lucky Cisco Kid
Film · 1940
South of Pago Pago
Film · 1940
The Grapes of Wrath
Film · 1940
Remember the Night
Film · 1940
The Fighting 69th
Film · 1940
Brother Orchid
Film · 1940
Johnny Apollo
Film · 1940
When the Daltons Rode
Film · 1940
North West Mounted Police
Film · 1940
Tin Pan Alley
Film · 1940
The Long Voyage Home
Film · 1940
Castle on the Hudson
Film · 1940
It All Came True
Film · 1940
Knute Rockne All American
Film · 1940
Florian
Film · 1940
The Golden Fleecing
Film · 1940
And One Was Beautiful
Film · 1940
Girl in 313
Film · 1940
Rhythm on the River
Film · 1940
The Ghost Breakers
Film · 1940
The Way of All Flesh
Film · 1940
The Great Profile
Film · 1940
Women Without Names
Film · 1940
La Conga Nights
Film · 1940
Double Alibi
Film · 1940
Private Affairs
Film · 1940
Queen of the Mob
Film · 1940
Hot Steel
Film · 1940
Mr. Wong in Chinatown
Film · 1939
The Cisco Kid and the Lady
Film · 1939
They All Come Out
Film · 1939
Irish Luck
Film · 1939
Tell No Tales
Film · 1939
Jesse James
Film · 1939
The Ice Follies of 1939
Film · 1939
Union Pacific
Film · 1939
Rose of Washington Square
Film · 1939
They Shall Have Music
Film · 1939
The Gracie Allen Murder Case
Film · 1939
Each Dawn I Die
Film · 1939
Sergeant Madden
Film · 1939
Fast and Furious
Film · 1939
The Roaring Twenties
Film · 1939
Everybody's Baby
Film · 1939
Code of the Streets
Film · 1939
Big Town Czar
Film · 1939
Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President
Film · 1939
Mickey the Kid
Film · 1939
When Tomorrow Comes
Film · 1939
Three Loves Has Nancy
Film · 1938
Mannequin
Film · 1938
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Film · 1938
Born to Be Wild
Film · 1938
Wives Under Suspicion
Film · 1938
Convicts at Large
Film · 1938
Lightning Carson Rides Again
Film · 1938
While New York Sleeps
Film · 1938
Night Spot
Film · 1938
Blondie
Film · 1938
Everybody's Doing It
Film · 1938
Start Cheering
Film · 1938
You Can't Take It with You
Film · 1938
I Am the Law
Film · 1938
Miracle Money
Film · 1938
Gateway
Film · 1938
The Duke of West Point
Film · 1938
Test Pilot
Film · 1938
Too Hot to Handle
Film · 1938
Girls Can Play
Film · 1937
My Dear Miss Aldrich
Film · 1937
Midnight Taxi
Film · 1937
Live, Love and Learn
Film · 1937
Dangerously Yours
Film · 1937
Big Town Girl
Film · 1937
Angel's Holiday
Film · 1937
Dangerous Number
Film · 1937
Hot Water
Film · 1937
I Promise to Pay
Film · 1937
You Only Live Once
Film · 1937
Charlie Chan at the Race Track
Film · 1936
How to Behave
Film · 1936
They Met in a Taxi
Film · 1936
My Man Godfrey
Film · 1936
The Luckiest Girl in the World
Film · 1936
One Way Ticket
Film · 1935
Man on the Flying Trapeze
Film · 1935
The Murder Man
Film · 1935
Rendezvous
Film · 1935
Woman Wanted
Film · 1935
Secrets of Chinatown
Film · 1935
The Daring Young Man
Film · 1935
Chinatown Squad
Film · 1935
Captain Hurricane
Film · 1935
Shipmates Forever
Film · 1935
Public Hero Number 1
Film · 1935
'G' Men
Film · 1935
Special Agent
Film · 1935
Straight from the Heart
Film · 1935
Wild Gold
Film · 1934
The Brand of Hate
Film · 1934
The Affairs of Cellini
Film · 1934
Baby Take a Bow
Film · 1934
The Big Race
Film · 1934
Beloved
Film · 1934
King Kong
Film · 1933
Riot Squad
Film · 1933
Hello, Sister!
Film · 1933
Ship of Wanted Men
Film · 1933
Only Yesterday
Film · 1933
The Most Dangerous Game
Film · 1932
McKenna of the Mounted
Film · 1932
The Airmail Mystery
Film · 1932
Back Street
Film · 1932
Okay, America!
Film · 1932
The All-American
Film · 1932
Air Mail
Film · 1932