James Flavin
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- May 14, 1906
- Died
- April 23, 1976 (aged 69)
- Birthplace
- Portland, Maine, USA
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 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.
Known For
Photos
Filmography
The Lost Spider Pit Sequence
Movie · as Second Mate Briggs (archive footage)
Law and Order
Movie · as Capt. Toomey
Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident
Movie · as President Dwight D. Eisenhower
The Brady Bunch
TV · 1 ep
It Takes a Thief
TV · as Gen. Levin · 2 eps
In Cold Blood
Movie · as Clarence Duntz
Good Times
Movie · as Lieutenant
The Pruitts of Southampton
TV · 1 ep
The Further Adventures of Gallegher
Movie · as Lt. Flynn
Cheyenne Autumn
Movie · as Ft. Robinson Sergeant of the Guard (uncredited)
The Addams Family
TV · as Lt. Poston · 1 ep
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Movie · as Patrolman (uncredited)
Critic's Choice
Movie · as Security Guard (uncredited)
Burke's Law
TV · as Officer Danny Robin · 1 ep
Mr. Novak
TV · as Fire Chief Hawkins · 1 ep
The Lucy Show
TV · as Sergeant Wilcox · 2 eps
Sam Benedict
TV · 1 ep
Mister Ed
TV · 7 eps
Cain's Hundred
TV · as Arnie Kellwin · 1 ep
The New Breed
TV · as Moose · 1 ep
Dr. Kildare
TV · as John Dolan · 2 eps
Surfside 6
TV · 1 ep
Pete and Gladys
TV · 2 eps
Coronado 9
TV · 1 ep
The Roaring 20's
TV · as Robert Howard · 14 eps
Johnny Midnight
TV · 1 ep
The Twilight Zone
TV · as 1962 Policeman, Truck Driver · 1 ep
Johnny Rocco
Movie · as Mooney
The Last Hurrah
Movie · as Police Capt. Michael J. Shanahan (uncredited)
Man with a Camera
TV · 29 eps
The Rifleman
TV · 1 ep
Night Passage
Movie · as Tim Riley
Wild Is the Wind
Movie · as Wool Buyer
Footsteps in the Night
Movie · as Mr. Bradbury
Hold That Hypnotist
Movie · as Jake Morgan
The Restless Breed
Movie · as Secret Service Chief
The Wings of Eagles
Movie · as MP at Garden Party (uncredited)
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
TV · as Sam Cooper · 1 ep
Alcoa Theatre
TV · as Gavin Marshall · 1 ep
Francis in the Haunted House
Movie · as Police Chief Martin
Never Say Goodbye
Movie · as Timmy
State Trooper
TV · as Police Capt. Daniel Box · 1 ep
The Naked Street
Movie · as Attorney Michael X. Flanders
Apache Ambush
Movie · as Col. Marshall
Mister Roberts
Movie · as Military Policeman
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
TV · as Joe Felix, Tony - The Doorman, Dan · 1 ep
The Millionaire
TV · as Dan Mulcahy · 1 ep
Matinee Theater
TV · 1 ep
Navy Log
TV · as Col. Flynn · 2 eps
Dragonfly Squadron
Movie · as Doctor
Massacre Canyon
Movie · as Col. Tarant
Return of the Dead
Movie · as Judd Harrison
December Bride
TV · 2 eps
Climax!
TV · as Hogan · 1 ep
Public Defender
TV · 1 ep
Confidentially Connie
Movie · as Harry (uncredited)
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars
Movie · as First Policeman in Bank
Hot News
Movie · as Al Bragg
The Eddie Cantor Story
Movie · as Kelly
Trouble Along the Way
Movie · as Coach Buck Holman
I Beheld His Glory
Movie · as Longinus
Star of Texas
Movie · as Texas Rangers Capt. Sturdivant
Fighter Attack
Movie · as Col. Allison
General Electric Theater
TV · as Callahan · 1 ep
City Detective
TV · 1 ep
Letter to Loretta
TV · as MacNamara, Deputy Mason, Sgt. Danny Doofle · 1 ep
Here Come the Marines
Movie · as Lieutenant-Colonel at End
Sailor Beware
Movie · as Petty Officer (uncredited)
O. Henry's Full House
Movie · as Cop (segment "The Cop and the Anthem") (uncredited)
Carrie
Movie · as Mike - Bartender (uncredited)
Million Dollar Mermaid
Movie · as Conductor
As We Forgive
Movie
Cavalcade of America
TV · 2 eps
Dangerous Assignment
TV · 2 eps
Four Star Playhouse
TV · as Mr. Swanson · 1 ep
Death Valley Days
TV · as Perry · 1 ep
The Abbott and Costello Show
TV · as Joe Kelly · 1 ep
Follow the Sun
Movie · as Henry Gibbs
Operation Pacific
Movie · as SP Commander
Oh! Susanna
Movie · as Capt. Worth
According to Mrs. Hoyle
Movie · as Prosecuting Attorney
Fighting Coast Guard
Movie · as Commander Rogers
Rhubarb
Movie · as O'Leary, Manhattan Police Chief (uncredited)
Come Fill the Cup
Movie · as Russ - Homicide Captain (uncredited)
Hallmark Hall of Fame
TV · as Captain Kimble, General Charles Lee · 1 ep
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
TV · 1 ep
Racket Squad
TV · 2 eps
The Living Christ
TV · as Longinus · 12 eps
I Love Lucy
TV · as Immigration Officer · 1 ep
Armored Car Robbery
Movie · as Lt. Phillips
Destination Murder
Movie · as Police Lt. Brewster
The Savage Horde
Movie · as Guard
When Willie Comes Marching Home
Movie · as Gen. Brevort (uncredited)
Dakota Lil
Movie · as Secret Service Chief
Rock Island Trail
Movie · as Railroad Workman
South Sea Sinner
Movie · as Andrews
Lux Video Theatre
TV · as Steve, Heineman, Detective · 1 ep
Blondie Hits the Jackpot
Movie · as Brophy
The Devil's Henchmen
Movie · as Police Sergeant Briggs
Mighty Joe Young
Movie · as Schultz
Homicide
Movie · as Det. Lt. Boylan
Flamingo Road
Movie
Prison Warden
Movie · as Guard Capt. Peter Butler
Mississippi Rhythm
Movie · as Stan Caldwell
Shockproof
Movie · as Policeman in Park (Uncredited)
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff
Movie · as Insp. Wellman
My Girl Tisa
Movie · as Guard (uncredited)
Sleep, My Love
Movie · as Lieutenant Mitchell
Bungalow 13
Movie · as Lt. Sam Wilson
One Touch of Venus
Movie · as Kerrigan
The Plunderers
Movie · as Sergeant Major
The Noose Hangs High
Movie · as Traffic Cop (uncredited)
Secret Service Investigator
Movie · as Police Inspector Thorndyke
The Velvet Touch
Movie · as Sgt. Oliphant
Desert Fury
Movie · as Pat Johnson
Nora Prentiss
Movie · as District Attorney
It Happened on Fifth Avenue
Movie · as First Policeman (uncredited)
Unconquered
Movie · as Villager (uncredited)
Robin Hood Of Texas
Movie · as Captain Danforth
Song of the Thin Man
Movie · as Policeman Reardon (uncredited)
My Favorite Brunette
Movie · as Det. Lt. 'Mac' Hennessey (uncredited)
Dishonored Lady
Movie · as Police Sergeant Patella
Joe Palooka in the Knockout
Movie · as Policeman
Nightmare Alley
Movie · as Hoatley / First Carnival Owner (uncredited)
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers
Movie · as Police Detective #1
Nobody Lives Forever
Movie · as Shake Thomas
Cloak and Dagger
Movie · as Col. Walsh
The Missing Lady
Movie · as Police Insp. Cardona
Boys' Ranch
Movie · as Policeman (uncredited)
A Stolen Life
Movie · as Investigator (uncredited)
Sentimental Journey
Movie · as Detective Sgt. McFarland (uncredited)
Angel on My Shoulder
Movie · as Dan Bellamy
Easy to Wed
Movie · as Joe
Tars and Spars
Movie · as Chief Bosun Mate Gurney
Rendezvous with Annie
Movie · as Turnkey (uncredited)
Young Widow
Movie · as Subway Conductor (Uncredited)
Step by Step
Movie · as Woods
The Shanghai Cobra
Movie · as H.R. Jarvis
God Is My Co-Pilot
Movie · as Major at Kweilin Airbase (uncredited)
Anchors Aweigh
Movie · as Radio Cop
Mildred Pierce
Movie · as Detective (uncredited)
Circumstantial Evidence
Movie · as Guard
Murder, He Says
Movie · as Police Officer (uncredited)
Over 21
Movie · as Captain (uncredited)
The Spider
Movie · as Officer Johnny Tracy
Johnny Angel
Movie · as Flavin, Mate of the Quincy (uncredited)
Hold That Blonde!
Movie · as Laundry Truck Driver (uncredited)
Abroad with Two Yanks
Movie · as Sgt. Wiggins
Christmas Holiday
Movie · as Policeman (uncredited)
Uncertain Glory
Movie · as Captain of Mobile Guard
Laura
Movie · as Det. McEveety (uncredited)
Once Upon a Time
Movie · as Man in Subway (uncredited)
Strange Affair
Movie · as Bank Security Guard (uncredited)
Hollywood Canteen
Movie · as Marine Sergeant (uncredited)
Mr. Winkle Goes to War
Movie
So Proudly We Hail
Movie · as Captain O'Brien (Uncredited)
I Dood It
Movie · as Federal Agent (uncredited)
Murder on the Waterfront
Movie · as Cmdr. Kalin
Air Force
Movie · as Maj. A.M. Bagley
Thank Your Lucky Stars
Movie · as Policeman (uncredited)
Action in the North Atlantic
Movie · as Merchant Marine School Lieutenant-Commander (uncredited)
Corvette K-225
Movie · as 1st Lt. Bill Gardner
Something to Shout About
Movie · as Policeman
Heaven Can Wait
Movie · as Policeman (uncredited)
Mission to Moscow
Movie · as American Senator (uncredited)
It Ain't Hay
Movie · as Cop (uncredited)
Riding High
Movie · as Train Conductor
Swing Shift Maisie
Movie · as Radio Policeman (Uncredited)
There's Something About a Soldier
Movie
Footlight Glamour
Movie · as Mr. Phillips (uncredited)
Fingers at the Window
Movie · as Police Lieutenant Schaeffer
Reap the Wild Wind
Movie · as Girl's Father (uncredited)
A Yank on the Burma Road
Movie · as Police Dispatcher
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty
Movie · as Policeman
Treat 'Em Rough
Movie · as Joe Trosper
Saboteur
Movie · as Motorcycle Cop (voice) (uncredited)
Thru Different Eyes
Movie · as Thomas
Gentleman Jim
Movie · as George Corbett (uncredited)
Tough as They Come
Movie · as Process Server
Ride 'Em Cowboy
Movie · as Railroad Detective #2 (uncredited)
Ten Gentlemen from West Point
Movie · as Capt. Luddy
Night in New Orleans
Movie · as Egan (uncredited)
Kid Glove Killer
Movie · as Keenan - Detective Grilling Eddie (uncredited)
Broadway
Movie · as Doorman (uncredited)
Manpower
Movie · as Orderly About to Give Bath (uncredited)
Kathleen
Movie · as Moving Man
Belle Starr
Movie · as Sergeant
We Go Fast
Movie · as Police Lt. Bardette
Pot o' Gold
Movie · as Sheriff Bud Connolly (uncredited)
The Wild Man of Borneo
Movie · as Policeman (uncredited)
Bedtime Story
Movie · as Hotel Guest in Room 625 (uncredited)
Hold Back the Dawn
Movie · as Immigration Guard (uncredited)
The Night of January 16th
Movie · as Policeman Kelly
Ride on Vaquero
Movie · as Officer Johnson
Four Mothers
Movie · as Demolition Man (uncredited)
Western Union
Movie · as Deputy Sheriff
Texas
Movie · as Abilene Fight Announcer
New York Town
Movie · as Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
I Wake Up Screaming
Movie · as Detective (uncredited)
Affectionately Yours
Movie · as Tomassetti
Buck Privates
Movie · as Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
Ziegfeld Girl
Movie · as Buck (uncredited)
The Strawberry Blonde
Movie · as Ticket Inspector on Boat (uncredited)
Youth Will Be Served
Movie · as Buck Miller
The Devil's Pipeline
Movie · as Dowling
Broadway Melody of 1940
Movie · as Clancy (uncredited)
Manhattan Heartbeat
Movie · as Truck Driver
Lucky Cisco Kid
Movie · as Ranch Foreman
South of Pago Pago
Movie · as Cafe Customer
The Grapes of Wrath
Movie · as Guard (uncredited)
Remember the Night
Movie · as Court Attendant (uncredited)
The Fighting 69th
Movie · as Supply Sergeant (uncredited)
Brother Orchid
Movie · as Parking Attendant at Fat Dutchy's (uncredited)
Johnny Apollo
Movie · as Prison Guard In Library (uncredited)
When the Daltons Rode
Movie · as Annabella's Brother
North West Mounted Police
Movie · as Mountie
Tin Pan Alley
Movie · as Army Sergeant (uncredited)
The Long Voyage Home
Movie · as Dock Policeman
Castle on the Hudson
Movie · as Death Row Guard (uncredited)
It All Came True
Movie · as Roaring 90's Club Doorman (uncredited)
Knute Rockne All American
Movie · as Army Assistant Coach (uncredited)
Florian
Movie · as Policeman
The Golden Fleecing
Movie · as Cop (uncredited)
And One Was Beautiful
Movie · as McRafferty
Girl in 313
Movie · as Det. Carvin
The Ghost Breakers
Movie · as Hotel Porter (uncredited)
Rhythm on the River
Movie · as Detective
The Way of All Flesh
Movie · as Policeman
The Great Profile
Movie · as Detective
Women Without Names
Movie · as Guard
La Conga Nights
Movie · as Grogin
Double Alibi
Movie · as Patrolman Johnson
Private Affairs
Movie · as Doorman (uncredited)
Queen of the Mob
Movie · as Third FBI Director
Hot Steel
Movie · as Storm Swenson
Mr. Wong in Chinatown
Movie · as Police Sgt. Jerry
The Cisco Kid and the Lady
Movie · as Sergeant
They All Come Out
Movie · as Officer (uncredited)
Irish Luck
Movie · as Fluger
Tell No Tales
Movie · as Officer Simmons (uncredited)
Jesse James
Movie · as Cavalry Captain (uncredited)
The Ice Follies of 1939
Movie · as Doorman (uncredited)
Union Pacific
Movie · as Paddy (uncredited)
Rose of Washington Square
Movie · as Guard (uncredited)
They Shall Have Music
Movie · as Police Sergeant (uncredited)
The Gracie Allen Murder Case
Movie · as Turnkey
Each Dawn I Die
Movie · as Policeman (uncredited)
Sergeant Madden
Movie · as Police Interrogator
Fast and Furious
Movie · as Policeman Guarding Entrance (uncredited)
The Roaring Twenties
Movie · as Policeman (uncredited)
Everybody's Baby
Movie · as Police Announcer (uncredited)
Code of the Streets
Movie · as Doorman
Big Town Czar
Movie · as George Mitchell
Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President
Movie · as Policeman
Mickey the Kid
Movie · as Sanders
When Tomorrow Comes
Movie · as Coard Guard Man on Road (uncredited)
Three Loves Has Nancy
Movie · as Jack's Friend (uncredited)
Mannequin
Movie · as Burly Man (Uncredited)
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Movie · as Army Captain (uncredited)
Born to Be Wild
Movie · as Striker (uncredited)
Wives Under Suspicion
Movie · as Jenks (uncredited)
Convicts at Large
Movie · as Detective Sgt. Berkovich
Lightning Carson Rides Again
Movie · as Justice Department Agent
While New York Sleeps
Movie · as 2nd Cop
Blondie
Movie · as Policeman in Accident Car (uncredited)
Night Spot
Movie · as Kidnapper
Everybody's Doing It
Movie · as Detective Hayes
Start Cheering
Movie · as Gas Station Attendant
You Can't Take It with You
Movie · as Jailer (uncredited)
I Am the Law
Movie · as George - Witness (uncredited)
Miracle Money
Movie · as Cop (uncredited)
Gateway
Movie · as Guard
The Duke of West Point
Movie · as Plebe Hockey Coach
Test Pilot
Movie · as Pilot (uncredited)
Too Hot to Handle
Movie · as Young Reporter (uncredited)
Girls Can Play
Movie · as Det. Bill O'Malley
My Dear Miss Aldrich
Movie · as Dr. Spitzy Calahan (uncredited)
Midnight Taxi
Movie · as Detective McCormick
Live, Love and Learn
Movie · as Marine Who Likes Painting (uncredited)
Dangerously Yours
Movie · as Driver
Big Town Girl
Movie · as State Trooper
Angel's Holiday
Movie · as Detective
Dangerous Number
Movie · as Cab Driver
Hot Water
Movie · as Policeman (uncredited)
I Promise to Pay
Movie · as Bill Seaver
You Only Live Once
Movie · as State Trooper (uncredited)
Charlie Chan at the Race Track
Movie · as Detective
How to Behave
Movie · as Man in Manhole (uncredited)
They Met in a Taxi
Movie · as Policeman
My Man Godfrey
Movie · as Detective (uncredited)
The Luckiest Girl in the World
Movie · as Policeman
One Way Ticket
Movie · as Ed
Man on the Flying Trapeze
Movie · as Chauffeur (uncredited)
The Murder Man
Movie · as Policeman at Merry-Go-Round (uncredited)
Rendezvous
Movie · as 2st Military Policeman (uncredited)
Woman Wanted
Movie · as Mac - Policeman (uncredited)
Secrets of Chinatown
Movie · as Brandhma
The Daring Young Man
Movie · as Informant on Telephone
Chinatown Squad
Movie · as Detective
Captain Hurricane
Movie · as Freighter Officer
Shipmates Forever
Movie · as Lieutenant (uncredited)
'G' Men
Movie · as Agent with Jean (uncredited)
Public Hero Number 1
Movie · as Flavin - Federal Agent (uncredited)
Special Agent
Movie · as Agent Arresting Julie (uncredited)
Straight from the Heart
Movie · as Policeman
Wild Gold
Movie · as Detective (uncredited)
The Brand of Hate
Movie · as Holt Larkins
The Affairs of Cellini
Movie · as Palace Guard (uncredited)
Baby Take a Bow
Movie · as Flannigan
The Big Race
Movie · as Bill Figg
Beloved
Movie · as Wilcox
King Kong
Movie · as Mate Briggs
Riot Squad
Movie · as Det. Mack McCue
Hello, Sister!
Movie · as Fireman
Ship of Wanted Men
Movie · as Frank Busch
Only Yesterday
Movie · as Billy (Uncredited)
The Most Dangerous Game
Movie · as First Mate on Yacht (uncredited)
McKenna of the Mounted
Movie · as Corporal Randall McKenna
The Airmail Mystery
Movie · as Bob Lee
Back Street
Movie · as Reporter (uncredited)
Okay, America!
Movie · as Undetermined Role (uncredited)
The All-American
Movie · as Don Lindsay
Air Mail
Movie · as Man with Radio Report (uncredited)