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.
Acted in 320
2000s
- 2005
The Lost Spider Pit Sequence
Second Mate Briggs (archive footage)
1970s
- 1976
Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Law and Order
Capt. Toomey
1960s
- 1969
- 1968
- 1967
Good Times
Lieutenant
- 1966
The Pruitts of Southampton
TV
- 1965
The Further Adventures of Gallegher
Lt. Flynn
- 1964
Cheyenne Autumn
Ft. Robinson Sergeant of the Guard (uncredited)
- 1963
Critic's Choice
Security Guard (uncredited)
- 1962
- 1961
- 1960
Coronado 9
TV
Johnny Midnight
TV
1950s
- 1959
- 1958
The Last Hurrah
Police Capt. Michael J. Shanahan (uncredited)
Johnny Rocco
Mooney
Man with a Camera
TV
- 1957
Wild Is the Wind
Wool Buyer
Footsteps in the Night
Mr. Bradbury
Hold That Hypnotist
Jake Morgan
The Wings of Eagles
MP at Garden Party (uncredited)
- 1956
Francis in the Haunted House
Police Chief Martin
Never Say Goodbye
Timmy
- 1955
Apache Ambush
Col. Marshall
- 1954
Return of the Dead
Judd Harrison
Massacre Canyon
Col. Tarant
Dragonfly Squadron
Doctor
- 1953
The Eddie Cantor Story
Kelly
Fighter Attack
Col. Allison
Hot News
Al Bragg
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars
First Policeman in Bank
I Beheld His Glory
Longinus
Confidentially Connie
Harry (uncredited)
General Electric Theater
Callahan · 1 episode
Star of Texas
Texas Rangers Capt. Sturdivant
- 1952
Million Dollar Mermaid
Conductor
Death Valley Days
Perry · 1 episode
Here Come the Marines
Lieutenant-Colonel at End
Sailor Beware
Petty Officer (uncredited)
- 1951
Come Fill the Cup
Russ - Homicide Captain (uncredited)
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
TV
Rhubarb
O'Leary, Manhattan Police Chief (uncredited)
Fighting Coast Guard
Commander Rogers
Follow the Sun
Henry Gibbs
According to Mrs. Hoyle
Prosecuting Attorney
- 1950
South Sea Sinner
Andrews
Destination Murder
Police Lt. Brewster
Armored Car Robbery
Lt. Phillips
When Willie Comes Marching Home
Gen. Brevort (uncredited)
Dakota Lil
Secret Service Chief
1940s
- 1949
The Devil's Henchmen
Police Sergeant Briggs
Blondie Hits the Jackpot
Brophy
Mighty Joe Young
Schultz
Mississippi Rhythm
Stan Caldwell
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff
Insp. Wellman
Homicide
Det. Lt. Boylan
Shockproof
Policeman in Park (Uncredited)
- 1948
Bungalow 13
Lt. Sam Wilson
One Touch of Venus
Kerrigan
The Velvet Touch
Sgt. Oliphant
Secret Service Investigator
Police Inspector Thorndyke
My Girl Tisa
Guard (uncredited)
- 1947
Joe Palooka in the Knockout
Policeman
Desert Fury
Pat Johnson
- 1946
Cloak and Dagger
Col. Walsh
Step by Step
Woods
The Missing Lady
Police Insp. Cardona
Easy to Wed
Joe
Rendezvous with Annie
Turnkey (uncredited)
A Stolen Life
Investigator (uncredited)
Young Widow
Subway Conductor (Uncredited)
Tars and Spars
Chief Bosun Mate Gurney
- 1945
The Spider
Officer Johnny Tracy
Hold That Blonde!
Laundry Truck Driver (uncredited)
Johnny Angel
Flavin, Mate of the Quincy (uncredited)
Over 21
Captain (uncredited)
Murder, He Says
Police Officer (uncredited)
Circumstantial Evidence
Guard
God Is My Co-Pilot
Major at Kweilin Airbase (uncredited)
- 1944
Hollywood Canteen
Marine Sergeant (uncredited)
Strange Affair
Bank Security Guard (uncredited)
Abroad with Two Yanks
Sgt. Wiggins
Mr. Winkle Goes to War
Movie
Once Upon a Time
Man in Subway (uncredited)
Uncertain Glory
Captain of Mobile Guard
- 1943
There's Something About a Soldier
Movie
Riding High
Train Conductor
Swing Shift Maisie
Radio Policeman (Uncredited)
Footlight Glamour
Mr. Phillips (uncredited)
Corvette K-225
1st Lt. Bill Gardner
Murder on the Waterfront
Cmdr. Kalin
So Proudly We Hail
Captain O'Brien (Uncredited)
I Dood It
Federal Agent (uncredited)
Action in the North Atlantic
Merchant Marine School Lieutenant-Commander (uncredited)
Mission to Moscow
American Senator (uncredited)
Air Force
Maj. A.M. Bagley
Something to Shout About
Policeman
- 1942
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty
Policeman
Night in New Orleans
Egan (uncredited)
Ten Gentlemen from West Point
Capt. Luddy
Thru Different Eyes
Thomas
Broadway
Doorman (uncredited)
Fingers at the Window
Police Lieutenant Schaeffer
Kid Glove Killer
Keenan - Detective Grilling Eddie (uncredited)
Ride 'Em Cowboy
Railroad Detective #2 (uncredited)
A Yank on the Burma Road
Police Dispatcher
- 1941
Bedtime Story
Hotel Guest in Room 625 (uncredited)
Kathleen
Moving Man
The Night of January 16th
Policeman Kelly
New York Town
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
I Wake Up Screaming
Detective (uncredited)
Hold Back the Dawn
Immigration Guard (uncredited)
We Go Fast
Police Lt. Bardette
Manpower
Orderly About to Give Bath (uncredited)
Affectionately Yours
Tomassetti
Ride on Vaquero
Officer Johnson
Buck Privates
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
The Wild Man of Borneo
Policeman (uncredited)
Four Mothers
Demolition Man (uncredited)
- 1940
Tin Pan Alley
Army Sergeant (uncredited)
Youth Will Be Served
Buck Miller
The Devil's Pipeline
Dowling
The Great Profile
Detective
Rhythm on the River
Detective
When the Daltons Rode
Annabella's Brother
The Golden Fleecing
Cop (uncredited)
South of Pago Pago
Cafe Customer
Manhattan Heartbeat
Truck Driver
The Way of All Flesh
Policeman
Private Affairs
Doorman (uncredited)
Lucky Cisco Kid
Ranch Foreman
Queen of the Mob
Third FBI Director
Brother Orchid
Parking Attendant at Fat Dutchy's (uncredited)
Florian
Policeman
Girl in 313
Det. Carvin
La Conga Nights
Grogin
Hot Steel
Storm Swenson
Johnny Apollo
Prison Guard In Library (uncredited)
And One Was Beautiful
McRafferty
Women Without Names
Guard
Double Alibi
Patrolman Johnson
Castle on the Hudson
Death Row Guard (uncredited)
Broadway Melody of 1940
Clancy (uncredited)
1930s
- 1939
The Cisco Kid and the Lady
Sergeant
Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President
Policeman
Fast and Furious
Policeman Guarding Entrance (uncredited)
Irish Luck
Fluger
They Shall Have Music
Police Sergeant (uncredited)
When Tomorrow Comes
Coard Guard Man on Road (uncredited)
They All Come Out
Officer (uncredited)
Mickey the Kid
Sanders
Tell No Tales
Officer Simmons (uncredited)
The Gracie Allen Murder Case
Turnkey
Rose of Washington Square
Guard (uncredited)
Big Town Czar
George Mitchell
Code of the Streets
Doorman
Sergeant Madden
Police Interrogator
Everybody's Baby
Police Announcer (uncredited)
The Ice Follies of 1939
Doorman (uncredited)
- 1938
The Duke of West Point
Plebe Hockey Coach
While New York Sleeps
2nd Cop
Convicts at Large
Detective Sgt. Berkovich
Lightning Carson Rides Again
Justice Department Agent
Gateway
Guard
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Army Captain (uncredited)
Miracle Money
Cop (uncredited)
Night Spot
Kidnapper
Mannequin
Burly Man (Uncredited)
Everybody's Doing It
Detective Hayes
- 1937
Big Town Girl
State Trooper
Live, Love and Learn
Marine Who Likes Painting (uncredited)
Hot Water
Policeman (uncredited)
Dangerously Yours
Driver
My Dear Miss Aldrich
Dr. Spitzy Calahan (uncredited)
Girls Can Play
Det. Bill O'Malley
Angel's Holiday
Detective
I Promise to Pay
Bill Seaver
Midnight Taxi
Detective McCormick
Dangerous Number
Cab Driver
- 1936
The Luckiest Girl in the World
Policeman
They Met in a Taxi
Policeman
Charlie Chan at the Race Track
Detective
How to Behave
Man in Manhole (uncredited)
- 1935
One Way Ticket
Ed
Rendezvous
2st Military Policeman (uncredited)
Shipmates Forever
Lieutenant (uncredited)
Special Agent
Agent Arresting Julie (uncredited)
Man on the Flying Trapeze
Chauffeur (uncredited)
Woman Wanted
Mac - Policeman (uncredited)
The Daring Young Man
Informant on Telephone
The Murder Man
Policeman at Merry-Go-Round (uncredited)
Chinatown Squad
Detective
Public Hero Number 1
Flavin - Federal Agent (uncredited)
'G' Men
Agent with Jean (uncredited)
Straight from the Heart
Policeman
Secrets of Chinatown
Brandhma
- 1934
The Affairs of Cellini
Palace Guard (uncredited)
Wild Gold
Detective (uncredited)
The Big Race
Bill Figg
Beloved
Wilcox
- 1933
Only Yesterday
Billy (Uncredited)
Ship of Wanted Men
Frank Busch
Riot Squad
Det. Mack McCue
Hello, Sister!
Fireman
- 1932
Air Mail
Man with Radio Report (uncredited)
The All-American
Don Lindsay
Okay, America!
Undetermined Role (uncredited)
McKenna of the Mounted
Corporal Randall McKenna
Back Street
Reporter (uncredited)
The Airmail Mystery
Bob Lee
