Biography
Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr. (December 9, 1909 – May 7, 2000) was an American actor, producer, and decorated naval officer of World War II. The son of silent film star Douglas Fairbanks and stepson of Mary Pickford, he established his own successful career in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s, becoming known for his charm, sophistication, and versatility in both romantic comedies and adventure films. Among his most notable films are The Prisoner of Zenda (1937), Gunga Din (1939), Little Caesar (1931), and The Corsican Brothers (1941). He also appeared opposite many of the era’s leading actresses, including Katharine Hepburn, Joan Crawford, Loretta Young, Rita Hayworth, and Paulette Goddard. During World War II, Fairbanks served with distinction in the United States Navy, helping develop military deception and special operations techniques. For his wartime service, he received numerous decorations from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and several other nations. After the war, he continued acting in films and television while also becoming a respected producer and public figure. Fairbanks remains remembered as one of Hollywood’s most elegant leading men and among the few major stars to achieve distinction both on screen and in military service. In 1969, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the International Best Dressed List.
Acted in 86
1980s
- 1989
B.L. Stryker
White · 1 episode
- 1986
Strong Medicine
Eli Camperdown · 2 episodes
Strong Medicine
Eli Camperdown
- 1981
- 1980
From Raquel with Love
The Almighty
The Hostage Tower
Malcolm Philpott
1970s
- 1977
- 1972
The Crooked Hearts
Rex Willoughby
1960s
- 1968
Red and Blue
Millionaire
The Legend of Robin Hood
King Richard
Red, White, and Zero
Millionaire
- 1966
- 1961
- 1960
1950s
- 1951
Mr. Drake's Duck
Donald 'Don' Drake
- 1950
1940s
- 1949
The Fighting O'Flynn
The O'Flynn
- 1948
That Lady in Ermine
Colonel Ladislas Karolyi Teglas / The Duke
- 1947
The Exile
Charles II
Sinbad the Sailor
Sinbad
- 1942
- 1940
Angels Over Broadway
Bill O'Brien
Safari
Jim Logan
Green Hell
Keith Brandon
1930s
- 1939
Rulers of the Sea
David 'Davie' Gillespie
The Sun Never Sets
John Randolph
- 1938
Having Wonderful Time
Chick Kirkland
Joy of Living
Daniel 'Dan' Brewster
- 1937
Jump for Glory
Ricky Morgan
- 1936
Accused
Tony Seymour
The Amateur Gentleman
John Beverley aka Barnabas Barty
- 1935
Man of the Moment
Tony Woodward
- 1934
Success at Any Price
Joe Martin
- 1933
Captured!
Lieutenant Fred Digby
Morning Glory
Joseph Sheridan
The Narrow Corner
Fred Blake
The Life of Jimmy Dolan
Jimmy
- 1932
Scarlet Dawn
Baron Nikita 'Nikki' Krasnoff
Love is a Racket
James 'Jimmy' Russell
Union Depot
Charles 'Chick' Miller
- 1931
I Like Your Nerve
Larry O'Brien
Chances
Jack Ingleside
The Stolen Jools
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
The Aviator
Alain
- 1930
One Night at Susie's
Dick Rollins
Outward Bound
Henry
The Way of All Men
Billy Bear
Little Accident
Norman Overbeck
The Dawn Patrol
Douglas 'Doug' Scott
Loose Ankles
Gil
Party Girl
Jay Rountree
1920s
- 1929
The Show of Shows
Ambrose in 'Bicycle Built for Two' Number (uncredited)
The Forward Pass
Marty Reid
The Careless Age
Wyn
Our Modern Maidens
Gil Jordan
Fast Life
Douglas Stratton
The Jazz Age
Steve Maxwell
- 1928
The Barker
Chris Miller
The Toilers
Steve
Modern Mothers
David Starke
The Garden of Eden
Busboy (uncredited)
Dead Man's Curve
Vernon Keith
- 1927
A Texas Steer
Farleigh Bright
Is Zat So?
G. Clifton Blackburn
Women Love Diamonds
Jerry Croker-Kelley
Man Bait
Jeff Sanford
- 1926
Broken Hearts of Hollywood
Hal Terwilliger
Padlocked
Sonny Galloway
The American Venus
Triton
- 1925
Stella Dallas
Richard Grosvenor
Wild Horse Mesa
Chess Weymer
The Air Mail
Sandy
- 1923
Stephen Steps Out
Stephen Harlow Jr.
- 1921
The Three Musketeers
(uncredited)
1910s
- 1916
American Aristocracy
Newsboy (uncredited)
Produced 11
1950s
- 1958
Chase a Crooked Shadow
Producer
- 1956
The Silken Affair
Executive Producer
- 1955
Police Dog
Producer
- 1951
Mr. Drake's Duck
Producer
- 1950
1940s
- 1949
The Fighting O'Flynn
Producer
- 1947
The Exile
Producer
- 1940
Angels Over Broadway
Associate Producer
1930s
- 1937
Jump for Glory
Producer
- 1936
Accused
Producer
The Amateur Gentleman
Producer
Wrote 2
1940s
- 1949
The Fighting O'Flynn
Writer
- 1947
The Exile
Writer
Other crew 1
1930s
- 1932
Scarlet Dawn
Additional Dialogue
Appearances63
2020s
- 2024
Marlene Dietrich: Home Movies
Self
- 2021
2000s
- 2009
1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
Self (archive footage)
- 2008
ZEITENBLICKE- Jetzt ist Hallstatt Zeit
Self
Mary Pickford: The Muse of the Movies
Self (archive footage)
- 2005
Little Caesar: End of Rico, Beginning of the Antihero
Self (archive footage)
- 2002
Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Movie Star
Self (archive footage)
- 2001
Goldwyn: The Man and His Movies
Self (archive footage)
- 2000
Mary Pickford: A Life on Film
Self
1990s
- 1998
Star Power: The Creation Of United Artists
Self
- 1996
Joan Crawford: Always the Star
Self (archive footage)
The Battle Over Citizen Kane
Self
- 1990
Vivien Leigh: Scarlett and Beyond
Self
You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story
Self
Night of 100 Stars III
Self
1980s
- 1988
- 1987
The Dame Edna Experience
Self · 1 episode
- 1985
- 1983
The Mikado
Self
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
La Belle Epoque
Self / Narrator
- 1982
Laurence Olivier: A Life
Self
Yesteryear
Self · 1 episode
Trial by Jury
Self - Host
Cox and Box
Self - Host
H.M.S. Pinafore
Self - Host
The Pirates of Penzance
Self - Host
The Gondoliers
Self - Host
Iolanthe
Self - Host
Night of 100 Stars
Self
- 1980
Hollywood
Self · 5 episodes
1970s
- 1978
The Art of Film: Vintage Hitchcock
Narrator
- 1974
- 1973
- 1971
1960s
- 1968
- 1967
The Funniest Man in the World
Narrator
- 1962
- 1961
1950s
- 1958
Chase a Crooked Shadow
Self - Epilogue (uncredited)
- 1956
- 1954
The Awakening
Self - Host
- 1953
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents
Self - Host · 1 episode
- 1950
The Costume Designer
Self (archive footage)
1940s
- 1948
- 1940
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
Self
1930s
- 1938
Hollywood Goes to Town
Self
- 1932
Hollywood on Parade No. A-3
Self
Hollywood on Parade No. A-1
Self
- 1931
How I Play Golf, by Bobby Jones No. 10: 'Trouble Shots'
Self - Golfer (uncredited)
- 1930
Screen Snapshots Series 10, No. 1
Self
An Intimate Dinner in Celebration of Warner Bros. Silver Jubilee
Self
Thanked in the credits3
2000s
- 2000
Mary Pickford: A Life on Film
Thanks
1990s
- 1998
Star Power: The Creation Of United Artists
Thanks
1970s
- 1975
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Thanks