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
King Kong
(1933)
Mate Briggs
Mighty Joe Young
(1949)
Schultz
Laura
(1944)
Det. McEveety (uncredited)
The Most Dangerous Game
(1932)
First Mate on Yacht (uncredited)
The Grapes of Wrath
(1940)
Guard (uncredited)
Mildred Pierce
(1945)
Detective (uncredited)
Heaven Can Wait
(1943)
Policeman (uncredited)
Belle Starr
(1941)
Sergeant
You Can't Take It with You
(1938)
Jailer (uncredited)
Cheyenne Autumn
(1964)
Ft. Robinson Sergeant of the Guard (uncredited)
Remember the Night
(1940)
Court Attendant (uncredited)
Jesse James
(1939)
Cavalry Captain (uncredited)
The Roaring Twenties
(1939)
Policeman (uncredited)
Nightmare Alley
(1947)
Hoatley - First Carnival Owner (uncredited)
In Cold Blood
(1967)
Clarence Duntz
Anchors Aweigh
(1945)
Radio Cop
Full Filmography
Acting
The All-American
(1932)
Don Lindsay
The Most Dangerous Game
(1932)
First Mate on Yacht (uncredited)
The Airmail Mystery
(1932)
Bob Lee
McKenna of the Mounted
(1932)
Corporal Randall McKenna
Back Street
(1932)
Reporter (uncredited)
Okay, America!
(1932)
Undetermined Role (uncredited)
Ship of Wanted Men
(1933)
Frank Busch
Hello, Sister!
(1933)
Fireman
Only Yesterday
(1933)
Billy (Uncredited)
King Kong
(1933)
Mate Briggs
Riot Squad
(1933)
Det. Mack McCue
Baby Take a Bow
(1934)
Flannigan
Wild Gold
(1934)
Detective (uncredited)
Beloved
(1934)
Wilcox
The Brand of Hate
(1934)
Holt Larkins
The Big Race
(1934)
Bill Figg
The Affairs of Cellini
(1934)
Palace Guard (uncredited)
Secrets of Chinatown
(1935)
Brandhma
Public Hero Number 1
(1935)
Flavin - Federal Agent (uncredited)
Rendezvous
(1935)
2st Military Policeman (uncredited)
Captain Hurricane
(1935)
Freighter Officer
'G' Men
(1935)
Agent with Jean (uncredited)
Special Agent
(1935)
Agent Arresting Julie (uncredited)
The Daring Young Man
(1935)
Informant on Telephone
One Way Ticket
(1935)
Ed
Chinatown Squad
(1935)
Detective
The Murder Man
(1935)
Policeman at Merry-Go-Round (uncredited)
Shipmates Forever
(1935)
Lieutenant (uncredited)
Woman Wanted
(1935)
Mac - Policeman (uncredited)
Man on the Flying Trapeze
(1935)
Chauffeur (uncredited)
My Man Godfrey
(1936)
Detective (uncredited)
Charlie Chan at the Race Track
(1936)
Detective
They Met in a Taxi
(1936)
Policeman
How to Behave
(1936)
Man in Manhole (uncredited)
Hot Water
(1937)
Policeman (uncredited)
Dangerously Yours
(1937)
Driver
I Promise to Pay
(1937)
Bill Seaver
Dangerous Number
(1937)
Cab Driver
Angel's Holiday
(1937)
Detective
Girls Can Play
(1937)
Det. Bill O'Malley
You Only Live Once
(1937)
State Trooper (uncredited)
Big Town Girl
(1937)
State Trooper
My Dear Miss Aldrich
(1937)
Dr. Spitzy Calahan (uncredited)
Midnight Taxi
(1937)
Detective McCormick
Live, Love and Learn
(1937)
Marine Who Likes Painting (uncredited)
Miracle Money
(1938)
Cop (uncredited)
Test Pilot
(1938)
Pilot (uncredited)
Blondie
(1938)
Policeman in Accident Car (uncredited)
Night Spot
(1938)
Kidnapper
I Am the Law
(1938)
George - Witness (uncredited)
Mannequin
(1938)
Burly Man (Uncredited)
Three Loves Has Nancy
(1938)
Jack's Friend (uncredited)
Alexander's Ragtime Band
(1938)
Army Captain (uncredited)
Born to Be Wild
(1938)
Striker (uncredited)
Gateway
(1938)
Guard
While New York Sleeps
(1938)
2nd Cop
Lightning Carson Rides Again
(1938)
Justice Department Agent
Convicts at Large
(1938)
Detective Sgt. Berkovich
The Duke of West Point
(1938)
Plebe Hockey Coach
You Can't Take It with You
(1938)
Jailer (uncredited)
Wives Under Suspicion
(1938)
Jenks - Chauffeur (uncredited)
Everybody's Doing It
(1938)
Detective Hayes
Start Cheering
(1938)
Gas Station Attendant
The Roaring Twenties
(1939)
Policeman (uncredited)
Big Town Czar
(1939)
George Mitchell
The Cisco Kid and the Lady
(1939)
Sergeant
They All Come Out
(1939)
Officer (uncredited)
Irish Luck
(1939)
Fluger
Mickey the Kid
(1939)
Sanders
Fast and Furious
(1939)
Policeman Guarding Entrance (uncredited)
Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President
(1939)
Policeman
Mr. Wong in Chinatown
(1939)
Police Sgt. Jerry
Everybody's Baby
(1939)
Police Announcer (uncredited)
Code of the Streets
(1939)
Doorman
Jesse James
(1939)
Cavalry Captain (uncredited)
The Ice Follies of 1939
(1939)
Doorman (Uncredited)
Union Pacific
(1939)
Paddy (uncredited)
Rose of Washington Square
(1939)
Guard (uncredited)
They Shall Have Music
(1939)
Police Sergeant (uncredited)
The Gracie Allen Murder Case
(1939)
Turnkey
Each Dawn I Die
(1939)
Policeman (uncredited)
Tell No Tales
(1939)
Officer Simmons (uncredited)
Sergeant Madden
(1939)
Police Interrogator
The Devil's Pipeline
(1940)
Dowling
The Ghost Breakers
(1940)
Hotel Porter (uncredited)
Queen of the Mob
(1940)
Third FBI Director
Rhythm on the River
(1940)
Detective
The Golden Fleecing
(1940)
Cop (uncredited)
North West Mounted Police
(1940)
Mountie
And One Was Beautiful
(1940)
McRafferty
Girl in 313
(1940)
Det. Carvin
Youth Will Be Served
(1940)
Buck Miller
Hot Steel
(1940)
Storm Swenson
Private Affairs
(1940)
Doorman (uncredited)
Double Alibi
(1940)
Patrolman Johnson
The Grapes of Wrath
(1940)
Guard (uncredited)
Lucky Cisco Kid
(1940)
Ranch Foreman
South of Pago Pago
(1940)
Cafe Customer
Broadway Melody of 1940
(1940)
Clancy (uncredited)
Brother Orchid
(1940)
Parking Attendant at Fat Dutchy's (uncredited)
The Fighting 69th
(1940)
Supply Sergeant (uncredited)
Remember the Night
(1940)
Court Attendant (uncredited)
La Conga Nights
(1940)
Grogin
Knute Rockne All American
(1940)
Army Assistant Coach (uncredited)
Johnny Apollo
(1940)
Prison Guard In Library (uncredited)
The Long Voyage Home
(1940)
Dock Policeman
Tin Pan Alley
(1940)
Army Sergeant (uncredited)
Castle on the Hudson
(1940)
Death Row Guard (uncredited)
The Great Profile
(1940)
Detective
When the Daltons Rode
(1940)
Annabella's Brother
Women Without Names
(1940)
Guard
The Way of All Flesh
(1940)
Policeman
It All Came True
(1940)
Roaring 90's Club Doorman (uncredited)
Manhattan Heartbeat
(1940)
Truck Driver
Florian
(1940)
Policeman
Affectionately Yours
(1941)
Tomassetti
Ziegfeld Girl
(1941)
Buck (Uncredited)
Hold Back the Dawn
(1941)
Immigration Guard (uncredited)
The Wild Man of Borneo
(1941)
Policeman
Western Union
(1941)
Deputy Sheriff
New York Town
(1941)
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
We Go Fast
(1941)
Police Lt. Bardette
Manpower
(1941)
Orderly About to Give Bath (uncredited)
Four Mothers
(1941)
Demolition Man (uncredited)
Buck Privates
(1941)
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
The Night of January 16th
(1941)
Policeman Kelly
Belle Starr
(1941)
Sergeant
I Wake Up Screaming
(1941)
Detective (uncredited)
Kathleen
(1941)
Moving Man
Pot o' Gold
(1941)
Sheriff Bud Connolly
Texas
(1941)
Abilene Fight Announcer
Ride on Vaquero
(1941)
Officer Johnson
Bedtime Story
(1941)
Hotel Guest in Room 625 (uncredited)
Treat 'Em Rough
(1942)
Joe Trosper
Ride 'Em Cowboy
(1942)
Railroad Detective #2 (uncredited)
Thru Different Eyes
(1942)
Thomas
Tough as They Come
(1942)
Process Server
A Yank on the Burma Road
(1942)
Police Dispatcher
Reap the Wild Wind
(1942)
Girl's Father (uncredited)
Kid Glove Killer
(1942)
Keenan - Detective Grilling Eddie (uncredited)
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty
(1942)
Policeman
Fingers at the Window
(1942)
Police Lieutenant Schaeffer
Gentleman Jim
(1942)
George Corbett (uncredited)
Ten Gentlemen from West Point
(1942)
Capt. Luddy
Night in New Orleans
(1942)
Egan (Uncredited)
Something to Shout About
(1943)
Policeman
Air Force
(1943)
Maj. A.M. Bagley
It Ain't Hay
(1943)
Cop (uncredited)
Riding High
(1943)
Train Conductor
So Proudly We Hail
(1943)
Captain O'Brien (Uncredited)
I Dood It
(1943)
Federal Agent (uncredited)
Heaven Can Wait
(1943)
Policeman (uncredited)
Murder on the Waterfront
(1943)
Cmdr. Kalin
Swing Shift Maisie
(1943)
Radio Policeman (Uncredited)
Mission to Moscow
(1943)
American Senator (uncredited)
Corvette K-225
(1943)
1st Lt. Bill Gardner
Action in the North Atlantic
(1943)
Merchant Marine School Lieutenant-Commander (uncredited)
Laura
(1944)
Det. McEveety (uncredited)
Uncertain Glory
(1944)
Captain of Mobile Guard
Hollywood Canteen
(1944)
Marine Sergeant (uncredited)
Abroad with Two Yanks
(1944)
Sgt. Wiggins
Once Upon a Time
(1944)
Man in Subway (uncredited)
Strange Affair
(1944)
Bank Security Guard (Uncredited)
Christmas Holiday
(1944)
Policeman
Mildred Pierce
(1945)
Detective (uncredited)
Anchors Aweigh
(1945)
Radio Cop
God Is My Co-Pilot
(1945)
Major at Kweilin Airbase (uncredited)
The Shanghai Cobra
(1945)
H.R. Jarvis
Over 21
(1945)
Captain (uncredited)
The Spider
(1945)
Officer Johnny Tracy
Circumstantial Evidence
(1945)
Guard
Murder, He Says
(1945)
Police Officer (uncredited)
Angel on My Shoulder
(1946)
Bellamy
Rendezvous with Annie
(1946)
Turnkey (uncredited)
Tars and Spars
(1946)
Chief Bosun Mate Gurney
Easy to Wed
(1946)
Joe
Sentimental Journey
(1946)
Detective Sgt. McFarland (uncredited)
Boys' Ranch
(1946)
Policeman (uncredited)
The Missing Lady
(1946)
Police Insp. Cardona
A Stolen Life
(1946)
Investigator (uncredited)
Young Widow
(1946)
Subway Conductor (Uncredited)
Step by Step
(1946)
Woods
Cloak and Dagger
(1946)
Col. Walsh
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers
(1946)
Police Detective #1
Nobody Lives Forever
(1946)
Shake Thomas
Song of the Thin Man
(1947)
Policeman Reardon (uncredited)
Robin Hood Of Texas
(1947)
Captain Danforth
Joe Palooka in the Knockout
(1947)
Policeman
My Favorite Brunette
(1947)
Det. Lt. 'Mac' Hennessey (uncredited)
Unconquered
(1947)
Villager (uncredited)
Nightmare Alley
(1947)
Hoatley - First Carnival Owner (uncredited)
It Happened on Fifth Avenue
(1947)
First Policeman (uncredited)
Desert Fury
(1947)
Pat Johnson
Nora Prentiss
(1947)
District Attorney
Dishonored Lady
(1947)
Police Sergeant Patella
The Plunderers
(1948)
Sergeant Major
My Girl Tisa
(1948)
Guard (uncredited)
Bungalow 13
(1948)
Lt. Sam Wilson
The Velvet Touch
(1948)
Sgt. Oliphant
Sleep, My Love
(1948)
Lieutenant Mitchell
One Touch of Venus
(1948)
Kerrigan
Secret Service Investigator
(1948)
Police Inspector Thorndyke
The Noose Hangs High
(1948)
Traffic Cop (uncredited)
Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff
(1949)
Insp. Wellman
Shockproof
(1949)
Policeman in Park (Uncredited)
Mississippi Rhythm
(1949)
Stan Caldwell
Prison Warden
(1949)
Guard Capt. Peter Butler
Mighty Joe Young
(1949)
Schultz
Homicide
(1949)
Det. Lt. Boylan
The Devil's Henchman
(1949)
Police Sergeant Briggs
Blondie Hits the Jackpot
(1949)
Brophy
Flamingo Road
(1949)
Rock Island Trail
(1950)
Railroad Workman
Dakota Lil
(1950)
Secret Service Chief
When Willie Comes Marching Home
(1950)
Gen. Brevort (uncredited)
Destination Murder
(1950)
Police Lt. Brewster
Armored Car Robbery
(1950)
Lt. Phillips
The Savage Horde
(1950)
Guard
South Sea Sinner
(1950)
Andrews
Fighting Coast Guard
(1951)
Commander Rogers
According to Mrs. Hoyle
(1951)
Prosecuting Attorney
Operation Pacific
(1951)
SP Commander
Oh! Susanna
(1951)
Capt. Worth
Follow the Sun
(1951)
Henry Gibbs
Rhubarb
(1951)
O'Leary, Manhattan Police Chief (uncredited)
Million Dollar Mermaid
(1952)
Conductor
Here Come the Marines
(1952)
Lieutenant-Colonel at End
O. Henry's Full House
(1952)
Cop (segment "The Cop and the Anthem") (uncredited)
Sailor Beware
(1952)
Petty Officer (uncredited)
Carrie
(1952)
Mike - Bartender (uncredited)
Star of Texas
(1953)
Texas Rangers Capt. Sturdivant
Trouble Along the Way
(1953)
Coach Buck Holman
I Beheld His Glory
(1953)
Longinus
The Eddie Cantor Story
(1953)
Kelly
Confidentially Connie
(1953)
Harry (uncredited)
Hot News
(1953)
Al Bragg
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars
(1953)
First Policeman in Bank
Massacre Canyon
(1954)
Col. Tarant
Dragonfly Squadron
(1954)
Doctor
Apache Ambush
(1955)
Col. Marshall
The Naked Street
(1955)
Attorney Michael X. Flanders
Mister Roberts
(1955)
Military Policeman
Never Say Goodbye
(1956)
Timmy
Francis in the Haunted House
(1956)
Police Chief Martin
Hold That Hypnotist
(1957)
Jake Morgan
Footsteps in the Night
(1957)
Mr. Bradbury
Night Passage
(1957)
Tim Riley
Wild Is the Wind
(1957)
Wool Buyer
The Restless Breed
(1957)
Secret Service Chief
Johnny Rocco
(1958)
Mooney
The Last Hurrah
(1958)
Police Capt. Michael J. Shanahan (uncredited)
Cheyenne Autumn
(1964)
Ft. Robinson Sergeant of the Guard (uncredited)
The Further Adventures of Gallegher
(1965)
Lt. Flynn
Good Times
(1967)
Detective Lieutenant
In Cold Blood
(1967)
Clarence Duntz
Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident
(1976)
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Law and Order
(1976)
Capt. Toomey