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