James Flavin
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- May 14, 1906
- Died
- Apr 23, 1976 (aged 69)
- Place of birth
- Portland, Maine, USA
- Credits
- 322
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
1933Movie
Mate Briggs
The Grapes of Wrath
1940Movie
Guard (uncredited)
The Twilight Zone
1959TV
1962 Policeman, Truck Driver
Laura
1944Movie
Det. McEveety (uncredited)
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
1963Movie
Patrolman (uncredited)
Saboteur
1942Movie
Motorcycle Cop (voice) (uncredited)
Filmography
The Lost Spider Pit Sequence
2005Movie
Second Mate Briggs (archive footage)
Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident
1976Movie
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Law and Order
1976Movie
Capt. Toomey
The Brady Bunch
1969TV
It Takes a Thief
1968TV
Gen. Levin
In Cold Blood
1967Movie
Clarence Duntz
Good Times
1967Movie
Lieutenant
The Pruitts of Southampton
1966TV
The Further Adventures of Gallegher
1965Movie
Lt. Flynn
Cheyenne Autumn
1964Movie
Ft. Robinson Sergeant of the Guard (uncredited)
The Addams Family
1964TV
Lt. Poston
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
1963Movie
Patrolman (uncredited)
Mr. Novak
1963TV
Fire Chief Hawkins
Burke's Law
1963TV
Officer Danny Robin
Critic's Choice
1963Movie
Security Guard (uncredited)
The Lucy Show
1962TV
Sergeant Wilcox
Sam Benedict
1962TV
The New Breed
1961TV
Moose
Dr. Kildare
1961TV
John Dolan
Cain's Hundred
1961TV
Arnie Kellwin
Mister Ed
1961TV
The Roaring 20's
1960TV
Robert Howard
Surfside 6
1960TV
Pete and Gladys
1960TV
Coronado 9
1960TV
Johnny Midnight
1960TV
The Twilight Zone
1959TV
1962 Policeman, Truck Driver
The Last Hurrah
1958Movie
Police Capt. Michael J. Shanahan (uncredited)
Johnny Rocco
1958Movie
Mooney
Man with a Camera
1958TV
The Rifleman
1958TV
Wild Is the Wind
1957Movie
Wool Buyer
Alcoa Theatre
1957TV
Gavin Marshall
Night Passage
1957Movie
Tim Riley
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
1957TV
Sam Cooper
The Restless Breed
1957Movie
Secret Service Chief
Footsteps in the Night
1957Movie
Mr. Bradbury
Hold That Hypnotist
1957Movie
Jake Morgan
The Wings of Eagles
1957Movie
MP at Garden Party (uncredited)
State Trooper
1956TV
Police Capt. Daniel Box
Francis in the Haunted House
1956Movie
Police Chief Martin
Never Say Goodbye
1956Movie
Timmy
Matinee Theater
1955TV
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955TV
Joe Felix, Tony - The Doorman, Dan
Navy Log
1955TV
Col. Flynn
Apache Ambush
1955Movie
Col. Marshall
The Naked Street
1955Movie
Attorney Michael X. Flanders
Mister Roberts
1955Movie
Military Policeman
The Millionaire
1955TV
Dan Mulcahy
Climax!
1954TV
Hogan
December Bride
1954TV
Return of the Dead
1954Movie
Judd Harrison
Massacre Canyon
1954Movie
Col. Tarant
Dragonfly Squadron
1954Movie
Doctor
Public Defender
1954TV
The Eddie Cantor Story
1953Movie
Kelly
Fighter Attack
1953Movie
Col. Allison
Hot News
1953Movie
Al Bragg
Letter to Loretta
1953TV
MacNamara, Deputy Mason, Sgt. Danny Doofle
City Detective
1953TV
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars
1953Movie
First Policeman in Bank
Trouble Along the Way
1953Movie
Coach Buck Holman
I Beheld His Glory
1953Movie
Longinus
Confidentially Connie
1953Movie
Harry (uncredited)
General Electric Theater
1953TV
Callahan
Star of Texas
1953Movie
Texas Rangers Capt. Sturdivant
The Abbott and Costello Show
1952TV
Joe Kelly
Million Dollar Mermaid
1952Movie
Conductor
Cavalcade of America
1952TV
Death Valley Days
1952TV
Perry
Four Star Playhouse
1952TV
Mr. Swanson
O. Henry's Full House
1952Movie
Cop (segment "The Cop and the Anthem") (uncredited)
Carrie
1952Movie
Mike - Bartender (uncredited)
Here Come the Marines
1952Movie
Lieutenant-Colonel at End
Sailor Beware
1952Movie
Petty Officer (uncredited)
As We Forgive
1952Movie
Dangerous Assignment
1952TV
Hallmark Hall of Fame
1951TV
Captain Kimble, General Charles Lee
Come Fill the Cup
1951Movie
Russ - Homicide Captain (uncredited)
I Love Lucy
1951TV
Immigration Officer
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951TV
Rhubarb
1951Movie
O'Leary, Manhattan Police Chief (uncredited)
Racket Squad
1951TV
Fighting Coast Guard
1951Movie
Commander Rogers
Follow the Sun
1951Movie
Henry Gibbs
According to Mrs. Hoyle
1951Movie
Prosecuting Attorney
Oh! Susanna
1951Movie
Capt. Worth
Operation Pacific
1951Movie
SP Commander
The Living Christ
1951TV
Longinus
Lux Video Theatre
1950TV
Steve, Heineman, Detective
South Sea Sinner
1950Movie
Andrews
Destination Murder
1950Movie
Police Lt. Brewster
Armored Car Robbery
1950Movie
Lt. Phillips
The Savage Horde
1950Movie
Guard
Rock Island Trail
1950Movie
Railroad Workman
When Willie Comes Marching Home
1950Movie
Gen. Brevort (uncredited)
Dakota Lil
1950Movie
Secret Service Chief
Prison Warden
1949Movie
Guard Capt. Peter Butler
The Devil's Henchmen
1949Movie
Police Sergeant Briggs
Blondie Hits the Jackpot
1949Movie
Brophy
Mighty Joe Young
1949Movie
Schultz
Mississippi Rhythm
1949Movie
Stan Caldwell
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff
1949Movie
Insp. Wellman
Flamingo Road
1949Movie
Homicide
1949Movie
Det. Lt. Boylan
Shockproof
1949Movie
Policeman in Park (Uncredited)
Bungalow 13
1948Movie
Lt. Sam Wilson
The Plunderers
1948Movie
Sergeant Major
One Touch of Venus
1948Movie
Kerrigan
The Velvet Touch
1948Movie
Sgt. Oliphant
Secret Service Investigator
1948Movie
Police Inspector Thorndyke
The Noose Hangs High
1948Movie
Traffic Cop (uncredited)
Sleep, My Love
1948Movie
Lieutenant Mitchell
My Girl Tisa
1948Movie
Guard (uncredited)
Unconquered
1947Movie
Villager (uncredited)
Nightmare Alley
1947Movie
Hoatley / First Carnival Owner (uncredited)
Joe Palooka in the Knockout
1947Movie
Policeman
Song of the Thin Man
1947Movie
Policeman Reardon (uncredited)
Desert Fury
1947Movie
Pat Johnson
Robin Hood Of Texas
1947Movie
Captain Danforth
Dishonored Lady
1947Movie
Police Sergeant Patella
It Happened on Fifth Avenue
1947Movie
First Policeman (uncredited)
My Favorite Brunette
1947Movie
Det. Lt. 'Mac' Hennessey (uncredited)
Nora Prentiss
1947Movie
District Attorney
Nobody Lives Forever
1946Movie
Shake Thomas
Cloak and Dagger
1946Movie
Col. Walsh
Angel on My Shoulder
1946Movie
Dan Bellamy
Step by Step
1946Movie
Woods
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers
1946Movie
Police Detective #1
The Missing Lady
1946Movie
Police Insp. Cardona
Easy to Wed
1946Movie
Joe
Rendezvous with Annie
1946Movie
Turnkey (uncredited)
Boys' Ranch
1946Movie
Policeman (uncredited)
A Stolen Life
1946Movie
Investigator (uncredited)
Sentimental Journey
1946Movie
Detective Sgt. McFarland (uncredited)
Young Widow
1946Movie
Subway Conductor (Uncredited)
Tars and Spars
1946Movie
Chief Bosun Mate Gurney
The Spider
1945Movie
Officer Johnny Tracy
Hold That Blonde!
1945Movie
Laundry Truck Driver (uncredited)
Johnny Angel
1945Movie
Flavin, Mate of the Quincy (uncredited)
Mildred Pierce
1945Movie
Detective (uncredited)
The Shanghai Cobra
1945Movie
H.R. Jarvis
Anchors Aweigh
1945Movie
Radio Cop
Over 21
1945Movie
Captain (uncredited)
Murder, He Says
1945Movie
Police Officer (uncredited)
Circumstantial Evidence
1945Movie
Guard
God Is My Co-Pilot
1945Movie
Major at Kweilin Airbase (uncredited)
Hollywood Canteen
1944Movie
Marine Sergeant (uncredited)
Laura
1944Movie
Det. McEveety (uncredited)
Strange Affair
1944Movie
Bank Security Guard (uncredited)
Abroad with Two Yanks
1944Movie
Sgt. Wiggins
Mr. Winkle Goes to War
1944Movie
Once Upon a Time
1944Movie
Man in Subway (uncredited)
Christmas Holiday
1944Movie
Policeman (uncredited)
Uncertain Glory
1944Movie
Captain of Mobile Guard
There's Something About a Soldier
1943Movie
Riding High
1943Movie
Train Conductor
Swing Shift Maisie
1943Movie
Radio Policeman (Uncredited)
Corvette K-225
1943Movie
1st Lt. Bill Gardner
Thank Your Lucky Stars
1943Movie
Policeman (uncredited)
Murder on the Waterfront
1943Movie
Cmdr. Kalin
So Proudly We Hail
1943Movie
Captain O'Brien (Uncredited)
I Dood It
1943Movie
Federal Agent (uncredited)
Heaven Can Wait
1943Movie
Policeman (uncredited)
Action in the North Atlantic
1943Movie
Merchant Marine School Lieutenant-Commander (uncredited)
Mission to Moscow
1943Movie
American Senator (uncredited)
Air Force
1943Movie
Maj. A.M. Bagley
Something to Shout About
1943Movie
Policeman
It Ain't Hay
1943Movie
Cop (uncredited)
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty
1942Movie
Policeman
Gentleman Jim
1942Movie
George Corbett (uncredited)
Night in New Orleans
1942Movie
Egan (uncredited)
Ten Gentlemen from West Point
1942Movie
Capt. Luddy
Thru Different Eyes
1942Movie
Thomas
Tough as They Come
1942Movie
Process Server
Broadway
1942Movie
Doorman (uncredited)
Fingers at the Window
1942Movie
Police Lieutenant Schaeffer
Saboteur
1942Movie
Motorcycle Cop (voice) (uncredited)
Kid Glove Killer
1942Movie
Keenan - Detective Grilling Eddie (uncredited)
Reap the Wild Wind
1942Movie
Girl's Father (uncredited)
Treat 'Em Rough
1942Movie
Joe Trosper
A Yank on the Burma Road
1942Movie
Police Dispatcher
Bedtime Story
1941Movie
Hotel Guest in Room 625 (uncredited)
Kathleen
1941Movie
Moving Man
The Night of January 16th
1941Movie
Policeman Kelly
Ride 'Em Cowboy
1941Movie
Railroad Detective #2 (uncredited)
New York Town
1941Movie
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
I Wake Up Screaming
1941Movie
Detective (uncredited)
Texas
1941Movie
Abilene Fight Announcer
Hold Back the Dawn
1941Movie
Immigration Guard (uncredited)
We Go Fast
1941Movie
Police Lt. Bardette
Belle Starr
1941Movie
Sergeant
Manpower
1941Movie
Orderly About to Give Bath (uncredited)
Affectionately Yours
1941Movie
Tomassetti
Ziegfeld Girl
1941Movie
Buck (uncredited)
Ride on Vaquero
1941Movie
Officer Johnson
Pot o' Gold
1941Movie
Sheriff Bud Connolly (uncredited), Sheriff Bud Connolly
Western Union
1941Movie
Deputy Sheriff
The Strawberry Blonde
1941Movie
Ticket Inspector on Boat (uncredited)
Buck Privates
1941Movie
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
The Wild Man of Borneo
1941Movie
Policeman (uncredited)
Four Mothers
1941Movie
Demolition Man (uncredited)
Tin Pan Alley
1940Movie
Army Sergeant (uncredited)
Youth Will Be Served
1940Movie
Buck Miller
The Long Voyage Home
1940Movie
Dock Policeman
The Devil's Pipeline
1940Movie
Dowling
North West Mounted Police
1940Movie
Mountie
Knute Rockne All American
1940Movie
Army Assistant Coach (uncredited)
The Great Profile
1940Movie
Detective
Rhythm on the River
1940Movie
Detective
When the Daltons Rode
1940Movie
Annabella's Brother
The Golden Fleecing
1940Movie
Cop (uncredited)
South of Pago Pago
1940Movie
Cafe Customer
Manhattan Heartbeat
1940Movie
Truck Driver
The Way of All Flesh
1940Movie
Policeman
Private Affairs
1940Movie
Doorman (uncredited)
Lucky Cisco Kid
1940Movie
Ranch Foreman
Queen of the Mob
1940Movie
Third FBI Director
The Ghost Breakers
1940Movie
Hotel Porter (uncredited)
Brother Orchid
1940Movie
Parking Attendant at Fat Dutchy's (uncredited)
Florian
1940Movie
Policeman
Girl in 313
1940Movie
Det. Carvin
La Conga Nights
1940Movie
Grogin
Hot Steel
1940Movie
Storm Swenson
Johnny Apollo
1940Movie
Prison Guard In Library (uncredited)
It All Came True
1940Movie
Roaring 90's Club Doorman (uncredited)
And One Was Beautiful
1940Movie
McRafferty
The Grapes of Wrath
1940Movie
Guard (uncredited)
Women Without Names
1940Movie
Guard
Double Alibi
1940Movie
Patrolman Johnson
Castle on the Hudson
1940Movie
Death Row Guard (uncredited)
Broadway Melody of 1940
1940Movie
Clancy (uncredited)
The Fighting 69th
1940Movie
Supply Sergeant (uncredited)
Remember the Night
1940Movie
Court Attendant (uncredited)
The Cisco Kid and the Lady
1939Movie
Sergeant
Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President
1939Movie
Policeman
The Roaring Twenties
1939Movie
Policeman (uncredited)
Fast and Furious
1939Movie
Policeman Guarding Entrance (uncredited)
Irish Luck
1939Movie
Fluger
Each Dawn I Die
1939Movie
Policeman (uncredited)
They Shall Have Music
1939Movie
Police Sergeant (uncredited)
When Tomorrow Comes
1939Movie
Coard Guard Man on Road (uncredited)
They All Come Out
1939Movie
Officer (uncredited)
Mr. Wong in Chinatown
1939Movie
Police Sgt. Jerry
Mickey the Kid
1939Movie
Sanders
Tell No Tales
1939Movie
Officer Simmons (uncredited)
The Gracie Allen Murder Case
1939Movie
Turnkey
Union Pacific
1939Movie
Paddy (uncredited)
Rose of Washington Square
1939Movie
Guard (uncredited)
Big Town Czar
1939Movie
George Mitchell
Code of the Streets
1939Movie
Doorman
Sergeant Madden
1939Movie
Police Interrogator
Everybody's Baby
1939Movie
Police Announcer (uncredited)
The Ice Follies of 1939
1939Movie
Doorman (uncredited)
Jesse James
1939Movie
Cavalry Captain (uncredited)
The Duke of West Point
1938Movie
Plebe Hockey Coach
While New York Sleeps
1938Movie
2nd Cop
Convicts at Large
1938Movie
Detective Sgt. Berkovich
Blondie
1938Movie
Policeman in Accident Car (uncredited)
Lightning Carson Rides Again
1938Movie
Justice Department Agent
Too Hot to Handle
1938Movie
Young Reporter (uncredited)
Three Loves Has Nancy
1938Movie
Jack's Friend (uncredited)
You Can't Take It with You
1938Movie
Jailer (uncredited)
I Am the Law
1938Movie
George - Witness (uncredited)
Gateway
1938Movie
Guard
Wives Under Suspicion
1938Movie
Jenks (uncredited)
Alexander's Ragtime Band
1938Movie
Army Captain (uncredited)
Test Pilot
1938Movie
Pilot (uncredited)
Miracle Money
1938Movie
Cop (uncredited)
Start Cheering
1938Movie
Gas Station Attendant
Night Spot
1938Movie
Kidnapper
Born to Be Wild
1938Movie
Striker (uncredited)
Mannequin
1938Movie
Burly Man (Uncredited)
Everybody's Doing It
1938Movie
Detective Hayes
Big Town Girl
1937Movie
State Trooper
Live, Love and Learn
1937Movie
Marine Who Likes Painting (uncredited)
Hot Water
1937Movie
Policeman (uncredited)
Dangerously Yours
1937Movie
Driver
My Dear Miss Aldrich
1937Movie
Dr. Spitzy Calahan (uncredited)
Girls Can Play
1937Movie
Det. Bill O'Malley
Angel's Holiday
1937Movie
Detective
I Promise to Pay
1937Movie
Bill Seaver
Midnight Taxi
1937Movie
Detective McCormick
You Only Live Once
1937Movie
State Trooper (uncredited)
Dangerous Number
1937Movie
Cab Driver
The Luckiest Girl in the World
1936Movie
Policeman
They Met in a Taxi
1936Movie
Policeman
My Man Godfrey
1936Movie
Detective (uncredited)
Charlie Chan at the Race Track
1936Movie
Detective
How to Behave
1936Movie
Man in Manhole (uncredited)
One Way Ticket
1935Movie
Ed
Rendezvous
1935Movie
2st Military Policeman (uncredited)
Shipmates Forever
1935Movie
Lieutenant (uncredited)
Special Agent
1935Movie
Agent Arresting Julie (uncredited)
Man on the Flying Trapeze
1935Movie
Chauffeur (uncredited)
Woman Wanted
1935Movie
Mac - Policeman (uncredited)
The Daring Young Man
1935Movie
Informant on Telephone
The Murder Man
1935Movie
Policeman at Merry-Go-Round (uncredited)
Chinatown Squad
1935Movie
Detective
Public Hero Number 1
1935Movie
Flavin - Federal Agent (uncredited)
'G' Men
1935Movie
Agent with Jean (uncredited)
Straight from the Heart
1935Movie
Policeman
Captain Hurricane
1935Movie
Freighter Officer
Secrets of Chinatown
1935Movie
Brandhma
The Brand of Hate
1934Movie
Holt Larkins
The Affairs of Cellini
1934Movie
Palace Guard (uncredited)
Baby Take a Bow
1934Movie
Flannigan
Wild Gold
1934Movie
Detective (uncredited)
The Big Race
1934Movie
Bill Figg
Beloved
1934Movie
Wilcox
Only Yesterday
1933Movie
Billy (Uncredited)
Ship of Wanted Men
1933Movie
Frank Busch
Riot Squad
1933Movie
Det. Mack McCue
Hello, Sister!
1933Movie
Fireman
King Kong
1933Movie
Mate Briggs
Air Mail
1932Movie
Man with Radio Report (uncredited)
The All-American
1932Movie
Don Lindsay
The Most Dangerous Game
1932Movie
First Mate on Yacht (uncredited)
Okay, America!
1932Movie
Undetermined Role (uncredited)
McKenna of the Mounted
1932Movie
Corporal Randall McKenna
Back Street
1932Movie
Reporter (uncredited)
The Airmail Mystery
1932Movie
Bob Lee