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