Actor · Acting

James Flavin

Born 1906-05-14

Died 1976-04-23

📍 Portland, Maine, USA

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.

Filmography 323

The Lost Spider Pit Sequence

as Second Mate Briggs (archive footage)

Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident

as President Dwight D. Eisenhower

as Capt. Toomey

The Brady Bunch

It Takes a Thief

as Clarence Duntz

The Pruitts of Southampton

The Further Adventures of Gallegher

Cheyenne Autumn

as Ft. Robinson Sergeant of the Guard (uncredited)

The Addams Family

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

as Patrolman (uncredited)

as Fire Chief Hawkins

as Officer Danny Robin

Critic's Choice

as Security Guard (uncredited)

as Sergeant Wilcox

as Arnie Kellwin

The Roaring 20's

as Robert Howard

Pete and Gladys

Johnny Midnight

The Twilight Zone

as 1962 Policeman

The Twilight Zone

as Truck Driver

The Last Hurrah

as Police Capt. Michael J. Shanahan (uncredited)

Man with a Camera

Wild Is the Wind

as Gavin Marshall

Richard Diamond, Private Detective

The Restless Breed

as Secret Service Chief

Footsteps in the Night

as Mr. Bradbury

Hold That Hypnotist

Francis in the Haunted House

as Police Chief Martin

Never Say Goodbye

Matinee Theater

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

as Tony - The Doorman

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

as Col. Marshall

The Naked Street

as Attorney Michael X. Flanders

as Military Policeman

The Millionaire

Return of the Dead

as Judd Harrison

Massacre Canyon

Dragonfly Squadron

Public Defender

The Eddie Cantor Story

as Col. Allison

Letter to Loretta

Letter to Loretta

as Sgt. Danny Doofle

Letter to Loretta

as Deputy Mason

Abbott and Costello Go to Mars

as First Policeman in Bank

Trouble Along the Way

as Coach Buck Holman

I Beheld His Glory

Confidentially Connie

as Harry (uncredited)

General Electric Theater

General Electric Theater

as Texas Rangers Capt. Sturdivant

The Abbott and Costello Show

Million Dollar Mermaid

Cavalcade of America

Death Valley Days

O. Henry's Full House

as Cop (segment "The Cop and the Anthem") (uncredited)

as Mike - Bartender (uncredited)

Here Come the Marines

as Lieutenant-Colonel at End

as Petty Officer (uncredited)

Dangerous Assignment

Hallmark Hall of Fame

as Captain Kimble

Hallmark Hall of Fame

as General Charles Lee

Come Fill the Cup

as Russ - Homicide Captain (uncredited)

as Immigration Officer

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

as O'Leary, Manhattan Police Chief (uncredited)

Fighting Coast Guard

as Commander Rogers

According to Mrs. Hoyle

as Prosecuting Attorney

Operation Pacific

as SP Commander

The Living Christ

South Sea Sinner

Destination Murder

as Police Lt. Brewster

Armored Car Robbery

as Lt. Phillips

The Savage Horde

Rock Island Trail

as Railroad Workman

When Willie Comes Marching Home

as Gen. Brevort (uncredited)

as Secret Service Chief

as Guard Capt. Peter Butler

The Devil's Henchmen

as Police Sergeant Briggs

Blondie Hits the Jackpot

Mighty Joe Young

Mississippi Rhythm

as Stan Caldwell

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff

as Insp. Wellman

as Det. Lt. Boylan

as Policeman in Park (Uncredited)

as Lt. Sam Wilson

as Sergeant Major

One Touch of Venus

The Velvet Touch

as Sgt. Oliphant

Secret Service Investigator

as Police Inspector Thorndyke

The Noose Hangs High

as Traffic Cop (uncredited)

as Lieutenant Mitchell

as Guard (uncredited)

as Villager (uncredited)

Nightmare Alley

as Hoatley / First Carnival Owner (uncredited)

Joe Palooka in the Knockout

Song of the Thin Man

as Policeman Reardon (uncredited)

Robin Hood Of Texas

as Captain Danforth

Dishonored Lady

as Police Sergeant Patella

It Happened on Fifth Avenue

as First Policeman (uncredited)

My Favorite Brunette

as Det. Lt. 'Mac' Hennessey (uncredited)

as District Attorney

Nobody Lives Forever

as Shake Thomas

Cloak and Dagger

Angel on My Shoulder

The Strange Love of Martha Ivers

as Police Detective #1

The Missing Lady

as Police Insp. Cardona

Rendezvous with Annie

as Turnkey (uncredited)

as Policeman (uncredited)

as Investigator (uncredited)

Sentimental Journey

as Detective Sgt. McFarland (uncredited)

as Subway Conductor (Uncredited)

as Chief Bosun Mate Gurney

as Officer Johnny Tracy

Hold That Blonde!

as Laundry Truck Driver (uncredited)

as Flavin, Mate of the Quincy (uncredited)

as Detective (uncredited)

The Shanghai Cobra

as Captain (uncredited)

Murder, He Says

as Police Officer (uncredited)

Circumstantial Evidence

God Is My Co-Pilot

as Major at Kweilin Airbase (uncredited)

Hollywood Canteen

as Marine Sergeant (uncredited)

as Det. McEveety (uncredited)

as Bank Security Guard (uncredited)

Abroad with Two Yanks

as Sgt. Wiggins

Mr. Winkle Goes to War

Once Upon a Time

as Man in Subway (uncredited)

Christmas Holiday

as Policeman (uncredited)

Uncertain Glory

as Captain of Mobile Guard

There's Something About a Soldier

as Train Conductor

Swing Shift Maisie

as Radio Policeman (Uncredited)

as 1st Lt. Bill Gardner

Thank Your Lucky Stars

as Policeman (uncredited)

Murder on the Waterfront

So Proudly We Hail

as Captain O'Brien (Uncredited)

as Federal Agent (uncredited)

Heaven Can Wait

as Policeman (uncredited)

Action in the North Atlantic

as Merchant Marine School Lieutenant-Commander (uncredited)

Mission to Moscow

as American Senator (uncredited)

as Maj. A.M. Bagley

Something to Shout About

as Cop (uncredited)

Life Begins at Eight-Thirty

as George Corbett (uncredited)

Night in New Orleans

as Egan (uncredited)

Ten Gentlemen from West Point

Thru Different Eyes

Tough as They Come

as Process Server

as Doorman (uncredited)

Fingers at the Window

as Police Lieutenant Schaeffer

as Motorcycle Cop (voice) (uncredited)

Kid Glove Killer

as Keenan - Detective Grilling Eddie (uncredited)

Reap the Wild Wind

as Girl's Father (uncredited)

A Yank on the Burma Road

as Police Dispatcher

as Hotel Guest in Room 625 (uncredited)

The Night of January 16th

as Policeman Kelly

Ride 'Em Cowboy

as Railroad Detective #2 (uncredited)

as Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)

I Wake Up Screaming

as Detective (uncredited)

as Abilene Fight Announcer

Hold Back the Dawn

as Immigration Guard (uncredited)

as Police Lt. Bardette

as Orderly About to Give Bath (uncredited)

Affectionately Yours

as Buck (uncredited)

Ride on Vaquero

as Officer Johnson

as Sheriff Bud Connolly (uncredited)

as Sheriff Bud Connolly

as Deputy Sheriff

The Strawberry Blonde

as Ticket Inspector on Boat (uncredited)

as Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)

The Wild Man of Borneo

as Policeman (uncredited)

as Demolition Man (uncredited)

as Army Sergeant (uncredited)

Youth Will Be Served

The Long Voyage Home

as Dock Policeman

The Devil's Pipeline

North West Mounted Police

Knute Rockne All American

as Army Assistant Coach (uncredited)

The Great Profile

Rhythm on the River

When the Daltons Rode

as Annabella's Brother

The Golden Fleecing

as Cop (uncredited)

South of Pago Pago

as Cafe Customer

Manhattan Heartbeat

as Truck Driver

The Way of All Flesh

Private Affairs

as Doorman (uncredited)

Lucky Cisco Kid

as Ranch Foreman

Queen of the Mob

as Third FBI Director

The Ghost Breakers

as Hotel Porter (uncredited)

as Parking Attendant at Fat Dutchy's (uncredited)

La Conga Nights

as Storm Swenson

as Prison Guard In Library (uncredited)

It All Came True

as Roaring 90's Club Doorman (uncredited)

And One Was Beautiful

The Grapes of Wrath

as Guard (uncredited)

Women Without Names

as Patrolman Johnson

Castle on the Hudson

as Death Row Guard (uncredited)

Broadway Melody of 1940

as Clancy (uncredited)

The Fighting 69th

as Supply Sergeant (uncredited)

Remember the Night

as Court Attendant (uncredited)

The Cisco Kid and the Lady

Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President

The Roaring Twenties

as Policeman (uncredited)

Fast and Furious

as Policeman Guarding Entrance (uncredited)

Each Dawn I Die

as Policeman (uncredited)

They Shall Have Music

as Police Sergeant (uncredited)

When Tomorrow Comes

as Coard Guard Man on Road (uncredited)

They All Come Out

as Officer (uncredited)

Mr. Wong in Chinatown

as Police Sgt. Jerry

as Officer Simmons (uncredited)

The Gracie Allen Murder Case

as Paddy (uncredited)

Rose of Washington Square

as Guard (uncredited)

as George Mitchell

Code of the Streets

Sergeant Madden

as Police Interrogator

Everybody's Baby

as Police Announcer (uncredited)

The Ice Follies of 1939

as Doorman (uncredited)

as Cavalry Captain (uncredited)

The Duke of West Point

as Plebe Hockey Coach

While New York Sleeps

Convicts at Large

as Detective Sgt. Berkovich

as Policeman in Accident Car (uncredited)

Lightning Carson Rides Again

as Justice Department Agent

Too Hot to Handle

as Young Reporter (uncredited)

Three Loves Has Nancy

as Jack's Friend (uncredited)

You Can't Take It with You

as Jailer (uncredited)

as George - Witness (uncredited)

Wives Under Suspicion

as Jenks - Chauffeur (uncredited)

Alexander's Ragtime Band

as Army Captain (uncredited)

as Pilot (uncredited)

as Cop (uncredited)

as Gas Station Attendant

Born to Be Wild

as Striker (uncredited)

as Burly Man (Uncredited)

Everybody's Doing It

as Detective Hayes

as State Trooper

Live, Love and Learn

as Marine Who Likes Painting (uncredited)

as Policeman (uncredited)

Dangerously Yours

My Dear Miss Aldrich

as Dr. Spitzy Calahan (uncredited)

as Det. Bill O'Malley

Angel's Holiday

I Promise to Pay

as Detective McCormick

You Only Live Once

as State Trooper (uncredited)

Dangerous Number

The Luckiest Girl in the World

They Met in a Taxi

as Detective (uncredited)

Charlie Chan at the Race Track

as Man in Manhole (uncredited)

as 2st Military Policeman (uncredited)

Shipmates Forever

as Lieutenant (uncredited)

as Agent Arresting Julie (uncredited)

Man on the Flying Trapeze

as Chauffeur (uncredited)

as Mac - Policeman (uncredited)

The Daring Young Man

as Informant on Telephone

as Policeman at Merry-Go-Round (uncredited)

Chinatown Squad

Public Hero Number 1

as Flavin - Federal Agent (uncredited)

as Agent with Jean (uncredited)

Straight from the Heart

Captain Hurricane

as Freighter Officer

Secrets of Chinatown

The Brand of Hate

as Holt Larkins

The Affairs of Cellini

as Palace Guard (uncredited)

Baby Take a Bow

as Detective (uncredited)

as Billy (Uncredited)

Ship of Wanted Men

as Det. Mack McCue

as Man with Radio Report (uncredited)

The All-American

The Most Dangerous Game

as First Mate on Yacht (uncredited)

as Undetermined Role (uncredited)

McKenna of the Mounted

as Corporal Randall McKenna

as Reporter (uncredited)

The Airmail Mystery