James Flavin
Acting • Born 1906-05-14 – Died 1976-04-23
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.
Filmography
327 credits
King Kong
Movie • 1933
Mate Briggs
Manpower
Movie • 1941
Orderly About to Give Bath (uncredited)
Confidentially Connie
Movie • 1953
Harry (uncredited)
Youth Will Be Served
Movie • 1940
Buck Miller
The Most Dangerous Game
Movie • 1932
First Mate on Yacht (uncredited)
My Girl Tisa
Movie • 1948
Guard (uncredited)
Blondie Hits the Jackpot
Movie • 1949
Brophy
One Way Ticket
Movie • 1935
Ed
Armored Car Robbery
Movie • 1950
Lt. Phillips
Here Come the Marines
Movie • 1952
Lieutenant-Colonel at End
Three Loves Has Nancy
Movie • 1938
Jack's Friend (uncredited)
Night Passage
Movie • 1957
Tim Riley
Mannequin
Movie • 1938
Burly Man (Uncredited)
The Devil's Henchmen
Movie • 1949
Police Sergeant Briggs
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers
Movie • 1946
Police Detective #1
Desert Fury
Movie • 1947
Pat Johnson
Nora Prentiss
Movie • 1947
District Attorney
Nobody Lives Forever
Movie • 1946
Shake Thomas
Charlie Chan at the Race Track
Movie • 1936
Detective
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars
Movie • 1953
First Policeman in Bank
Wild Is the Wind
Movie • 1957
Wool Buyer
Destination Murder
Movie • 1950
Police Lt. Brewster
The Savage Horde
Movie • 1950
Guard
McKenna of the Mounted
Movie • 1932
Corporal Randall McKenna
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Movie • 1938
Army Captain (uncredited)
Cloak and Dagger
Movie • 1946
Col. Walsh
Cheyenne Autumn
Movie • 1964
Ft. Robinson Sergeant of the Guard (uncredited)
Born to Be Wild
Movie • 1938
Striker (uncredited)
The Shanghai Cobra
Movie • 1945
H.R. Jarvis
Hot News
Movie • 1953
Al Bragg
Footsteps in the Night
Movie • 1957
Mr. Bradbury
Fingers at the Window
Movie • 1942
Police Lieutenant Schaeffer
Mighty Joe Young
Movie • 1949
Schultz
Kathleen
Movie • 1941
Moving Man
Homicide
Movie • 1949
Det. Lt. Boylan
In Cold Blood
Movie • 1967
Clarence Duntz
Wild Gold
Movie • 1934
Detective (uncredited)
It Happened on Fifth Avenue
Movie • 1947
First Policeman (uncredited)
Belle Starr
Movie • 1941
Sergeant
Man on the Flying Trapeze
Movie • 1935
Chauffeur (uncredited)
The Further Adventures of Gallegher
Movie • 1965
Lt. Flynn
Mr. Wong in Chinatown
Movie • 1939
Police Sgt. Jerry
Dragonfly Squadron
Movie • 1954
Doctor
Francis in the Haunted House
Movie • 1956
Police Chief Martin
The Murder Man
Movie • 1935
Policeman at Merry-Go-Round (uncredited)
Rendezvous
Movie • 1935
2st Military Policeman (uncredited)
Sailor Beware
Movie • 1952
Petty Officer (uncredited)
God Is My Co-Pilot
Movie • 1945
Major at Kweilin Airbase (uncredited)
The Naked Street
Movie • 1955
Attorney Michael X. Flanders
How to Behave
Movie • 1936
Man in Manhole (uncredited)
So Proudly We Hail
Movie • 1943
Captain O'Brien (Uncredited)
Reap the Wild Wind
Movie • 1942
Girl's Father (uncredited)
I Dood It
Movie • 1943
Federal Agent (uncredited)
The Missing Lady
Movie • 1946
Police Insp. Cardona
Riot Squad
Movie • 1933
Det. Mack McCue
Flamingo Road
Movie • 1949
Law and Order
Movie • 1976
Capt. Toomey
Never Say Goodbye
Movie • 1956
Timmy
Prison Warden
Movie • 1949
Guard Capt. Peter Butler
Abroad with Two Yanks
Movie • 1944
Sgt. Wiggins
Hold That Hypnotist
Movie • 1957
Jake Morgan
Murder on the Waterfront
Movie • 1943
Cmdr. Kalin
Wives Under Suspicion
Movie • 1938
Jenks - Chauffeur (uncredited)
Boys' Ranch
Movie • 1946
Policeman (uncredited)
The Cisco Kid and the Lady
Movie • 1939
Sergeant
Girls Can Play
Movie • 1937
Det. Bill O'Malley
O. Henry's Full House
Movie • 1952
Cop (segment "The Cop and the Anthem") (uncredited)
They All Come Out
Movie • 1939
Officer (uncredited)
Apache Ambush
Movie • 1955
Col. Marshall
Follow the Sun
Movie • 1951
Henry Gibbs
The Brand of Hate
Movie • 1934
Holt Larkins
We Go Fast
Movie • 1941
Police Lt. Bardette
Convicts at Large
Movie • 1938
Detective Sgt. Berkovich
Irish Luck
Movie • 1939
Fluger
Hello, Sister!
Movie • 1933
Fireman
Anchors Aweigh
Movie • 1945
Radio Cop
Mississippi Rhythm
Movie • 1949
Stan Caldwell
Lightning Carson Rides Again
Movie • 1938
Justice Department Agent
While New York Sleeps
Movie • 1938
2nd Cop
Massacre Canyon
Movie • 1954
Col. Tarant
Operation Pacific
Movie • 1951
SP Commander
The Eddie Cantor Story
Movie • 1953
Kelly
Oh! Susanna
Movie • 1951
Capt. Worth
A Yank on the Burma Road
Movie • 1942
Police Dispatcher
The Affairs of Cellini
Movie • 1934
Palace Guard (uncredited)
The Devil's Pipeline
Movie • 1940
Dowling
Sleep, My Love
Movie • 1948
Lieutenant Mitchell
Pot o' Gold
Movie • 1941
Sheriff Bud Connolly (uncredited)
They Met in a Taxi
Movie • 1936
Policeman
My Dear Miss Aldrich
Movie • 1937
Dr. Spitzy Calahan (uncredited)
Midnight Taxi
Movie • 1937
Detective McCormick
Live, Love and Learn
Movie • 1937
Marine Who Likes Painting (uncredited)
Blondie
Movie • 1938
Policeman in Accident Car (uncredited)
Night Spot
Movie • 1938
Kidnapper
Woman Wanted
Movie • 1935
Mac - Policeman (uncredited)
Tell No Tales
Movie • 1939
Officer Simmons (uncredited)
Everybody's Doing It
Movie • 1938
Detective Hayes
According to Mrs. Hoyle
Movie • 1951
Prosecuting Attorney
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty
Movie • 1942
Policeman
The Airmail Mystery
Movie • 1932
Bob Lee
Back Street
Movie • 1932
Reporter (uncredited)
Start Cheering
Movie • 1938
Gas Station Attendant
Carrie
Movie • 1952
Mike - Bartender (uncredited)
Broadway Melody of 1940
Movie • 1940
Clancy (uncredited)
Manhattan Heartbeat
Movie • 1940
Truck Driver
Jesse James
Movie • 1939
Cavalry Captain (uncredited)
Good Times
Movie • 1967
Lieutenant
The Ice Follies of 1939
Movie • 1939
Doorman (uncredited)
Union Pacific
Movie • 1939
Paddy (uncredited)
Rose of Washington Square
Movie • 1939
Guard (uncredited)
The Gracie Allen Murder Case
Movie • 1939
Turnkey
They Shall Have Music
Movie • 1939
Police Sergeant (uncredited)
Each Dawn I Die
Movie • 1939
Policeman (uncredited)
Christmas Holiday
Movie • 1944
Policeman (uncredited)
Sergeant Madden
Movie • 1939
Police Interrogator
Fast and Furious
Movie • 1939
Policeman Guarding Entrance (uncredited)
The Roaring Twenties
Movie • 1939
Policeman (uncredited)
A Stolen Life
Movie • 1946
Investigator (uncredited)
The Wild Man of Borneo
Movie • 1941
Policeman (uncredited)
Lucky Cisco Kid
Movie • 1940
Ranch Foreman
South of Pago Pago
Movie • 1940
Cafe Customer
Secrets of Chinatown
Movie • 1935
Brandhma
When Willie Comes Marching Home
Movie • 1950
Gen. Brevort (uncredited)
The Grapes of Wrath
Movie • 1940
Guard (uncredited)
Bedtime Story
Movie • 1941
Hotel Guest in Room 625 (uncredited)
Air Force
Movie • 1943
Maj. A.M. Bagley
Dangerously Yours
Movie • 1937
Driver
You Can't Take It with You
Movie • 1938
Jailer (uncredited)
I Am the Law
Movie • 1938
George - Witness (uncredited)
Miracle Money
Movie • 1938
Cop (uncredited)
Unconquered
Movie • 1947
Villager (uncredited)
Uncertain Glory
Movie • 1944
Captain of Mobile Guard
Mildred Pierce
Movie • 1945
Detective (uncredited)
Treat 'Em Rough
Movie • 1942
Joe Trosper
The Daring Young Man
Movie • 1935
Informant on Telephone
Remember the Night
Movie • 1940
Court Attendant (uncredited)
Sentimental Journey
Movie • 1946
Detective Sgt. McFarland (uncredited)
The Fighting 69th
Movie • 1940
Supply Sergeant (uncredited)
Brother Orchid
Movie • 1940
Parking Attendant at Fat Dutchy's (uncredited)
Dakota Lil
Movie • 1950
Secret Service Chief
Hold Back the Dawn
Movie • 1941
Immigration Guard (uncredited)
Bungalow 13
Movie • 1948
Lt. Sam Wilson
Laura
Movie • 1944
Det. McEveety (uncredited)
Johnny Apollo
Movie • 1940
Prison Guard In Library (uncredited)
Everybody's Baby
Movie • 1939
Police Announcer (uncredited)
Saboteur
Movie • 1942
Motorcycle Cop (voice) (uncredited)
Ship of Wanted Men
Movie • 1933
Frank Busch
Thru Different Eyes
Movie • 1942
Thomas
The Night of January 16th
Movie • 1941
Policeman Kelly
When the Daltons Rode
Movie • 1940
Annabella's Brother
Ride on Vaquero
Movie • 1941
Officer Johnson
North West Mounted Police
Movie • 1940
Mountie
Code of the Streets
Movie • 1939
Doorman
Baby Take a Bow
Movie • 1934
Flannigan
Tin Pan Alley
Movie • 1940
Army Sergeant (uncredited)
Gateway
Movie • 1938
Guard
The Long Voyage Home
Movie • 1940
Dock Policeman
One Touch of Venus
Movie • 1948
Kerrigan
Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident
Movie • 1976
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Gentleman Jim
Movie • 1942
George Corbett (uncredited)
Castle on the Hudson
Movie • 1940
Death Row Guard (uncredited)
It All Came True
Movie • 1940
Roaring 90's Club Doorman (uncredited)
Knute Rockne All American
Movie • 1940
Army Assistant Coach (uncredited)
Florian
Movie • 1940
Policeman
The Golden Fleecing
Movie • 1940
Cop (uncredited)
And One Was Beautiful
Movie • 1940
McRafferty
Girl in 313
Movie • 1940
Det. Carvin
The Ghost Breakers
Movie • 1940
Hotel Porter (uncredited)
Rhythm on the River
Movie • 1940
Detective
The Way of All Flesh
Movie • 1940
Policeman
The Great Profile
Movie • 1940
Detective
Women Without Names
Movie • 1940
Guard
Thank Your Lucky Stars
Movie • 1943
Policeman (uncredited)
The Lost Spider Pit Sequence
Movie • 2005
Second Mate Briggs (archive footage)
Angel on My Shoulder
Movie • 1946
Dan Bellamy
Rock Island Trail
Movie • 1950
Railroad Workman
Easy to Wed
Movie • 1946
Joe
Robin Hood Of Texas
Movie • 1947
Captain Danforth
Chinatown Squad
Movie • 1935
Detective
La Conga Nights
Movie • 1940
Grogin
Captain Hurricane
Movie • 1935
Freighter Officer
Trouble Along the Way
Movie • 1953
Coach Buck Holman
I Beheld His Glory
Movie • 1953
Longinus
Tough as They Come
Movie • 1942
Process Server
Four Mothers
Movie • 1941
Demolition Man (uncredited)
The Plunderers
Movie • 1948
Sergeant Major
Western Union
Movie • 1941
Deputy Sheriff
Ride 'Em Cowboy
Movie • 1941
Railroad Detective #2 (uncredited)
Star of Texas
Movie • 1953
Texas Rangers Capt. Sturdivant
Ten Gentlemen from West Point
Movie • 1942
Capt. Luddy
Texas
Movie • 1941
Abilene Fight Announcer
Johnny Rocco
Movie • 1958
Mooney
Shockproof
Movie • 1949
Policeman in Park (Uncredited)
Big Town Czar
Movie • 1939
George Mitchell
Big Town Girl
Movie • 1937
State Trooper
Double Alibi
Movie • 1940
Patrolman Johnson
New York Town
Movie • 1941
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
Angel's Holiday
Movie • 1937
Detective
Dangerous Number
Movie • 1937
Cab Driver
Shipmates Forever
Movie • 1935
Lieutenant (uncredited)
I Wake Up Screaming
Movie • 1941
Detective (uncredited)
Million Dollar Mermaid
Movie • 1952
Conductor
Fighting Coast Guard
Movie • 1951
Commander Rogers
Tars and Spars
Movie • 1946
Chief Bosun Mate Gurney
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff
Movie • 1949
Insp. Wellman
Once Upon a Time
Movie • 1944
Man in Subway (uncredited)
Song of the Thin Man
Movie • 1947
Policeman Reardon (uncredited)
Affectionately Yours
Movie • 1941
Tomassetti
Action in the North Atlantic
Movie • 1943
Merchant Marine School Lieutenant-Commander (uncredited)
The Big Race
Movie • 1934
Bill Figg
Corvette K-225
Movie • 1943
1st Lt. Bill Gardner
Circumstantial Evidence
Movie • 1945
Guard
Hot Water
Movie • 1937
Policeman (uncredited)
Something to Shout About
Movie • 1943
Policeman
Heaven Can Wait
Movie • 1943
Policeman (uncredited)
Mission to Moscow
Movie • 1943
American Senator (uncredited)
Rendezvous with Annie
Movie • 1946
Turnkey (uncredited)
I Promise to Pay
Movie • 1937
Bill Seaver
Murder, He Says
Movie • 1945
Police Officer (uncredited)
Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President
Movie • 1939
Policeman
Strange Affair
Movie • 1944
Bank Security Guard (uncredited)
Only Yesterday
Movie • 1933
Billy (Uncredited)
The Duke of West Point
Movie • 1938
Plebe Hockey Coach
My Favorite Brunette
Movie • 1947
Det. Lt. 'Mac' Hennessey (uncredited)
'G' Men
Movie • 1935
Agent with Jean (uncredited)
Public Hero Number 1
Movie • 1935
Flavin - Federal Agent (uncredited)
Hollywood Canteen
Movie • 1944
Marine Sergeant (uncredited)
Special Agent
Movie • 1935
Agent Arresting Julie (uncredited)
Dishonored Lady
Movie • 1947
Police Sergeant Patella
Buck Privates
Movie • 1941
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
It Ain't Hay
Movie • 1943
Cop (uncredited)
Night in New Orleans
Movie • 1942
Egan (uncredited)
Over 21
Movie • 1945
Captain (uncredited)
Mister Roberts
Movie • 1955
Military Policeman
Private Affairs
Movie • 1940
Doorman (uncredited)
The Noose Hangs High
Movie • 1948
Traffic Cop (uncredited)
Pot o' Gold
Movie • 1941
Sheriff Bud Connolly
You Only Live Once
Movie • 1937
State Trooper (uncredited)
Riding High
Movie • 1943
Train Conductor
The Spider
Movie • 1945
Officer Johnny Tracy
The Restless Breed
Movie • 1957
Secret Service Chief
My Man Godfrey
Movie • 1936
Detective (uncredited)
Joe Palooka in the Knockout
Movie • 1947
Policeman
Rhubarb
Movie • 1951
O'Leary, Manhattan Police Chief (uncredited)
Young Widow
Movie • 1946
Subway Conductor (Uncredited)
Ziegfeld Girl
Movie • 1941
Buck (uncredited)
Okay, America!
Movie • 1932
Undetermined Role (uncredited)
Kid Glove Killer
Movie • 1942
Keenan - Detective Grilling Eddie (uncredited)
Beloved
Movie • 1934
Wilcox
Queen of the Mob
Movie • 1940
Third FBI Director
Mickey the Kid
Movie • 1939
Sanders
The All-American
Movie • 1932
Don Lindsay
Swing Shift Maisie
Movie • 1943
Radio Policeman (Uncredited)
Secret Service Investigator
Movie • 1948
Police Inspector Thorndyke
The Velvet Touch
Movie • 1948
Sgt. Oliphant
Step by Step
Movie • 1946
Woods
Nightmare Alley
Movie • 1947
Hoatley / First Carnival Owner (uncredited)
Hot Steel
Movie • 1940
Storm Swenson
Test Pilot
Movie • 1938
Pilot (uncredited)
South Sea Sinner
Movie • 1950
Andrews
The Last Hurrah
Movie • 1958
Police Capt. Michael J. Shanahan (uncredited)
Return of the Dead
Movie • 1954
Judd Harrison
The Luckiest Girl in the World
Movie • 1936
Policeman
Broadway
Movie • 1942
Doorman (uncredited)
Johnny Angel
Movie • 1945
Flavin, Mate of the Quincy (uncredited)
Straight from the Heart
Movie • 1935
Policeman
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Movie • 1963
Patrolman (uncredited)
Hold That Blonde!
Movie • 1945
Laundry Truck Driver (uncredited)
As We Forgive
Movie • 1952
When Tomorrow Comes
Movie • 1939
Coard Guard Man on Road (uncredited)
Critic's Choice
Movie • 1963
Security Guard (uncredited)
Fighter Attack
Movie • 1953
Col. Allison
Come Fill the Cup
Movie • 1951
Russ - Homicide Captain (uncredited)
Too Hot to Handle
Movie • 1938
Young Reporter (uncredited)
The Strawberry Blonde
Movie • 1941
Ticket Inspector on Boat (uncredited)
Mister Ed
TV • 1961
Burke's Law
TV • 1963
Officer Danny Robin
Cain's Hundred
TV • 1961
Arnie Kellwin
December Bride
TV • 1954
The Brady Bunch
TV • 1969
The Lucy Show
TV • 1962
Sergeant Wilcox
Surfside 6
TV • 1960
General Electric Theater
TV • 1953
Man with a Camera
TV • 1958
Hallmark Hall of Fame
TV • 1951
Captain Kimble
The Twilight Zone
TV • 1959
1962 Policeman
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
TV • 1955
Joe Felix
Sam Benedict
TV • 1962
The Millionaire
TV • 1955
Dan Mulcahy
Lux Video Theatre
TV • 1950
Steve
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
TV • 1951
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
TV • 1957
Sam Cooper
Climax!
TV • 1954
Hogan
Pete and Gladys
TV • 1960
Lux Video Theatre
TV • 1950
Heineman
Matinee Theater
TV • 1955
The Pruitts of Southampton
TV • 1966
Navy Log
TV • 1955
Col. Flynn
The Rifleman
TV • 1958
The Addams Family
TV • 1964
Lt. Poston
Mr. Novak
TV • 1963
Fire Chief Hawkins
Racket Squad
TV • 1951
The New Breed
TV • 1961
Moose
Public Defender
TV • 1954
Cavalcade of America
TV • 1952
Dr. Kildare
TV • 1961
John Dolan
City Detective
TV • 1953
Dangerous Assignment
TV • 1952
Coronado 9
TV • 1960
The Roaring 20's
TV • 1960
Johnny Midnight
TV • 1960
Letter to Loretta
TV • 1953
MacNamara
Alcoa Theatre
TV • 1957
Gavin Marshall
The Living Christ
TV • 1951
Longinus
The Twilight Zone
TV • 1959
Truck Driver
General Electric Theater
TV • 1953
Callahan
Letter to Loretta
TV • 1953
Sgt. Danny Doofle
Letter to Loretta
TV • 1953
Deputy Mason
Four Star Playhouse
TV • 1952
Mr. Swanson
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
TV • 1955
Tony - The Doorman
Hallmark Hall of Fame
TV • 1951
General Charles Lee
I Love Lucy
TV • 1951
Immigration Officer
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
TV • 1955
Dan
Death Valley Days
TV • 1952
Perry
The Abbott and Costello Show
TV • 1952
Joe Kelly
State Trooper
TV • 1956
Police Capt. Daniel Box
Lux Video Theatre
TV • 1950
Detective