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