Acting
James Flavin
EN, FR cinema · 278 credits
Born
14 May 1906
Died
23 April 1976 (aged 69)
Birthplace
Portland, Maine, USA
Also known as James William Flavin Jr. · James Flaven · Jim 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.
Known for
Filmography
The Lost Spider Pit Sequence
as Second Mate Briggs (archive footage)
Law and Order
as Capt. Toomey
Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident
as President Dwight D. Eisenhower
In Cold Blood
as Clarence Duntz
Good Times
as Lieutenant
Cheyenne Autumn
as Ft. Robinson Sergeant of the Guard (uncredited)
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
as Patrolman (uncredited)
Critic's Choice
as Security Guard (uncredited)
Johnny Rocco
as Mooney
The Last Hurrah
as Police Capt. Michael J. Shanahan (uncredited)
Night Passage
as Tim Riley
Wild Is the Wind
as Wool Buyer
Footsteps in the Night
as Mr. Bradbury
Hold That Hypnotist
as Jake Morgan
The Restless Breed
as Secret Service Chief
The Wings of Eagles
as MP at Garden Party (uncredited)
Francis in the Haunted House
as Police Chief Martin
Never Say Goodbye
as Timmy
The Naked Street
as Attorney Michael X. Flanders
Apache Ambush
as Col. Marshall
Mister Roberts
as Military Policeman
Dragonfly Squadron
as Doctor
Massacre Canyon
as Col. Tarant
Return of the Dead
as Judd Harrison
Confidentially Connie
as Harry (uncredited)
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars
as First Policeman in Bank
Hot News
as Al Bragg
Trouble Along the Way
as Coach Buck Holman
I Beheld His Glory
as Longinus
Star of Texas
as Texas Rangers Capt. Sturdivant
Fighter Attack
as Col. Allison
Here Come the Marines
as Lieutenant-Colonel at End
Sailor Beware
as Petty Officer (uncredited)
O. Henry's Full House
as Cop (segment "The Cop and the Anthem") (uncredited)
Carrie
as Mike - Bartender (uncredited)
Million Dollar Mermaid
as Conductor
Follow the Sun
as Henry Gibbs
Operation Pacific
as SP Commander
Oh! Susanna
as Capt. Worth
According to Mrs. Hoyle
as Prosecuting Attorney
Fighting Coast Guard
as Commander Rogers
Rhubarb
as O'Leary, Manhattan Police Chief (uncredited)
Come Fill the Cup
as Russ - Homicide Captain (uncredited)
Armored Car Robbery
as Lt. Phillips
Destination Murder
as Police Lt. Brewster
The Savage Horde
as Guard
When Willie Comes Marching Home
as Gen. Brevort (uncredited)
Dakota Lil
as Secret Service Chief
Rock Island Trail
as Railroad Workman
South Sea Sinner
as Andrews
Blondie Hits the Jackpot
as Brophy
The Devil's Henchmen
as Police Sergeant Briggs
Mighty Joe Young
as Schultz
Homicide
as Det. Lt. Boylan
Prison Warden
as Guard Capt. Peter Butler
Mississippi Rhythm
as Stan Caldwell
Shockproof
as Policeman in Park (Uncredited)
My Girl Tisa
as Guard (uncredited)
Sleep, My Love
as Lieutenant Mitchell
Bungalow 13
as Lt. Sam Wilson
One Touch of Venus
as Kerrigan
The Plunderers
as Sergeant Major
The Noose Hangs High
as Traffic Cop (uncredited)
Secret Service Investigator
as Police Inspector Thorndyke
The Velvet Touch
as Sgt. Oliphant
Desert Fury
as Pat Johnson
Nora Prentiss
as District Attorney
It Happened on Fifth Avenue
as First Policeman (uncredited)
Unconquered
as Villager (uncredited)
Robin Hood Of Texas
as Captain Danforth
Song of the Thin Man
as Policeman Reardon (uncredited)
My Favorite Brunette
as Det. Lt. 'Mac' Hennessey (uncredited)
Dishonored Lady
as Police Sergeant Patella
Joe Palooka in the Knockout
as Policeman
Nightmare Alley
as Hoatley / First Carnival Owner (uncredited)
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers
as Police Detective #1
Nobody Lives Forever
as Shake Thomas
Cloak and Dagger
as Col. Walsh
The Missing Lady
as Police Insp. Cardona
Boys' Ranch
as Policeman (uncredited)
A Stolen Life
as Investigator (uncredited)
Sentimental Journey
as Detective Sgt. McFarland (uncredited)
Angel on My Shoulder
as Dan Bellamy
Easy to Wed
as Joe
Tars and Spars
as Chief Bosun Mate Gurney
Rendezvous with Annie
as Turnkey (uncredited)
Young Widow
as Subway Conductor (Uncredited)
Step by Step
as Woods
The Shanghai Cobra
as H.R. Jarvis
God Is My Co-Pilot
as Major at Kweilin Airbase (uncredited)
Anchors Aweigh
as Radio Cop
Mildred Pierce
as Detective (uncredited)
Murder, He Says
as Police Officer (uncredited)
Over 21
as Captain (uncredited)
The Spider
as Officer Johnny Tracy
Johnny Angel
as Flavin, Mate of the Quincy (uncredited)
Hold That Blonde!
as Laundry Truck Driver (uncredited)
Abroad with Two Yanks
as Sgt. Wiggins
Christmas Holiday
as Policeman (uncredited)
Uncertain Glory
as Captain of Mobile Guard
Laura
as Det. McEveety (uncredited)
Once Upon a Time
as Man in Subway (uncredited)
Strange Affair
as Bank Security Guard (uncredited)
Hollywood Canteen
as Marine Sergeant (uncredited)
So Proudly We Hail
as Captain O'Brien (Uncredited)
I Dood It
as Federal Agent (uncredited)
Murder on the Waterfront
as Cmdr. Kalin
Air Force
as Maj. A.M. Bagley
Thank Your Lucky Stars
as Policeman (uncredited)
Action in the North Atlantic
as Merchant Marine School Lieutenant-Commander (uncredited)
Corvette K-225
as 1st Lt. Bill Gardner
Something to Shout About
as Policeman
Heaven Can Wait
as Policeman (uncredited)
Mission to Moscow
as American Senator (uncredited)
It Ain't Hay
as Cop (uncredited)
Riding High
as Train Conductor
Swing Shift Maisie
as Radio Policeman (Uncredited)
Fingers at the Window
as Police Lieutenant Schaeffer
Reap the Wild Wind
as Girl's Father (uncredited)
A Yank on the Burma Road
as Police Dispatcher
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty
as Policeman
Treat 'Em Rough
1942
Treat 'Em Rough
as Joe Trosper
Saboteur
as Motorcycle Cop (voice) (uncredited)
Thru Different Eyes
as Thomas
Gentleman Jim
as George Corbett (uncredited)
Tough as They Come
as Process Server
Ride 'Em Cowboy
as Railroad Detective #2 (uncredited)
Ten Gentlemen from West Point
as Capt. Luddy
Night in New Orleans
as Egan (uncredited)
Kid Glove Killer
as Keenan - Detective Grilling Eddie (uncredited)
Broadway
as Doorman (uncredited)
Manpower
as Orderly About to Give Bath (uncredited)
Kathleen
as Moving Man
Belle Starr
as Sergeant
We Go Fast
as Police Lt. Bardette
Pot o' Gold
as Sheriff Bud Connolly (uncredited), as Sheriff Bud Connolly
The Wild Man of Borneo
as Policeman (uncredited)
Bedtime Story
as Hotel Guest in Room 625 (uncredited)
Hold Back the Dawn
as Immigration Guard (uncredited)
The Night of January 16th
as Policeman Kelly
Ride on Vaquero
as Officer Johnson
Four Mothers
as Demolition Man (uncredited)
Western Union
as Deputy Sheriff
Texas
as Abilene Fight Announcer
New York Town
as Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
I Wake Up Screaming
as Detective (uncredited)
Affectionately Yours
as Tomassetti
Buck Privates
as Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
Ziegfeld Girl
as Buck (uncredited)
The Strawberry Blonde
as Ticket Inspector on Boat (uncredited)
Youth Will Be Served
as Buck Miller
The Devil's Pipeline
as Dowling
Broadway Melody of 1940
as Clancy (uncredited)
Manhattan Heartbeat
as Truck Driver
Lucky Cisco Kid
as Ranch Foreman
South of Pago Pago
as Cafe Customer
The Grapes of Wrath
as Guard (uncredited)
Remember the Night
as Court Attendant (uncredited)
The Fighting 69th
as Supply Sergeant (uncredited)
Brother Orchid
as Parking Attendant at Fat Dutchy's (uncredited)
Johnny Apollo
as Prison Guard In Library (uncredited)
When the Daltons Rode
as Annabella's Brother
North West Mounted Police
as Mountie
Tin Pan Alley
as Army Sergeant (uncredited)
The Long Voyage Home
as Dock Policeman
Castle on the Hudson
as Death Row Guard (uncredited)
It All Came True
as Roaring 90's Club Doorman (uncredited)
Knute Rockne All American
as Army Assistant Coach (uncredited)
Florian
as Policeman
The Golden Fleecing
as Cop (uncredited)
And One Was Beautiful
as McRafferty
Girl in 313
as Det. Carvin
Rhythm on the River
as Detective
The Ghost Breakers
as Hotel Porter (uncredited)
The Way of All Flesh
as Policeman
The Great Profile
as Detective
Women Without Names
as Guard
La Conga Nights
as Grogin
Double Alibi
as Patrolman Johnson
Private Affairs
as Doorman (uncredited)
Queen of the Mob
as Third FBI Director
Hot Steel
as Storm Swenson
Mr. Wong in Chinatown
as Police Sgt. Jerry
The Cisco Kid and the Lady
as Sergeant
They All Come Out
as Officer (uncredited)
Irish Luck
as Fluger
Tell No Tales
as Officer Simmons (uncredited)
Jesse James
as Cavalry Captain (uncredited)
The Ice Follies of 1939
as Doorman (uncredited)
Union Pacific
as Paddy (uncredited)
Rose of Washington Square
as Guard (uncredited)
They Shall Have Music
as Police Sergeant (uncredited)
The Gracie Allen Murder Case
as Turnkey
Each Dawn I Die
as Policeman (uncredited)
Sergeant Madden
as Police Interrogator
Fast and Furious
as Policeman Guarding Entrance (uncredited)
The Roaring Twenties
as Policeman (uncredited)
Everybody's Baby
as Police Announcer (uncredited)
Code of the Streets
as Doorman
Big Town Czar
as George Mitchell
Mickey the Kid
as Sanders
When Tomorrow Comes
as Coard Guard Man on Road (uncredited)
Three Loves Has Nancy
as Jack's Friend (uncredited)
Mannequin
as Burly Man (Uncredited)
Alexander's Ragtime Band
as Army Captain (uncredited)
Born to Be Wild
as Striker (uncredited)
Wives Under Suspicion
as Jenks (uncredited)
Convicts at Large
as Detective Sgt. Berkovich
Lightning Carson Rides Again
as Justice Department Agent
While New York Sleeps
as 2nd Cop
Night Spot
as Kidnapper
Blondie
as Policeman in Accident Car (uncredited)
Everybody's Doing It
as Detective Hayes
Start Cheering
as Gas Station Attendant
You Can't Take It with You
as Jailer (uncredited)
I Am the Law
as George - Witness (uncredited)
Miracle Money
as Cop (uncredited)
Gateway
as Guard
The Duke of West Point
as Plebe Hockey Coach
Test Pilot
as Pilot (uncredited)
Too Hot to Handle
as Young Reporter (uncredited)
Girls Can Play
as Det. Bill O'Malley
My Dear Miss Aldrich
as Dr. Spitzy Calahan (uncredited)
Midnight Taxi
as Detective McCormick
Live, Love and Learn
as Marine Who Likes Painting (uncredited)
Dangerously Yours
as Driver
Big Town Girl
as State Trooper
Angel's Holiday
as Detective
Dangerous Number
as Cab Driver
Hot Water
as Policeman (uncredited)
I Promise to Pay
as Bill Seaver
You Only Live Once
as State Trooper (uncredited)
Charlie Chan at the Race Track
as Detective
How to Behave
as Man in Manhole (uncredited)
They Met in a Taxi
as Policeman
My Man Godfrey
as Detective (uncredited)
The Luckiest Girl in the World
as Policeman
Man on the Flying Trapeze
as Chauffeur (uncredited)
The Murder Man
as Policeman at Merry-Go-Round (uncredited)
Rendezvous
as 2st Military Policeman (uncredited)
Woman Wanted
as Mac - Policeman (uncredited)
Secrets of Chinatown
as Brandhma
The Daring Young Man
as Informant on Telephone
Chinatown Squad
as Detective
Captain Hurricane
as Freighter Officer
Shipmates Forever
as Lieutenant (uncredited)
Public Hero Number 1
as Flavin - Federal Agent (uncredited)
'G' Men
as Agent with Jean (uncredited)
Special Agent
as Agent Arresting Julie (uncredited)
Straight from the Heart
as Policeman
Wild Gold
as Detective (uncredited)
The Brand of Hate
as Holt Larkins
The Affairs of Cellini
as Palace Guard (uncredited)
Baby Take a Bow
as Flannigan
The Big Race
as Bill Figg
Beloved
as Wilcox
King Kong
as Mate Briggs
Riot Squad
as Det. Mack McCue
Hello, Sister!
as Fireman
Ship of Wanted Men
as Frank Busch
Only Yesterday
as Billy (Uncredited)
The Most Dangerous Game
as First Mate on Yacht (uncredited)
McKenna of the Mounted
as Corporal Randall McKenna
The Airmail Mystery
as Bob Lee
Back Street
as Reporter (uncredited)
Okay, America!
as Undetermined Role (uncredited)
The All-American
as Don Lindsay
Air Mail
as Man with Radio Report (uncredited)