James Flavin
Acting
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.
TV Shows(44)
The Brady Bunch
1969
It Takes a Thief
Gen. Levin
1968
The Pruitts of Southampton
1966
The Addams Family
Lt. Poston
1964
Mr. Novak
Fire Chief Hawkins
1963
Burke's Law
Officer Danny Robin
1963
The Lucy Show
Sergeant Wilcox
1962
Sam Benedict
1962
The New Breed
Moose
1961
Dr. Kildare
John Dolan
1961
Cain's Hundred
Arnie Kellwin
1961
Mister Ed
1961
The Roaring 20's
Robert Howard
1960
Surfside 6
1960
Pete and Gladys
1960
Coronado 9
1960
Johnny Midnight
1960
The Twilight Zone
1962 Policeman
1959
Man with a Camera
1958
The Rifleman
1958
Alcoa Theatre
Gavin Marshall
1957
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
Sam Cooper
1957
State Trooper
Police Capt. Daniel Box
1956
Matinee Theater
1955
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Joe Felix
1955
Navy Log
Col. Flynn
1955
The Millionaire
Dan Mulcahy
1955
Climax!
Hogan
1954
December Bride
1954
Public Defender
1954
Letter to Loretta
MacNamara
1953
City Detective
1953
General Electric Theater
1953
The Abbott and Costello Show
Joe Kelly
1952
Cavalcade of America
1952
Death Valley Days
Perry
1952
Four Star Playhouse
Mr. Swanson
1952
Dangerous Assignment
1952
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Captain Kimble
1951
I Love Lucy
Immigration Officer
1951
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951
Racket Squad
1951
The Living Christ
Longinus
1951
Lux Video Theatre
Steve
1950
Movies(277)
The Lost Spider Pit Sequence
Second Mate Briggs (archive footage)
2005
Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
1976
Law and Order
Capt. Toomey
1976
In Cold Blood
Clarence Duntz
1967
Good Times
Lieutenant
1967
The Further Adventures of Gallegher
Lt. Flynn
1965
Cheyenne Autumn
Ft. Robinson Sergeant of the Guard (uncredited)
1964
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Patrolman (uncredited)
1963
Critic's Choice
Security Guard (uncredited)
1963
The Last Hurrah
Police Capt. Michael J. Shanahan (uncredited)
1958
Johnny Rocco
Mooney
1958
Wild Is the Wind
Wool Buyer
1957
Night Passage
Tim Riley
1957
The Restless Breed
Secret Service Chief
1957
Footsteps in the Night
Mr. Bradbury
1957
Hold That Hypnotist
Jake Morgan
1957
Francis in the Haunted House
Police Chief Martin
1956
Never Say Goodbye
Timmy
1956
Apache Ambush
Col. Marshall
1955
The Naked Street
Attorney Michael X. Flanders
1955
Mister Roberts
Military Policeman
1955
Return of the Dead
Judd Harrison
1954
Massacre Canyon
Col. Tarant
1954
Dragonfly Squadron
Doctor
1954
The Eddie Cantor Story
Kelly
1953
Fighter Attack
Col. Allison
1953
Hot News
Al Bragg
1953
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars
First Policeman in Bank
1953
Trouble Along the Way
Coach Buck Holman
1953
I Beheld His Glory
Longinus
1953
Confidentially Connie
Harry (uncredited)
1953
Star of Texas
Texas Rangers Capt. Sturdivant
1953
Million Dollar Mermaid
Conductor
1952
O. Henry's Full House
Cop (segment "The Cop and the Anthem") (uncredited)
1952
Carrie
Mike - Bartender (uncredited)
1952
Here Come the Marines
Lieutenant-Colonel at End
1952
Sailor Beware
Petty Officer (uncredited)
1952
As We Forgive
1952
Come Fill the Cup
Russ - Homicide Captain (uncredited)
1951
Rhubarb
O'Leary, Manhattan Police Chief (uncredited)
1951
Fighting Coast Guard
Commander Rogers
1951
Follow the Sun
Henry Gibbs
1951
According to Mrs. Hoyle
Prosecuting Attorney
1951
Oh! Susanna
Capt. Worth
1951
Operation Pacific
SP Commander
1951
South Sea Sinner
Andrews
1950
Destination Murder
Police Lt. Brewster
1950
Armored Car Robbery
Lt. Phillips
1950
The Savage Horde
Guard
1950
Rock Island Trail
Railroad Workman
1950
When Willie Comes Marching Home
Gen. Brevort (uncredited)
1950
Dakota Lil
Secret Service Chief
1950
Prison Warden
Guard Capt. Peter Butler
1949
The Devil's Henchmen
Police Sergeant Briggs
1949
Blondie Hits the Jackpot
Brophy
1949
Mighty Joe Young
Schultz
1949
Mississippi Rhythm
Stan Caldwell
1949
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff
Insp. Wellman
1949
Flamingo Road
1949
Homicide
Det. Lt. Boylan
1949
Shockproof
Policeman in Park (Uncredited)
1949
Bungalow 13
Lt. Sam Wilson
1948
The Plunderers
Sergeant Major
1948
One Touch of Venus
Kerrigan
1948
The Velvet Touch
Sgt. Oliphant
1948
Secret Service Investigator
Police Inspector Thorndyke
1948
The Noose Hangs High
Traffic Cop (uncredited)
1948
Sleep, My Love
Lieutenant Mitchell
1948
My Girl Tisa
Guard (uncredited)
1948
Unconquered
Villager (uncredited)
1947
Nightmare Alley
Hoatley / First Carnival Owner (uncredited)
1947
Joe Palooka in the Knockout
Policeman
1947
Song of the Thin Man
Policeman Reardon (uncredited)
1947
Desert Fury
Pat Johnson
1947
Robin Hood Of Texas
Captain Danforth
1947
Dishonored Lady
Police Sergeant Patella
1947
It Happened on Fifth Avenue
First Policeman (uncredited)
1947
My Favorite Brunette
Det. Lt. 'Mac' Hennessey (uncredited)
1947
Nora Prentiss
District Attorney
1947
Nobody Lives Forever
Shake Thomas
1946
Cloak and Dagger
Col. Walsh
1946
Angel on My Shoulder
Dan Bellamy
1946
Step by Step
Woods
1946
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers
Police Detective #1
1946
The Missing Lady
Police Insp. Cardona
1946
Easy to Wed
Joe
1946
Rendezvous with Annie
Turnkey (uncredited)
1946
Boys' Ranch
Policeman (uncredited)
1946
A Stolen Life
Investigator (uncredited)
1946
Sentimental Journey
Detective Sgt. McFarland (uncredited)
1946
Young Widow
Subway Conductor (Uncredited)
1946
Tars and Spars
Chief Bosun Mate Gurney
1946
The Spider
Officer Johnny Tracy
1945
Hold That Blonde!
Laundry Truck Driver (uncredited)
1945
Johnny Angel
Flavin, Mate of the Quincy (uncredited)
1945
Mildred Pierce
Detective (uncredited)
1945
The Shanghai Cobra
H.R. Jarvis
1945
Anchors Aweigh
Radio Cop
1945
Over 21
Captain (uncredited)
1945
Murder, He Says
Police Officer (uncredited)
1945
Circumstantial Evidence
Guard
1945
God Is My Co-Pilot
Major at Kweilin Airbase (uncredited)
1945
Hollywood Canteen
Marine Sergeant (uncredited)
1944
Laura
Det. McEveety (uncredited)
1944
Strange Affair
Bank Security Guard (uncredited)
1944
Abroad with Two Yanks
Sgt. Wiggins
1944
Mr. Winkle Goes to War
1944
Once Upon a Time
Man in Subway (uncredited)
1944
Christmas Holiday
Policeman (uncredited)
1944
Uncertain Glory
Captain of Mobile Guard
1944
There's Something About a Soldier
1943
Riding High
Train Conductor
1943
Swing Shift Maisie
Radio Policeman (Uncredited)
1943
Corvette K-225
1st Lt. Bill Gardner
1943
Thank Your Lucky Stars
Policeman (uncredited)
1943
Murder on the Waterfront
Cmdr. Kalin
1943
So Proudly We Hail
Captain O'Brien (Uncredited)
1943
I Dood It
Federal Agent (uncredited)
1943
Heaven Can Wait
Policeman (uncredited)
1943
Action in the North Atlantic
Merchant Marine School Lieutenant-Commander (uncredited)
1943
Mission to Moscow
American Senator (uncredited)
1943
Air Force
Maj. A.M. Bagley
1943
Something to Shout About
Policeman
1943
It Ain't Hay
Cop (uncredited)
1943
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty
Policeman
1942
Gentleman Jim
George Corbett (uncredited)
1942
Night in New Orleans
Egan (uncredited)
1942
Ten Gentlemen from West Point
Capt. Luddy
1942
Thru Different Eyes
Thomas
1942
Tough as They Come
Process Server
1942
Broadway
Doorman (uncredited)
1942
Fingers at the Window
Police Lieutenant Schaeffer
1942
Saboteur
Motorcycle Cop (voice) (uncredited)
1942
Kid Glove Killer
Keenan - Detective Grilling Eddie (uncredited)
1942
Reap the Wild Wind
Girl's Father (uncredited)
1942
Treat 'Em Rough
Joe Trosper
1942
A Yank on the Burma Road
Police Dispatcher
1942
Bedtime Story
Hotel Guest in Room 625 (uncredited)
1941
Kathleen
Moving Man
1941
The Night of January 16th
Policeman Kelly
1941
Ride 'Em Cowboy
Railroad Detective #2 (uncredited)
1941
New York Town
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
1941
I Wake Up Screaming
Detective (uncredited)
1941
Texas
Abilene Fight Announcer
1941
Hold Back the Dawn
Immigration Guard (uncredited)
1941
We Go Fast
Police Lt. Bardette
1941
Belle Starr
Sergeant
1941
Manpower
Orderly About to Give Bath (uncredited)
1941
Affectionately Yours
Tomassetti
1941
Ziegfeld Girl
Buck (uncredited)
1941
Ride on Vaquero
Officer Johnson
1941
Pot o' Gold
Sheriff Bud Connolly (uncredited)
1941
Western Union
Deputy Sheriff
1941
The Strawberry Blonde
Ticket Inspector on Boat (uncredited)
1941
Buck Privates
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
1941
The Wild Man of Borneo
Policeman (uncredited)
1941
Four Mothers
Demolition Man (uncredited)
1941
Tin Pan Alley
Army Sergeant (uncredited)
1940
Youth Will Be Served
Buck Miller
1940
The Long Voyage Home
Dock Policeman
1940
The Devil's Pipeline
Dowling
1940
North West Mounted Police
Mountie
1940
Knute Rockne All American
Army Assistant Coach (uncredited)
1940
The Great Profile
Detective
1940
Rhythm on the River
Detective
1940
When the Daltons Rode
Annabella's Brother
1940
The Golden Fleecing
Cop (uncredited)
1940
South of Pago Pago
Cafe Customer
1940
Manhattan Heartbeat
Truck Driver
1940
The Way of All Flesh
Policeman
1940
Private Affairs
Doorman (uncredited)
1940
Lucky Cisco Kid
Ranch Foreman
1940
Queen of the Mob
Third FBI Director
1940
The Ghost Breakers
Hotel Porter (uncredited)
1940
Brother Orchid
Parking Attendant at Fat Dutchy's (uncredited)
1940
Florian
Policeman
1940
Girl in 313
Det. Carvin
1940
La Conga Nights
Grogin
1940
Hot Steel
Storm Swenson
1940
Johnny Apollo
Prison Guard In Library (uncredited)
1940
It All Came True
Roaring 90's Club Doorman (uncredited)
1940
And One Was Beautiful
McRafferty
1940
The Grapes of Wrath
Guard (uncredited)
1940
Women Without Names
Guard
1940
Double Alibi
Patrolman Johnson
1940
Castle on the Hudson
Death Row Guard (uncredited)
1940
Broadway Melody of 1940
Clancy (uncredited)
1940
The Fighting 69th
Supply Sergeant (uncredited)
1940
Remember the Night
Court Attendant (uncredited)
1940
The Cisco Kid and the Lady
Sergeant
1939
Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President
Policeman
1939
The Roaring Twenties
Policeman (uncredited)
1939
Fast and Furious
Policeman Guarding Entrance (uncredited)
1939
Irish Luck
Fluger
1939
Each Dawn I Die
Policeman (uncredited)
1939
They Shall Have Music
Police Sergeant (uncredited)
1939
When Tomorrow Comes
Coard Guard Man on Road (uncredited)
1939
They All Come Out
Officer (uncredited)
1939
Mr. Wong in Chinatown
Police Sgt. Jerry
1939
Mickey the Kid
Sanders
1939
Tell No Tales
Officer Simmons (uncredited)
1939
The Gracie Allen Murder Case
Turnkey
1939
Union Pacific
Paddy (uncredited)
1939
Rose of Washington Square
Guard (uncredited)
1939
Big Town Czar
George Mitchell
1939
Code of the Streets
Doorman
1939
Sergeant Madden
Police Interrogator
1939
Everybody's Baby
Police Announcer (uncredited)
1939
The Ice Follies of 1939
Doorman (uncredited)
1939
Jesse James
Cavalry Captain (uncredited)
1939
The Duke of West Point
Plebe Hockey Coach
1938
While New York Sleeps
2nd Cop
1938
Convicts at Large
Detective Sgt. Berkovich
1938
Blondie
Policeman in Accident Car (uncredited)
1938
Lightning Carson Rides Again
Justice Department Agent
1938
Too Hot to Handle
Young Reporter (uncredited)
1938
Three Loves Has Nancy
Jack's Friend (uncredited)
1938
You Can't Take It with You
Jailer (uncredited)
1938
I Am the Law
George - Witness (uncredited)
1938
Gateway
Guard
1938
Wives Under Suspicion
Jenks - Chauffeur (uncredited)
1938
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Army Captain (uncredited)
1938
Test Pilot
Pilot (uncredited)
1938
Miracle Money
Cop (uncredited)
1938
Start Cheering
Gas Station Attendant
1938
Night Spot
Kidnapper
1938
Born to Be Wild
Striker (uncredited)
1938
Mannequin
Burly Man (Uncredited)
1938
Everybody's Doing It
Detective Hayes
1938
Big Town Girl
State Trooper
1937
Live, Love and Learn
Marine Who Likes Painting (uncredited)
1937
Hot Water
Policeman (uncredited)
1937
Dangerously Yours
Driver
1937
My Dear Miss Aldrich
Dr. Spitzy Calahan (uncredited)
1937
Girls Can Play
Det. Bill O'Malley
1937
Angel's Holiday
Detective
1937
I Promise to Pay
Bill Seaver
1937
Midnight Taxi
Detective McCormick
1937
You Only Live Once
State Trooper (uncredited)
1937
Dangerous Number
Cab Driver
1937
The Luckiest Girl in the World
Policeman
1936
They Met in a Taxi
Policeman
1936
My Man Godfrey
Detective (uncredited)
1936
Charlie Chan at the Race Track
Detective
1936
How to Behave
Man in Manhole (uncredited)
1936
One Way Ticket
Ed
1935
Rendezvous
2st Military Policeman (uncredited)
1935
Shipmates Forever
Lieutenant (uncredited)
1935
Special Agent
Agent Arresting Julie (uncredited)
1935
Man on the Flying Trapeze
Chauffeur (uncredited)
1935
Woman Wanted
Mac - Policeman (uncredited)
1935
The Daring Young Man
Informant on Telephone
1935
The Murder Man
Policeman at Merry-Go-Round (uncredited)
1935
Chinatown Squad
Detective
1935
Public Hero Number 1
Flavin - Federal Agent (uncredited)
1935
'G' Men
Agent with Jean (uncredited)
1935
Straight from the Heart
Policeman
1935
Captain Hurricane
Freighter Officer
1935
Secrets of Chinatown
Brandhma
1935
The Brand of Hate
Holt Larkins
1934
The Affairs of Cellini
Palace Guard (uncredited)
1934
Baby Take a Bow
Flannigan
1934
Wild Gold
Detective (uncredited)
1934
The Big Race
Bill Figg
1934
Beloved
Wilcox
1934
Only Yesterday
Billy (Uncredited)
1933
Ship of Wanted Men
Frank Busch
1933
Riot Squad
Det. Mack McCue
1933
Hello, Sister!
Fireman
1933
King Kong
Mate Briggs
1933
Air Mail
Man with Radio Report (uncredited)
1932
The All-American
Don Lindsay
1932
The Most Dangerous Game
First Mate on Yacht (uncredited)
1932
Okay, America!
Undetermined Role (uncredited)
1932
McKenna of the Mounted
Corporal Randall McKenna
1932
Back Street
Reporter (uncredited)
1932
The Airmail Mystery
Bob Lee
1932