James Flavin
Born
May 14, 1906
Died
April 23, 1976 (69 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
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.

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

The Brady Bunch
(1 episode)
1969

In Cold Blood
Clarence Duntz
1967

Good Times
Lieutenant
1967

The Pruitts of Southampton
(1 episode)
1966

The Further Adventures of Gallegher
Lt. Flynn
1965

Cheyenne Autumn
Ft. Robinson Sergeant of the Guard (uncredited)
1964

The Addams Family
Lt. Poston · (1 episode)
1964

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Patrolman (uncredited)
1963

Mr. Novak
Fire Chief Hawkins · (1 episode)
1963

Burke's Law
Officer Danny Robin · (1 episode)
1963

The Lucy Show
Sergeant Wilcox · (2 episodes)
1962

Sam Benedict
(1 episode)
1962

The New Breed
Moose · (1 episode)
1961

Dr. Kildare
John Dolan · (2 episodes)
1961

Cain's Hundred
Arnie Kellwin · (1 episode)
1961

Mister Ed
(7 episodes)
1961

The Roaring 20's
(45 episodes)
1960

Surfside 6
(1 episode)
1960

Pete and Gladys
(2 episodes)
1960

Coronado 9
(1 episode)
1960

Johnny Midnight
(1 episode)
1960

The Twilight Zone
1962 Policeman · (1 episode)
1959

The Twilight Zone
Truck Driver · (1 episode)
1959

The Last Hurrah
Police Capt. Michael J. Shanahan (uncredited)
1958

Johnny Rocco
Mooney
1958

Man with a Camera
(29 episodes)
1958

The Rifleman
(1 episode)
1958

Wild Is the Wind
Wool Buyer
1957

Alcoa Theatre
Gavin Marshall · (1 episode)
1957

Night Passage
Tim Riley
1957

Richard Diamond, Private Detective
Sam Cooper · (1 episode)
1957

The Restless Breed
Secret Service Chief
1957

Footsteps in the Night
Mr. Bradbury
1957

Hold That Hypnotist
Jake Morgan
1957

State Trooper
Police Capt. Daniel Box · (1 episode)
1956

Francis in the Haunted House
Police Chief Martin
1956

Never Say Goodbye
Timmy
1956

Matinee Theater
(1 episode)
1955

Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Joe Felix · (1 episode)
1955

Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Tony - The Doorman · (1 episode)
1955

Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Dan · (1 episode)
1955
Navy Log
Col. Flynn · (2 episodes)
1955

Apache Ambush
Col. Marshall
1955

The Naked Street
Attorney Michael X. Flanders
1955

Mister Roberts
Military Policeman
1955

The Millionaire
Dan Mulcahy · (1 episode)
1955

Climax!
Hogan · (1 episode)
1954

December Bride
(1 episode)
1954

Return of the Dead
Judd Harrison
1954

Massacre Canyon
Col. Tarant
1954

Dragonfly Squadron
Doctor
1954

Public Defender
(1 episode)
1954

The Eddie Cantor Story
Kelly
1953

Hot News
Al Bragg
1953

Letter to Loretta
MacNamara · (1 episode)
1953

Letter to Loretta
Deputy Mason · (1 episode)
1953

Letter to Loretta
Sgt. Danny Doofle · (1 episode)
1953

City Detective
(1 episode)
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

General Electric Theater
(1 episode)
1953

General Electric Theater
Callahan · (1 episode)
1953

Star of Texas
Texas Rangers Capt. Sturdivant
1953

The Abbott and Costello Show
Joe Kelly · (1 episode)
1952

Million Dollar Mermaid
Conductor
1952

Cavalcade of America
(2 episodes)
1952

Death Valley Days
Perry · (1 episode)
1952
Four Star Playhouse
Mr. Swanson · (1 episode)
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

Dangerous Assignment
(2 episodes)
1952

Hallmark Hall of Fame
Captain Kimble · (1 episode)
1951

Hallmark Hall of Fame
General Charles Lee · (1 episode)
1951

I Love Lucy
Immigration Officer · (1 episode)
1951

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
(1 episode)
1951

Rhubarb
O'Leary, Manhattan Police Chief (uncredited)
1951

Racket Squad
(2 episodes)
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

The Living Christ
Longinus · (12 episodes)
1951
Lux Video Theatre
Steve · (1 episode)
1950
Lux Video Theatre
Heineman · (1 episode)
1950

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 Henchman
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
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

Christmas Holiday
Policeman
1944

Once Upon a Time
Man in Subway (uncredited)
1944

Uncertain Glory
Captain of Mobile Guard
1944

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

It Ain't Hay
Cop (uncredited)
1943

Something to Shout About
Policeman
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

Saboteur
Motorcycle Cop (voice) (uncredited)
1942

Fingers at the Window
Police Lieutenant Schaeffer
1942

Kid Glove Killer
Keenan - Detective Grilling Eddie (uncredited)
1942

Reap the Wild Wind
Girl's Father (uncredited)
1942

Ride 'Em Cowboy
Railroad Detective #2 (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

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

Pot o' Gold
Sheriff Bud Connolly
1941

Western Union
Deputy Sheriff
1941

Buck Privates
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
1941

The Wild Man of Borneo
Policeman
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

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

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

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