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