James Flavin - Cast

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Overview Cast Crew
James Flavin

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.

Casted
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    Average Rating
    7.6
    1560 votes
    Release Date
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    94 years ago
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    Average Rating
    7.8
    1056 votes
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    Average Rating
    7.6
    867 votes
    Release Date
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    82 years ago
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    7.0
    646 votes
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    Average Rating
    6.9
    523 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 24, 1942
    85 years ago
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    Average Rating
    7.5
    427 votes
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    Sep 01, 1938
    88 years ago
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    Average Rating
    7.6
    426 votes
    Release Date
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    81 years ago
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    Average Rating
    7.5
    409 votes
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    Average Rating
    7.5
    373 votes
    Release Date
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    90 years ago
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    Average Rating
    6.9
    295 votes
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    Average Rating
    7.5
    252 votes
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    Oct 28, 1939
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    Average Rating
    6.9
    231 votes
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    Average Rating
    7.1
    225 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 09, 1947
    79 years ago
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    Average Rating
    7.1
    186 votes
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    90 years ago
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    Average Rating
    7.1
    178 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 19, 1946
    80 years ago
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    Played Radio Cop

    Average Rating
    6.8
    163 votes
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    81 years ago
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    Average Rating
    7.1
    163 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 10, 1955
    71 years ago
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    Average Rating
    6.7
    138 votes
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    Oct 15, 1964
    62 years ago
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    Played Schultz

    Average Rating
    6.4
    121 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 27, 1949
    77 years ago
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    Played Court Attendant (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    7.3
    116 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 19, 1940
    87 years ago
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    Played Cavalry Captain (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.5
    101 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 14, 1939
    88 years ago
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    Played Dock Policeman

    Average Rating
    6.6
    93 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 16, 1940
    86 years ago
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    Played Policeman Reardon (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.8
    93 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 28, 1947
    79 years ago
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    Played Agent with Jean (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.6
    88 votes
    Release Date
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    92 years ago
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    Played Hotel Porter (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.5
    81 votes
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    87 years ago
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    Played First Policeman (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    7.0
    80 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 17, 1947
    80 years ago
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    Played Deputy Sheriff

    Average Rating
    6.0
    77 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 21, 1941
    86 years ago
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    Played Paddy (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.6
    76 votes
    Release Date
    May 05, 1939
    88 years ago
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    Played Tim Riley

    Average Rating
    6.4
    74 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 24, 1957
    69 years ago
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    Played Detective (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.9
    73 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 31, 1941
    85 years ago
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    Played Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.7
    72 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 31, 1941
    86 years ago
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    Played Pilot (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.5
    71 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 16, 1938
    89 years ago
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    Played George Corbett (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    7.1
    68 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 14, 1942
    84 years ago
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    Played Col. Walsh

    Average Rating
    6.5
    67 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 28, 1946
    80 years ago
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    Played Lt. Phillips

    Average Rating
    6.5
    66 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 08, 1950
    76 years ago
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    Played Ticket Inspector on Boat (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.9
    64 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 21, 1941
    86 years ago
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    Played Police Capt. Michael J. Shanahan (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    7.2
    60 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 31, 1958
    68 years ago
  • Each Dawn I Die

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    Played Policeman (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.8
    59 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 19, 1939
    87 years ago
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    Played Maj. A.M. Bagley

    Average Rating
    6.5
    59 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 20, 1943
    84 years ago
  • Unconquered

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    Played Villager (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.3
    59 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 10, 1947
    79 years ago
  • Reap the Wild Wind

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    Played Girl's Father (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.4
    57 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 26, 1942
    85 years ago
  • Flamingo Road

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    Average Rating
    7.0
    57 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 30, 1949
    78 years ago
  • My Favorite Brunette

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    Played Det. Lt. 'Mac' Hennessey (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.6
    57 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 19, 1947
    80 years ago
  • Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff

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    Played Insp. Wellman

    Average Rating
    6.6
    55 votes
    Release Date
    May 26, 1949
    77 years ago
  • Action in the North Atlantic

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    Played Merchant Marine School Lieutenant-Commander (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    7.1
    55 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 12, 1943
    84 years ago
  • Abbott and Costello Go to Mars

    Abbott and Costello Go to Mars

    Played First Policeman in Bank

    Average Rating
    5.4
    53 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 06, 1953
    74 years ago
  • Operation Pacific

    Operation Pacific

    Played SP Commander

    Average Rating
    6.0
    53 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 27, 1951
    76 years ago
  • Sleep, My Love

    Sleep, My Love

    Played Lieutenant Mitchell

    Average Rating
    6.3
    52 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 18, 1948
    79 years ago
  • A Stolen Life

    A Stolen Life

    Played Investigator (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.3
    52 votes
    Release Date
    May 01, 1946
    81 years ago
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    Hold Back the Dawn

    Played Immigration Guard (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.7
    48 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 26, 1941
    85 years ago
  • Carrie

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    Played Mike - Bartender (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.4
    44 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 17, 1952
    74 years ago
  • North West Mounted Police

    North West Mounted Police

    Played Mountie

    Average Rating
    6.4
    41 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 22, 1940
    86 years ago
  • O. Henry's Full House

    O. Henry's Full House

    Played Cop (segment "The Cop and the Anthem") (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.7
    39 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 07, 1952
    74 years ago
  • Angel on My Shoulder

    Angel on My Shoulder

    Played Dan Bellamy

    Average Rating
    6.4
    39 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 20, 1946
    80 years ago
  • Shockproof

    Shockproof

    Played Policeman in Park (Uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.4
    39 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 25, 1949
    78 years ago
  • Broadway Melody of 1940

    Broadway Melody of 1940

    Played Clancy (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.7
    38 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 09, 1940
    87 years ago
  • Brother Orchid

    Brother Orchid

    Played Parking Attendant at Fat Dutchy's (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.4
    36 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 07, 1940
    87 years ago
  • Thank Your Lucky Stars

    Thank Your Lucky Stars

    Played Policeman (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.0
    36 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 25, 1943
    83 years ago
  • Christmas Holiday

    Christmas Holiday

    Played Policeman

    Average Rating
    6.4
    34 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 31, 1944
    82 years ago
  • One Touch of Venus

    One Touch of Venus

    Played Kerrigan

    Average Rating
    6.5
    34 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 01, 1948
    78 years ago
  • Ziegfeld Girl

    Ziegfeld Girl

    Played Buck (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.4
    34 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 25, 1941
    86 years ago
  • Sailor Beware

    Sailor Beware

    Played Petty Officer (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.2
    31 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 08, 1952
    75 years ago
  • Desert Fury

    Desert Fury

    Played Pat Johnson

    Average Rating
    6.0
    30 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 15, 1947
    79 years ago
  • Murder, He Says

    Murder, He Says

    Played Police Officer (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.6
    30 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 23, 1945
    81 years ago
  • The Velvet Touch

    The Velvet Touch

    Played Sgt. Oliphant

    Average Rating
    6.2
    30 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 13, 1948
    78 years ago
  • Alexander's Ragtime Band

    Alexander's Ragtime Band

    Played Army Captain (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.7
    29 votes
    Release Date
    May 24, 1938
    89 years ago
  • Johnny Angel

    Johnny Angel

    Played Flavin, Mate of the Quincy (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.9
    29 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 25, 1945
    81 years ago
  • Trouble Along the Way

    Trouble Along the Way

    Played Coach Buck Holman

    Average Rating
    5.9
    27 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 04, 1953
    74 years ago
  • Million Dollar Mermaid

    Million Dollar Mermaid

    Played Conductor

    Average Rating
    6.4
    26 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 04, 1952
    74 years ago
  • Hollywood Canteen

    Hollywood Canteen

    Played Marine Sergeant (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    7.3
    26 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 15, 1944
    82 years ago
  • The Fighting 69th

    The Fighting 69th

    Played Supply Sergeant (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.5
    25 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 27, 1940
    87 years ago
  • Ride 'Em Cowboy

    Ride 'Em Cowboy

    Played Railroad Detective #2 (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.9
    25 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 17, 1941
    85 years ago
  • Mr. Wong in Chinatown

    Mr. Wong in Chinatown

    Played Police Sgt. Jerry

    Average Rating
    5.3
    24 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 01, 1939
    87 years ago
  • Uncertain Glory

    Uncertain Glory

    Played Captain of Mobile Guard

    Average Rating
    6.8
    24 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 07, 1944
    83 years ago
  • Knute Rockne All American

    Knute Rockne All American

    Played Army Assistant Coach (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.1
    24 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 05, 1940
    86 years ago
  • Charlie Chan at the Race Track

    Charlie Chan at the Race Track

    Played Detective

    Average Rating
    7.1
    23 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 07, 1936
    90 years ago
  • So Proudly We Hail

    So Proudly We Hail

    Played Captain O'Brien (Uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.5
    23 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 09, 1943
    83 years ago
  • Dishonored Lady

    Dishonored Lady

    Played Police Sergeant Patella

    Average Rating
    5.7
    23 votes
    Release Date
    May 16, 1947
    80 years ago
  • The Naked Street

    The Naked Street

    Played Attorney Michael X. Flanders

    Average Rating
    6.1
    22 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 01, 1955
    71 years ago
  • Pot o' Gold

    Pot o' Gold

    Played Sheriff Bud Connolly (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.5
    22 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 03, 1941
    86 years ago
  • The Noose Hangs High

    The Noose Hangs High

    Played Traffic Cop (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.8
    22 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 05, 1948
    79 years ago
  • Pot o' Gold

    Pot o' Gold

    Played Sheriff Bud Connolly

    Average Rating
    5.5
    22 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 03, 1941
    86 years ago
  • Mannequin

    Mannequin

    Played Burly Man (Uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.9
    21 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 21, 1938
    89 years ago
  • Nora Prentiss

    Nora Prentiss

    Played District Attorney

    Average Rating
    6.1
    21 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 22, 1947
    80 years ago
  • Nobody Lives Forever

    Nobody Lives Forever

    Played Shake Thomas

    Average Rating
    6.2
    21 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 01, 1946
    80 years ago
  • Texas

    Texas

    Played Abilene Fight Announcer

    Average Rating
    6.5
    21 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 09, 1941
    85 years ago
  • When the Daltons Rode

    When the Daltons Rode

    Played Annabella's Brother

    Average Rating
    6.0
    20 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 23, 1940
    86 years ago
  • Destination Murder

    Destination Murder

    Played Police Lt. Brewster

    Average Rating
    5.1
    19 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 09, 1950
    76 years ago
  • Johnny Apollo

    Johnny Apollo

    Played Prison Guard In Library (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.8
    19 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 19, 1940
    87 years ago
  • Kid Glove Killer

    Kid Glove Killer

    Played Keenan - Detective Grilling Eddie (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.2
    19 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 17, 1942
    85 years ago
  • The Shanghai Cobra

    The Shanghai Cobra

    Played H.R. Jarvis

    Average Rating
    5.8
    18 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 29, 1945
    81 years ago
  • Never Say Goodbye

    Never Say Goodbye

    Played Timmy

    Average Rating
    6.5
    18 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 10, 1956
    71 years ago
  • Good Times

    Good Times

    Played Lieutenant

    Average Rating
    5.1
    18 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 11, 1967
    59 years ago
  • Baby Take a Bow

    Baby Take a Bow

    Played Flannigan

    Average Rating
    5.6
    18 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 30, 1934
    93 years ago
  • Mission to Moscow

    Mission to Moscow

    Played American Senator (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.3
    18 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 29, 1943
    84 years ago
  • Too Hot to Handle

    Too Hot to Handle

    Played Young Reporter (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.8
    18 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 16, 1938
    88 years ago
  • It All Came True

    It All Came True

    Played Roaring 90's Club Doorman (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.8
    16 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 06, 1940
    87 years ago
  • Manpower

    Manpower

    Played Orderly About to Give Bath (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.7
    15 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 09, 1941
    85 years ago
  • Fingers at the Window

    Fingers at the Window

    Played Police Lieutenant Schaeffer

    Average Rating
    5.5
    15 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 22, 1942
    85 years ago
  • Belle Starr

    Belle Starr

    Played Sergeant

    Average Rating
    5.6
    15 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 12, 1941
    85 years ago
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