Cast & creator
James Flavin
Best known for Climax!, The Rifleman, Matinee Theater
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.
Also known as: James William Flavin Jr., James Flaven, Jim Flavin
279
film credits
53
television credits
332
1932–2005 · acting roles
6.5
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (332)
Showing 332 of 332 credits
Climax!
Hogan
1954
The Rifleman
1958
Matinee Theater
1955
Four Star Playhouse
Mr. Swanson
1952
Dr. Kildare
John Dolan
1961
The Twilight Zone
1962 Policeman
1959The Twilight Zone
Truck Driver
1959
I Love Lucy
Immigration Officer
1951
The Lucy Show
Sergeant Wilcox
1962
Burke's Law
Officer Danny Robin
1963
The Addams Family
Lt. Poston
1964
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Joe Felix
1955Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Tony - The Doorman
1955Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Dan
1955
Surfside 6
1960
The Brady Bunch
1969
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
Sam Cooper
1957
The Millionaire
Dan Mulcahy
1955State Trooper
Police Capt. Daniel Box
1956
Mister Ed
1961
December Bride
1954
Mr. Novak
Fire Chief Hawkins
1963
Navy Log
Col. Flynn
1955
The Abbott and Costello Show
Joe Kelly
1952
Public Defender
1954
City Detective
1953Lux Video Theatre
Steve
1950Lux Video Theatre
Heineman
1950Lux Video Theatre
Detective
1950
It Takes a Thief
Gen. Levin
1968
Cavalcade of America
1952
Sam Benedict
1962
The New Breed
Moose
1961
Alcoa Theatre
Gavin Marshall
1957
Racket Squad
1951
Pete and Gladys
1960
Cain's Hundred
Arnie Kellwin
1961
The Roaring 20's
Robert Howard
1960
Dangerous Assignment
1952
Letter to Loretta
MacNamara
1953Letter to Loretta
Deputy Mason
1953Letter to Loretta
Sgt. Danny Doofle
1953
Coronado 9
1960
Man with a Camera
1958
King Kong
Mate Briggs
1933
Johnny Midnight
1960
The Pruitts of Southampton
1966
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Patrolman (uncredited)
1963
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Captain Kimble
1951Hallmark Hall of Fame
General Charles Lee
1951
The Grapes of Wrath
Guard (uncredited)
1940
The Living Christ
Longinus
1951
General Electric Theater
1953General Electric Theater
Callahan
1953
Saboteur
Motorcycle Cop (voice) (uncredited)
1942
Death Valley Days
Perry
1952
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951
Nightmare Alley
Hoatley / First Carnival Owner (uncredited)
1947
Mildred Pierce
Detective (uncredited)
1945
Mighty Joe Young
Schultz
1949
You Can't Take It with You
Jailer (uncredited)
1938
Unconquered
Villager (uncredited)
1947
In Cold Blood
Clarence Duntz
1967
Operation Pacific
SP Commander
1951
Laura
Det. McEveety (uncredited)
1944
Belle Starr
Sergeant
1941
Cheyenne Autumn
Ft. Robinson Sergeant of the Guard (uncredited)
1964
Reap the Wild Wind
Girl's Father (uncredited)
1942
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers
Police Detective #1
1946
The Most Dangerous Game
First Mate on Yacht (uncredited)
1932
Union Pacific
Paddy (uncredited)
1939
O. Henry's Full House
Cop (segment "The Cop and the Anthem") (uncredited)
1952
Ziegfeld Girl
Buck (uncredited)
1941
Jesse James
Cavalry Captain (uncredited)
1939
The Roaring Twenties
Policeman (uncredited)
1939
So Proudly We Hail
Captain O'Brien (Uncredited)
1943
You Only Live Once
State Trooper (uncredited)
1937
Action in the North Atlantic
Merchant Marine School Lieutenant-Commander (uncredited)
1943
The Wings of Eagles
MP at Garden Party (uncredited)
1957
Buck Privates
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
1941
Heaven Can Wait
Policeman (uncredited)
1943
It Ain't Hay
Cop (uncredited)
1943
Sailor Beware
Petty Officer (uncredited)
1952
'G' Men
Agent with Jean (uncredited)
1935
Mister Roberts
Military Policeman
1955
Song of the Thin Man
Policeman Reardon (uncredited)
1947
My Man Godfrey
Detective (uncredited)
1936
Anchors Aweigh
Radio Cop
1945
North West Mounted Police
Mountie
1940
Never Say Goodbye
Timmy
1956
Broadway Melody of 1940
Clancy (uncredited)
1940
Too Hot to Handle
Young Reporter (uncredited)
1938
The Long Voyage Home
Dock Policeman
1940
Western Union
Deputy Sheriff
1941
Trouble Along the Way
Coach Buck Holman
1953
Angel on My Shoulder
Dan Bellamy
1946
The Naked Street
Attorney Michael X. Flanders
1955
Night Passage
Tim Riley
1957
Air Force
Maj. A.M. Bagley
1943
Start Cheering
Gas Station Attendant
1938
Each Dawn I Die
Policeman (uncredited)
1939
Remember the Night
Court Attendant (uncredited)
1940
Boys' Ranch
Policeman (uncredited)
1946
Knute Rockne All American
Army Assistant Coach (uncredited)
1940
Charlie Chan at the Race Track
Detective
1936
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars
First Policeman in Bank
1953
Desert Fury
Pat Johnson
1947
Captain Hurricane
Freighter Officer
1935
The Noose Hangs High
Traffic Cop (uncredited)
1948
Armored Car Robbery
Lt. Phillips
1950
Hold Back the Dawn
Immigration Guard (uncredited)
1941
Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
1976
One Touch of Venus
Kerrigan
1948
Carrie
Mike - Bartender (uncredited)
1952
God Is My Co-Pilot
Major at Kweilin Airbase (uncredited)
1945
Blondie
Policeman in Accident Car (uncredited)
1938
Prison Warden
Guard Capt. Peter Butler
1949
Gentleman Jim
George Corbett (uncredited)
1942
The Ghost Breakers
Hotel Porter (uncredited)
1940
Sleep, My Love
Lieutenant Mitchell
1948
It Happened on Fifth Avenue
First Policeman (uncredited)
1947
Flamingo Road
1949
The Last Hurrah
Police Capt. Michael J. Shanahan (uncredited)
1958
Francis in the Haunted House
Police Chief Martin
1956
Baby Take a Bow
Flannigan
1934
The Wild Man of Borneo
Policeman (uncredited)
1941
Thank Your Lucky Stars
Policeman (uncredited)
1943
Affectionately Yours
Tomassetti
1941
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Army Captain (uncredited)
1938
The Devil's Henchmen
Police Sergeant Briggs
1949
Hollywood Canteen
Marine Sergeant (uncredited)
1944
Mission to Moscow
American Senator (uncredited)
1943
Mr. Winkle Goes to War
1944
Wild Is the Wind
Wool Buyer
1957
Confidentially Connie
Harry (uncredited)
1953
Million Dollar Mermaid
Conductor
1952
Hello, Sister!
Fireman
1933
Once Upon a Time
Man in Subway (uncredited)
1944
A Stolen Life
Investigator (uncredited)
1946
When the Daltons Rode
Annabella's Brother
1940
Cloak and Dagger
Col. Walsh
1946
I Wake Up Screaming
Detective (uncredited)
1941
Texas
Abilene Fight Announcer
1941
When Tomorrow Comes
Coard Guard Man on Road (uncredited)
1939
When Willie Comes Marching Home
Gen. Brevort (uncredited)
1950
Fingers at the Window
Police Lieutenant Schaeffer
1942
Come Fill the Cup
Russ - Homicide Captain (uncredited)
1951
The Velvet Touch
Sgt. Oliphant
1948
Tough as They Come
Process Server
1942
Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President
Policeman
1939
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff
Insp. Wellman
1949
Corvette K-225
1st Lt. Bill Gardner
1943
Massacre Canyon
Col. Tarant
1954
There's Something About a Soldier
1943
Ride 'Em Cowboy
Railroad Detective #2 (uncredited)
1941
They All Come Out
Officer (uncredited)
1939
Johnny Apollo
Prison Guard In Library (uncredited)
1940
Step by Step
Woods
1946
The Daring Young Man
Informant on Telephone
1935
Born to Be Wild
Striker (uncredited)
1938
Castle on the Hudson
Death Row Guard (uncredited)
1940
Test Pilot
Pilot (uncredited)
1938
Back Street
Reporter (uncredited)
1932
Good Times
Lieutenant
1967
Christmas Holiday
Policeman (uncredited)
1944
They Met in a Taxi
Policeman
1936
The Lost Spider Pit Sequence
Second Mate Briggs (archive footage)
2005
Rendezvous
2st Military Policeman (uncredited)
1935
Live, Love and Learn
Marine Who Likes Painting (uncredited)
1937
My Favorite Brunette
Det. Lt. 'Mac' Hennessey (uncredited)
1947
According to Mrs. Hoyle
Prosecuting Attorney
1951
They Shall Have Music
Police Sergeant (uncredited)
1939
Queen of the Mob
Third FBI Director
1940
Easy to Wed
Joe
1946
Mr. Wong in Chinatown
Police Sgt. Jerry
1939
Public Hero Number 1
Flavin - Federal Agent (uncredited)
1935
Blondie Hits the Jackpot
Brophy
1949
I Am the Law
George - Witness (uncredited)
1938
Straight from the Heart
Policeman
1935
Rose of Washington Square
Guard (uncredited)
1939
The Gracie Allen Murder Case
Turnkey
1939
Man on the Flying Trapeze
Chauffeur (uncredited)
1935
Three Loves Has Nancy
Jack's Friend (uncredited)
1938
Nora Prentiss
District Attorney
1947
And One Was Beautiful
McRafferty
1940
It All Came True
Roaring 90's Club Doorman (uncredited)
1940
Dishonored Lady
Police Sergeant Patella
1947
Fast and Furious
Policeman Guarding Entrance (uncredited)
1939
I Beheld His Glory
Longinus
1953
The Strawberry Blonde
Ticket Inspector on Boat (uncredited)
1941
Apache Ambush
Col. Marshall
1955
The Fighting 69th
Supply Sergeant (uncredited)
1940
Rhythm on the River
Detective
1940
The Eddie Cantor Story
Kelly
1953
The Ice Follies of 1939
Doorman (uncredited)
1939
Special Agent
Agent Arresting Julie (uncredited)
1935
Broadway
Doorman (uncredited)
1942
Lightning Carson Rides Again
Justice Department Agent
1938
Nobody Lives Forever
Shake Thomas
1946
Johnny Angel
Flavin, Mate of the Quincy (uncredited)
1945
While New York Sleeps
2nd Cop
1938
The Further Adventures of Gallegher
Lt. Flynn
1965
The Restless Breed
Secret Service Chief
1957
Ten Gentlemen from West Point
Capt. Luddy
1942
Rock Island Trail
Railroad Workman
1950
Night Spot
Kidnapper
1938
The Duke of West Point
Plebe Hockey Coach
1938
Critic's Choice
Security Guard (uncredited)
1963
Abroad with Two Yanks
Sgt. Wiggins
1944
Kid Glove Killer
Keenan - Detective Grilling Eddie (uncredited)
1942
Robin Hood Of Texas
Captain Danforth
1947
Everybody's Doing It
Detective Hayes
1938
Hold That Blonde!
Laundry Truck Driver (uncredited)
1945
New York Town
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
1941
The Way of All Flesh
Policeman
1940
Something to Shout About
Policeman
1943
The Cisco Kid and the Lady
Sergeant
1939
The Night of January 16th
Policeman Kelly
1941
The Affairs of Cellini
Palace Guard (uncredited)
1934
The Luckiest Girl in the World
Policeman
1936
Shockproof
Policeman in Park (Uncredited)
1949
Code of the Streets
Doorman
1939
Oh! Susanna
Capt. Worth
1951
I Dood It
Federal Agent (uncredited)
1943
Dangerously Yours
Driver
1937
My Dear Miss Aldrich
Dr. Spitzy Calahan (uncredited)
1937
Follow the Sun
Henry Gibbs
1951
Gateway
Guard
1938
A Yank on the Burma Road
Police Dispatcher
1942
The Murder Man
Policeman at Merry-Go-Round (uncredited)
1935
The Great Profile
Detective
1940
Fighting Coast Guard
Commander Rogers
1951
Here Come the Marines
Lieutenant-Colonel at End
1952
Youth Will Be Served
Buck Miller
1940
Florian
Policeman
1940
Law and Order
Capt. Toomey
1976
Four Mothers
Demolition Man (uncredited)
1941
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty
Policeman
1942
Murder on the Waterfront
Cmdr. Kalin
1943
Footsteps in the Night
Mr. Bradbury
1957
Only Yesterday
Billy (Uncredited)
1933
Return of the Dead
Judd Harrison
1954
The All-American
Don Lindsay
1932
Young Widow
Subway Conductor (Uncredited)
1946
The Shanghai Cobra
H.R. Jarvis
1945
South of Pago Pago
Cafe Customer
1940
South Sea Sinner
Andrews
1950
Hot Steel
Storm Swenson
1940
Over 21
Captain (uncredited)
1945
Big Town Girl
State Trooper
1937
Circumstantial Evidence
Guard
1945
Dragonfly Squadron
Doctor
1954
The Golden Fleecing
Cop (uncredited)
1940
Brother Orchid
Parking Attendant at Fat Dutchy's (uncredited)
1940
Dangerous Number
Cab Driver
1937
Woman Wanted
Mac - Policeman (uncredited)
1935
Strange Affair
Bank Security Guard (uncredited)
1944
Sergeant Madden
Police Interrogator
1939
Ship of Wanted Men
Frank Busch
1933
Manpower
Orderly About to Give Bath (uncredited)
1941
Kathleen
Moving Man
1941
Uncertain Glory
Captain of Mobile Guard
1944
Destination Murder
Police Lt. Brewster
1950
Pot o' Gold
Sheriff Bud Connolly (uncredited)
1941Pot o' Gold
Sheriff Bud Connolly
1941
McKenna of the Mounted
Corporal Randall McKenna
1932
Tell No Tales
Officer Simmons (uncredited)
1939
The Savage Horde
Guard
1950
The Devil's Pipeline
Dowling
1940
La Conga Nights
Grogin
1940
My Girl Tisa
Guard (uncredited)
1948
I Promise to Pay
Bill Seaver
1937
We Go Fast
Police Lt. Bardette
1941
Night in New Orleans
Egan (uncredited)
1942
Girl in 313
Det. Carvin
1940
Air Mail
Man with Radio Report (uncredited)
1932
Rhubarb
O'Leary, Manhattan Police Chief (uncredited)
1951
Ride on Vaquero
Officer Johnson
1941
Mannequin
Burly Man (Uncredited)
1938
The Brand of Hate
Holt Larkins
1934
The Plunderers
Sergeant Major
1948
Murder, He Says
Police Officer (uncredited)
1945
Thru Different Eyes
Thomas
1942
Homicide
Det. Lt. Boylan
1949
Hot Water
Policeman (uncredited)
1937
Everybody's Baby
Police Announcer (uncredited)
1939
Riding High
Train Conductor
1943
Hot News
Al Bragg
1953
Double Alibi
Patrolman Johnson
1940
Fighter Attack
Col. Allison
1953
Secrets of Chinatown
Brandhma
1935
Midnight Taxi
Detective McCormick
1937
Rendezvous with Annie
Turnkey (uncredited)
1946
Wild Gold
Detective (uncredited)
1934
Star of Texas
Texas Rangers Capt. Sturdivant
1953
Shipmates Forever
Lieutenant (uncredited)
1935
Lucky Cisco Kid
Ranch Foreman
1940
Wives Under Suspicion
Jenks (uncredited)
1938
Joe Palooka in the Knockout
Policeman
1947
Tin Pan Alley
Army Sergeant (uncredited)
1940
Women Without Names
Guard
1940
The Missing Lady
Police Insp. Cardona
1946
Private Affairs
Doorman (uncredited)
1940
Okay, America!
Undetermined Role (uncredited)
1932
Dakota Lil
Secret Service Chief
1950
Girls Can Play
Det. Bill O'Malley
1937
Secret Service Investigator
Police Inspector Thorndyke
1948
Sentimental Journey
Detective Sgt. McFarland (uncredited)
1946
Chinatown Squad
Detective
1935
Angel's Holiday
Detective
1937
Manhattan Heartbeat
Truck Driver
1940
Irish Luck
Fluger
1939
Swing Shift Maisie
Radio Policeman (Uncredited)
1943
Hold That Hypnotist
Jake Morgan
1957
Johnny Rocco
Mooney
1958
Big Town Czar
George Mitchell
1939
One Way Ticket
Ed
1935
Bedtime Story
Hotel Guest in Room 625 (uncredited)
1941
Tars and Spars
Chief Bosun Mate Gurney
1946
Beloved
Wilcox
1934
The Big Race
Bill Figg
1934
Bungalow 13
Lt. Sam Wilson
1948
Mickey the Kid
Sanders
1939Treat 'Em Rough
Joe Trosper
1942
The Spider
Officer Johnny Tracy
1945
The Airmail Mystery
Bob Lee
1932As We Forgive
1952
Miracle Money
Cop (uncredited)
1938
Riot Squad
Det. Mack McCue
1933
Mississippi Rhythm
Stan Caldwell
1949
Convicts at Large
Detective Sgt. Berkovich
1938
How to Behave
Man in Manhole (uncredited)
1936