James Flavin (May 14, 1906 – April 23, 1976) was the quintessential Irish cop of Hollywood’s Golden Age, a remarkably prolific American character actor who appeared in nearly 400 films and was one of the most recognizable faces in the business.
Though he began his career with a rare leading role in the 1932 serial The Airmail Mystery, Flavin quickly settled into his niche as a supporting player. With his stocky build and authoritative presence, he was overwhelmingly cast as hard-bitten police detectives, beat cops, and guards, becoming the go-to actor for any director needing a believable lawman.
His incredible filmography includes roles in some of the greatest films ever made. James Flavin played the second mate Briggs in the original King Kong (1933) and was a staple in the films of John Ford, appearing in classics like The Grapes of Wrath (1940). He worked until the very end of his life, with his final role portraying President Dwight D. Eisenhower in a 1976 television movie.
