Errol Flynn
Biography
Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn was an Australian-American actor and writer born on June 20, 1909, in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, and died on October 14, 1959. Known for his work in acting with 105 known credits, he signed with Warner Bros. Pictures in January 1935. Flynn achieved swift stardom after the studio cast him as the lead in Captain Blood in 1935, establishing him as a major Hollywood star and a successor to Douglas Fairbanks. He is popularly remembered as a charismatic romantic hero, most notably in eight films starring alongside Olivia de Havilland, and for his iconic role as Robin Hood in The Adventures of Robin Hood in 1938. His filmography also includes The Charge of the Light Brigade.
Career overview
Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn was born on June 20, 1909, in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, and died on October 14, 1959. He worked as an actor and writer, achieving 105 known acting credits. In the United States, he established himself as a major Hollywood star and a charismatic romantic hero, often noted as a natural successor and the new Fairbanks, particularly through his work in action films alongside Olivia de Havilland.
Flynn rose to swift stardom after signing with Warner Bros. Pictures in January 1935. The studio took a risk by casting the unknown 26-year-old as the lead in Captain Blood in 1935, which became a smash hit and established him as a leading figure in cinema. His career included starring roles in eight films with Olivia de Havilland. Among his most iconic work was playing Robin Hood in the 1938 film The Adventures of Robin Hood.
His extensive filmography featured numerous notable motion pictures. Following his breakout success, he appeared in features such as The Charge of the Light Brigade in 1936, Dodge City, The Sea Hawk, and The Seventh Cavalry. In addition to his film work, his career extended to television and anthology appearances, including credits in Playhouse 90 and The Red Skelton Show. Throughout his career, he remained widely recognized for his contributions to classic adventure cinema.
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Career timeline
Full filmography
- Gene Kelly - An American in Hollywood (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- In Like Flynn (2018) Book
- Classic Movie Bloopers: Uncensored (2013) as Self (archive footage)
- Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff (2010) as Self (archive footage)
- 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year (2009) as Self (archive footage)
- Warner at War (2008) as (archive footage)
- Tasmanian Devil: The Fast and Furious Life of Errol Flynn (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- The Adventures of Errol Flynn (2005) as Self / Various Roles (archive footage) (archive sound)
- The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender (1997) as Self (archive footage)
- The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies (1995) as Self (archive footage)
- Legends in Light: The Photography of George Hurrell (1995) as Self (archive footage)
- Touring Australia (1993) as Self (archive footage)
- Hollywood Heaven: Tragic Lives, Tragic Deaths (1990) as (archive footage)
- Hollywood Scandals and Tragedies (1988) as (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers (1985) as Self (archive footage)
- My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn (1985) Book
- Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage (1983) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Oops, Those Hollywood Bloopers! (1982) as Self (archive footage)
- Showbiz Ballyhoo (1982) as Self (archive footage)
- Hooray for Hollywood (1976) as Self (archive footage)
- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975) as Self (archive footage)
- That's Entertainment! (1974) as (archive footage) (uncredited)
- The Extraordinary Seaman (1969) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Cuban Rebel Girls (1959) as The American Correspondent
- Cuban Rebel Girls (1959) Screenplay
- The Truth About Fidel Castro Revolution (1959) as Himself - Reporter
- The Roots of Heaven (1958) as Forsythe
- Too Much, Too Soon (1958) as John Barrymore
- Istanbul (1957) as James Brennan
- The Sun Also Rises (1957) as Mike Campbell
- The Big Boodle (1957) as Ned Sherwood
- Without Incident (1957) as Capt. Russell Bidlack
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self - Guest
- The Errol Flynn Theatre (1956) as Self - Host
- The Sword of Villon (1956) as Francois Villon
- Screen Director's Playhouse (1955) as Francois Villon
- The Dark Avenger (1955) as Prince Edward
- King's Rhapsody (1955) as Richard, King of Laurentia
- Lilacs in the Spring (1954) as John 'Beau' Beaumont
- Crossed Swords (1954) as Renzo
- Crossed Swords (1954) Producer
- The Master of Ballantrae (1953) as Jamie Durie
- The Story of William Tell (1953) as William Tell
- The Story of William Tell (1953) Producer
- Against All Flags (1952) as Brian Hawke
- Mara Maru (1952) as Gregory Mason
- Cruise of the Zaca (1952) as Himself / Narrator
- Cruise of the Zaca (1952) Director
- Deep Sea Fishing (1952) as Self
- Deep Sea Fishing (1952) Director
- Adventures of Captain Fabian (1951) as Capt. Michael Fabian
- Adventures of Captain Fabian (1951) Screenplay
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self
- Montana (1950) as Morgan Lane
- Kim (1950) as Mahbub Ali, the Red Beard
- Rocky Mountain (1950) as Capt. Lafe Barstow
- That Forsyte Woman (1949) as Soames Forsyte
- It's a Great Feeling (1949) as Jeffrey Bushdinkle, the Groom (uncredited)
- Rabbit Hood (1949) as Robin Hood (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Bambi (1948) as Self (archive footage)
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- Adventures of Don Juan (1948) as Don Juan de Maraña
- Silver River (1948) as 'Mike' McComb
- Escape Me Never (1947) as Sebastian Dubrok
- Cry Wolf (1947) as Mark Caldwell
- Cry Wolf (1947) Associate Producer
- Blow-Ups of 1947 (1947) as Self
- Never Say Goodbye (1946) as Phil Gayley
- Blow-Ups of 1946 (1946) as Self
- Peeks at Hollywood (1946)
- Objective, Burma! (1945) as Capt. Nelson
- San Antonio (1945) as Clay Hardin
- Breakdowns of 1944 (1944) as Self
- Uncertain Glory (1944) as Jean Picard
- Uncertain Glory (1944) Associate Producer
- Edge of Darkness (1943) as Gunnar Brogge
- Northern Pursuit (1943) as Corporal Steve Wagner
- Show-Business at War (1943) as Self
- Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943) as Self
- Breakdowns of 1942 (1942) as Self
- Gentleman Jim (1942) as James J. Corbett
- Desperate Journey (1942) as Flight Lt. Terry Forbes
- They Died with Their Boots On (1941) as George Armstrong Custer
- Dive Bomber (1941) as Douglas S. Lee
- Footsteps in the Dark (1941) as Francis Monroe Warren II, alias F.X. Pettijohn
- Screen Snapshots Series 21 No. 1 (1941) as Self
- The Sea Hawk (1940) as Captain Geoffrey Thorpe
- Santa Fe Trail (1940) as Jeb Stuart
- Virginia City (1940) as Kerry Bradford
- Dodge City (1939) as Wade Hatton
- The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) as The Earl of Essex
- The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) as Robin Hood
- Breakdowns of 1938 (1938) as Robin Hood (archive footage) (uncredited)
- The Dawn Patrol (1938) as Capt. Courtney
- Four's a Crowd (1938) as Robert Kensington 'Bob' Lansford
- Out Where the Stars Begin (1938) as Robin Hood (archive footage)
- The Sisters (1938) as Frank Medlin
- Another Dawn (1937) as Captain Denny Roark
- The Prince and the Pauper (1937) as Miles Hendon
- Green Light (1937) as Dr. Newell Paige
- Breakdowns of 1937 (1937) as Self
- The Perfect Specimen (1937) as Gerald Beresford Wicks
- The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936) as Major Geoffrey Vickers
- Captain Blood (1935) as Dr. Peter Blood
- The Case of the Curious Bride (1935) as Gregory Moxley
- A Dream Comes True (1935) as Himself (uncredited)
- Don't Bet on Blondes (1935) as David Van Dusen
- Pirate Party on Catalina Isle (1935) as Errol Flynn
- Murder at Monte Carlo (1935) as Dyter
- In the Wake of the Bounty (1933) as Fletcher Christian
- I Adore You (1933) as Extra (uncredited)
- Hello God as US Soldier on Anzio Beach
- Hello God Producer