Who was Errol Flynn? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Australian Celebrities Born In June

Also Known As: Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn

Died At Age: 50

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Lili Damita, Nora Eddington, Patrice Wymore

father: Theodore Thomson Flynn

mother: Lily Mary Young Flynn

children: Arnella Roma Flynn, Deirdre Flynn, Rory Flynn, Sean Flynn

Born Country: Australia

Actors Australian Men

Height: 6'2" (188 cm), 6'2" Males

Died on: October 14, 1959

place of death: Vancouver, Canada

Cause of Death: Myocardial Infarction

Diseases & Disabilities: Liver Cirrhosis

Ancestry: Australian American, Irish American, British American, English Australian

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1

What movies was Errol Flynn known for?

Errol Flynn was known for his roles in classic films such as "The Adventures of Robin Hood," "Captain Blood," "The Sea Hawk," "Dodge City," and "The Charge of the Light Brigade."
2

Did Errol Flynn do his own stunts in movies?

Yes, Errol Flynn was known for performing many of his own stunts in his films, showcasing his athleticism and daring nature on screen.
3

Was Errol Flynn considered a heartthrob in his time?

Yes, Errol Flynn was considered a heartthrob during the Golden Age of Hollywood, admired for his dashing good looks and charismatic on-screen presence.
4

What was Errol Flynn's reputation off-screen?

Errol Flynn had a reputation for his adventurous and rebellious lifestyle off-screen, often getting involved in scandals and legal troubles, which sometimes overshadowed his acting career.
5

How did Errol Flynn's portrayal of swashbuckling characters influence Hollywood?

Errol Flynn's iconic portrayals of swashbuckling characters played a significant role in shaping the Hollywood adventure genre, influencing future actors and filmmakers in their approach to action and adventure storytelling.

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Childhood & Early Life

Errol Flynn was born on June 20, 1909, in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, to Theodore Thomson Flynn and Marrelle Young. His father was a respected marine biologist.

He received his early education in Hobart and later on went to a private boarding school in Barnes, London. He was always a trouble-maker and a mischievous child and as a result he was expelled from a number of exclusive Australian and British Schools.

He got his first job as a junior clerk in a Sydney shipping company when he was 15. But he was ousted on the account of stealing cash.

At the age of 18, he went to Papua New Guinea and worked as a police constable, sanitation engineer, treasure hunter, sheep castrator, shipmaster for hire, fisherman, tobacco plantation worker and metal miner.

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Career

In 1933, Errol Flynn got his first film when an Australian film producer saw his portfolio and cast him in the lead role of Fletcher Christian in 'In The Wake of the Bounty', a low-budget documentary.

In 1934, he honed his acting skills by working at the Northampton Repertory Company and Warner Brother's Teddington Studio. Warner Bros then signed him and he went to America as a contract actor.

Flynn became an overnight sensation after his first film 'Captain Blood' in 1935. Immediately typecast as a swashbuckler, he gave a string of hits in the next six years. His hit movies during this era included: 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' (1936), 'The Prince and the Pauper' (1937), 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' (1938), 'The Dawn Patrol' (1938), 'Dodge City' (1939), 'The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex' (1939) and 'The Sea Hawk' (1940).

His on-screen romantic pairing with Olivia de Havilland became a huge hit and the two co-starred in eight films together during the 1930s and 1940s. These films were: 'Captain Blood' (1935), 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' (1936), 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' (1938), 'Four's a Crowd' (1938), 'Dodge City' (1939), 'The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex' (1939), 'Santa Fe Trail' (1940), and 'They Died with Their Boots On' (1941)

He became an American citizen on August 15, 1942 and was eligible for the military draft as the country was heading towards World War II. He attempted to join the force, but owing to his many health problems he was declared unfit.

After the World War II, the American audience found themselves attracted to films based on urban realism and film noir reflecting their modern lifestyle and lost interest in the genres of films Flynn excelled at so far.

He tried to evolve with movies like 'Uncertain Glory' (1944), 'Cry Wolf'(1947), 'Silver River'(1948) and 'Montana'(1950), but all proved to be box-office duds.

In 1950, Warner Bros released him from his contract and this marked the end of his Hollywood career.

In the 1950s, after losing his savings, he set out on his yacht, Zaca, sailing aimlessly around the Western Mediterranean. Heavy alcohol usage left him prematurely aged and overweight.

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Throughout the decade he continued working in films, theatre and television to pay his bills but could never get the same success, acclaim and fan-following. His narration in 'Cuban Story: The Truth About Fidel Castro Revolution' (1959) became his last work.

With the help of ghost-writer Earl Conrad, he wrote his final book 'My Wicked, Wicked Ways' in 1958 which was published posthumously. The book majorly focuses on the story of his life other than as a Hollywood actor. Flynn wanted to name the book ‘In Like Me’ but the publisher refused.

Awards & Achievements

In 1940, Variety magazine named him as the fourth most popular star in the US and the seventh most in Britain.

The UK based Empire magazine ranked him No. 70 on 'The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time' list, in 1997, and No. 86 on the '100 Sexiest Stars in Film History'.

Personal Life & Legacy

Errol Flynn married thrice in his life. His first marriage was with actress Lili Damita, in 1935, and it lasted seven years. The couple was blessed with one son.

He married Nora Eddington in 1944 and had two daughters from the marriage. The couple divorced in 1949.

His third marriage was with actress Patrice Wymore, in 1950, and lasted till his death. The marriage produced one daughter.

In 1942, two under-aged girls accused him of statutory rape. The trial took place in 1943 and he was acquitted. Although he came out clear, the incident made a permanent dent on his idealized onscreen romantic-lead image.

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In the late 1950s he met and courted Beverly Aadland at the Hollywood Professional School and cast her in his self-produced film 'Cuban Rebel Girls' (1959). Aadland stated that Errol Flynn wanted to marry her but passed away before this could happen.

His opium addiction and alcoholism wrecked his health. He suffered from many illnesses including myocardial infarction, coronary thrombosis, coronary atherosclerosis, liver degeneration, and liver sclerosis which ultimately led to his premature death at the age of 50 on October 14, 1959.

Facts About Errol Flynn

Errol Flynn was an accomplished writer and penned two books, including an autobiography titled "My Wicked, Wicked Ways."

Flynn was an expert chess player and often engaged in intense matches with fellow Hollywood stars.

Despite his reputation as a swashbuckling ladies' man on screen, Flynn was a devoted father to his four children and took great pride in his role as a parent.

Flynn had a deep love for animals and owned several exotic pets, including a pet lion named Arno who lived with him at his estate.

Flynn was an avid sailor and spent much of his free time exploring the seas on his beloved yacht, the Zaca.

Errol Flynn Biography

You wanted to know

What movies was Errol Flynn known for?

Did Errol Flynn do his own stunts in movies?

Was Errol Flynn considered a heartthrob in his time?

What was Errol Flynn's reputation off-screen?

How did Errol Flynn's portrayal of swashbuckling characters influence Hollywood?