Australians in Hollywood : Biographical Notes

Errol Flynn
Errol Flynn (1909-1959) was working as a commercial ship's captain when Charles Chauvel plucked him from obscurity to play Fletcher Christian in In the Wake of the Bounty (1933). The rangy Tasmanian won instant acclaim among legions of lady fans, if not among connoisseurs of fine acting. Soon thereafter Flynn emigrated to London , where he refined his acting skills with a number of touring theatre companies. Relocating to Hollywood , he made an almost immediate splash as the swashbuckling Captain Blood (1935). A prolific swordsman both on screen and off – his romantic track record gave rise to the popular expression “in like Flynn” – he appeared in some of the biggest action and adventure movies of his day, including The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936), The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), and Dive Bomber (1941). In 1942 Flynn was acquitted of rape charges, but publicity surrounding the trial served to tarnish his reputation. His later years were marred by hard drinking and waning box office popularity. The self-portrait at left is said to have been Flynn's favourite photograph of himself; unseen during his lifetime, it surfaced when a French newspaper published it in an obituary.

Back