Errol Flynn

**Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn** (20 June 1909 – 14 October 1959) was an Australian actor. He was known for his swashbuckler roles in movies like _Adventures of Don Juan_ and _The Sea Hawk_.

## Early years

Errol Flynn was born in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. His father Theodore Thomson Flynn, was a lecturer (1909) and later professor (1911) of biology at the University of Tasmania. Flynn was born at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Battery Point. His mother was born Lily Mary Young. She dropped the first names Lily Mary shortly after she was married and changed her name to Marelle. Flynn described his mother's family as _"seafaring folk"_. This may account for his lifelong love of the sea and boats.

## First movies

He became a naturalized American citizen in 1942. He is remembered for his successful on-screen partnership with Olivia de Havilland. They appeared together in eight movies: _Captain Blood_ (1935, his first great success), _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). This partnership started rumors of romance. De Havilland denied these rumors. She said her relationship with Flynn was one of friendship only.

## WWII years

Flynn tried to enlist in every branch of the United States Armed Services during WWII. He was classified 4F because of numerous health issues. Hollywood executives kept his health issues a secret to protect his screen image. He never served and was criticized for this. As the years passed, Flynn's manly image diminished. He became an alcoholic, gained weight, and had a seedy appearance. Flynn wrote his autobiography _My Wicked, Wicked Ways_ in 1959. He died of a heart attack at age 50.

## Marriages and children

Flynn was married three times: first to actress Lili Damita from 1935 until 1942 (one son, Sean Flynn, 1941–70?); to Nora Eddington from 1943 until 1949 (two daughters, Deirdre born 1945 and Rory born 1947); and to actress Patrice Wymore from 1950 until his death (one daughter, Arnella Roma, 1953–1998).

## Lifestyle

Flynn had a reputation for womanizing and freewheeling fun. His hedonistic lifestyle caught up with him in 1942 when two under-age girls, Betty Hansen and Peggy Satterlee, accused him of statutory rape. The two girls said that it happened at the Bel-Air home of Flynn's friend Frederick McEvoy. A group was organized to support Flynn. It was called the American Boys' Club for the Defense of Errol Flynn (ABCDEF). Its members included William F. Buckley, Jr. The trial took place in January and February 1943. Flynn was cleared of the charges.

## Other websites

- Errol Flynn at the National Film and Sound Archive
- Map of where Errol died in Vancouver
- Profile for Errol Flynn at Find A Grave
- Errol Flynn on CBC's Front Page Challenge
- Wu Ming's "In Like Flynn" at Chicago Review

## Infobox (person)

- **name**: Errol Flynn
- **image**: Errol Flynn1.jpg
- **caption**: Flynn  1940
- **birth name**: Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn
- **birth place**: Battery Point area of  Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- **death place**: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- **resting place**: Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale), Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California, U.S.
- **years active**: 1932–1959
- **occupation**: Actor
- **father**: Theodore Thomson Flynn
- **children**: 4, including Sean Flynn (photojournalist), Sean Flynn