Trivial Biographies: Errol Flynn

NAME Errol Leslie Flynn

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Errol Flynn was celebrated as the screen's foremost swashbuckler, known for his adventurous roles in films like Captain Blood, The Adventures of Robin Hood, and The Sea Hawk. His off-screen life was also marked by a reputation for hedonism, recklessness, and controversy.

BIRTH Flynn was born on June 20, 1909, at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Battery Point, Tasmania, Australia.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Flynn came from an accomplished academic family. His father, Theodore Thomson Flynn, was a respected biologist who served as a lecturer (1909) and later professor (1911) of marine biology and zoology at the University of Tasmania and later at Queen's University of Belfast. He was Tasmania's first biology professor.

His mother was born Lily Mary Young but changed her first name to Marelle shortly after marrying Theodore at St John's Church of England, Birchgrove, Sydney, on January 23, 1909. Flynn described his mother's family as "seafaring folk," which may explain his lifelong affinity for the sea and boats.

Flynn had a younger sister named Nora Rosemary Flynn (1919-1981). Despite Flynn's claims, evidence suggests he was not descended from any of the Bounty mutineers, though contradictory information exists on this point.

CHILDHOOD Flynn was notoriously rebellious from a young age. Described as a "rambunctious child who was always sure to find trouble," he was known for his pranks and mischief. One such childhood prank involved tying string to pieces of bread, feeding them to geese, and creating "a literal ring of living geese flapping around quite crazily," much to his father's displeasure. (1)

EDUCATION Flynn's formal education was sporadic and troubled. He attended several schools in Hobart, "in none of which he lasted long." His educational journey included:

The Hutchins School in Hobart, where one of his classmates was future World Correspondence Chess Champion Cecil Purdy

South Western London College while in London with his father.

Flynn at South West London College in 1923

Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore), from which he was expelled

His consistent inability to conform to school regulations foreshadowed the unconventional path his life would take. (2)

CAREER RECORD Flynn's career path was remarkably varied before he found fame in Hollywood:

1927: Brief period of office work with a Sydney shipping company

1927-1932: Various positions in New Guinea including district officer trainee, copra plantation overseer, partner in a charter schooner business, gold prospector, and manager of a tobacco plantation at Laloki

1932: First film role as Fletcher Christian in In the Wake of the Bounty, produced in Australia by Charles Chauvel

1933-1934: Acted with the Northampton Repertory Company in England until being dismissed for throwing a female stage manager down a stairwell

1934: Performed in London's West End, at the 1934 Malvern Festival, and in Glasgow

1934: Starred in Murder at Monte Carlo, a quota quickie made by Warner Brothers at their Teddington Studios (now a lost film)

1935: Made Hollywood debut with a small role in The Case of the Curious Bride

1935: First leading role in Captain Blood, which launched him to stardom

1935-1959: Made approximately 60 films, with his peak years being 1936-1942

APPEARANCE Flynn stood 6' 1¼" (1.86 m) tall and was celebrated for his handsome, athletic build. He was one of Hollywood's most physically impressive leading men during his prime years, though his appearance deteriorated in later life due to his lifestyle. His dashing good looks and physical agility made him perfect for action-adventure roles.

Errol Flynn in 1944

FASHION Errol Flynn had a stylish fashion sense, both in his flamboyant onscreen costumes and in smart civilian attire. He favored crisp white spearpoint collar shirts, often worn unbuttoned with a black and white polka dot cravat or other bold patterned cravats. He liked single-button jackets, which emphasized his slim build, and almost always wore a pocket square. He was also fond of two-tone spectator brogues and penny loafers, often worn without socks. He could pull off an open shirt without neckwear, relying on his confidence.

CHARACTER Flynn was known for his womanizing and hedonistic lifestyle. He often described himself as having been "a pirate in another life."

Friend and fellow actor David Niven said of him: "You always knew precisely where you stood with him because he always let you down... he thoroughly enjoyed causing turmoil for himself and his friends." (3)

Contrary to his public image, Diana Naylor-Leyland, who knew Flynn in Rome in the 1950s, remembered him as "rather shy, very polite, sweet and keen to talk about books and the Classics." (4)

SPEAKING VOICE Errol Flynn's accent was shaped by his Australian upbringing and later years in England and America, resulting in a cultivated, slightly transatlantic tone that was fashionable among Hollywood stars of his era. His vocal delivery was confident and energetic, yet could also convey warmth and sensitivity when required by the role.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Flynn had a notorious sense of humor and loved playing pranks on friends and colleagues. His autobiography details various practical jokes throughout his life, from the childhood goose incident to more elaborate stunts during his Hollywood years. This mischievous streak was a consistent element of his personality throughout his life.

RELATIONSHIPS Flynn's romantic life was as turbulent and dramatic as his films:

He was married three times:

His first marriage was to French actress Lili Damita. Their wedding was on June 19, 1935 at Gretna Green Wedding Chapel, Yuma, Arizona, USA. Five years his senior, her contacts proved valuable when Flynn arrived in Los Angeles. They had a volatile relationship with physical fights, including incidents where she hit him with a bottle causing a concussion, and he had "no compunction about hitting her back." They had one son, Sean Flynn (1941-1970?), who later disappeared in Cambodia while working as a photojournalist during the Vietnam War.

Damita and Errol Flynn at Los Angeles airport, 1941, by Los Angeles Times

His second wedding was to Nora Eddington in 1943. He met her at the courthouse tobacco shop during his statutory rape trial when she was underage. They had two daughters: Deirdre (born 1945) and Rory (born 1947). They divorced in 1949.

Flynn's third marriage was to actress Patrice Wymore. The civil ceremony was held on October 23, 1950 at the town hall in Monte Carlo, Monaco. They held a religious ceremony on October 24. 1950 at the Lutheran Church in Nice, France.

At their wedding reception, Flynn was served a writ accusing him of seducing an underage French girl. According to author David Bret, the four bridesmaids at the wedding were extras from his film Adventures of Captain Fabian, all of whom had allegedly slept with Flynn. (3)

Patrice Wymore in the 1950s

Flynn had a professional partnership with Olivia de Havilland, appearing in eight films together, which sparked rumors of romance that de Havilland denied

He had an affair with Lupe Velez (the "Mexican Spitfire") while she was married to Johnny Weismuller

In his later years, had a controversial two-year relationship with Beverly Aadland, which began when she was 17 and continued until his death.

Errol Flynn and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard were close friends. According to Hubbard's son, the two were involved in illegal activities together including drug smuggling.

MONEY AND FAME Errol Flynn rose rapidly to wealth and fame after his breakout role in Captain Blood in 1935, which instantly made him one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors. By the height of his stardom in 1939, Flynn was earning $6,000 per week, surpassing even Bette Davis, who earned $5,000 weekly. His newfound fortune fueled an extravagant lifestyle, which included purchasing expensive properties and his beloved yacht, the Zaca. Flynn's home on Mulholland Drive, originally budgeted at $35,000, ultimately cost $125,000 after a series of lavish additions.

Despite his early financial success, Flynn struggled with money in his later years. He faced mounting financial difficulties, including lawsuits and issues with the IRS. These troubles eventually forced him to sell his prized yacht, the Zaca—a transaction he was negotiating at the time of his death.

FOOD AND DRINK Flynn was infamous for his heavy drinking habits. He often consumed two or three quarts of vodka daily, and when banned from drinking on film sets, he would inject oranges with vodka and eat them during breaks. Flynn even created his own cocktail, a variation on the classic White Lady (without egg white), which he described as "cleaner, tarter and more masculine." His parties aboard the Zaca became legendary for their extravagance and spectacle

MOVIE CAREER Errol Flynn’s Hollywood career, like the man himself, arrived with a swoop, a grin, and an absolutely indefensible amount of chest hair. Practically overnight, he transformed from an Australian beach-bum with suspicious stories about gold mining in New Guinea to the very embodiment of dashing, technicolor heroism. In 1935, Warner Bros., clearly drunk or desperate or both, handed the unknown 26-year-old the lead in Captain Blood, a title that sounds like a medical emergency but was in fact a pirate film. Flynn clambered aboard, flung his cape over one shoulder, flashed those ridiculously photogenic teeth, and boom—a star was born, swords were crossed, maidens swooned, and the studio accountants danced jigs.

For the next decade, Flynn swashbuckled with such relentless enthusiasm that it’s a miracle he didn’t pull a hamstring. He galloped through The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936), swung from trees in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)—still the definitive Robin Hood for anyone with a soul—and blazed across the West in Dodge City (1939), Virginia City (1940), and They Died with Their Boots On (1941), which, mercifully, is not about a tragic cowboy sock shortage.

And let’s talk about Robin Hood for a moment. Flynn’s performance was so iconic, the American Film Institute later ranked him the 18th-greatest cinematic hero of all time. Not bad for a man who looked like he combed his hair with a breeze and had sword fights with more elegance than most people bring to tying their shoes.

He frequently shared the screen with the luminous Olivia de Havilland, forming a romantic duo so perfect it could have been bottled and sold as a tonic for heartbreak. Their chemistry was so incandescent it threatened to melt the celluloid. They starred together in eight films, all of which involved longing gazes, impeccable lighting, and at least one moment where someone dramatically refused to surrender.

Flynn also worked with directors like Michael Curtiz and Raoul Walsh, whose combined output included so much cinematic spectacle you’d be forgiven for assuming Warner Bros. kept an entire backlot just for plumed hats and fog machines. Flynn rarely used stunt doubles, preferring to leap off balconies, duel with villains, and charge into battle himself, often while delivering lines with the smug glee of someone who knows he’s going to win—and look terrific doing it.

Even as the 1940s gave way to more noirish, weary postwar stories, Flynn adapted—sort of. He boxed in Gentleman Jim (1942), swung sabres in The Sea Hawk (1940), and fought jungle diseases in Objective, Burma! (1945), a World War II adventure so full of patriotic fervor it practically saluted itself. In later years, he even turned to film noir (Cry Wolf), melodrama, and—in a wonderfully self-aware turn—played John Barrymore in Too Much, Too Soon (1958), which is either a film title or a review of his entire lifestyle.

All told, Flynn made around 66 feature films, not counting short films and television, which he drifted into like a man who’s misplaced his cravat but still insists on being charming. His final years were riddled with scandal, alcohol, and eyebrow-raising memoirs, but none of it could erase the magic of those earlier years—when the Technicolor was lush, the swords were sharp, and no one, absolutely no one, wore tights quite like Errol Flynn.

MUSIC AND ARTS Flynn's films often featured significant musical scores by prominent composers like Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Max Steiner, and Franz Waxman. Korngold scored seven of Flynn's films, including Captain Blood, The Adventures of Robin Hood, and The Sea Hawk. These scores are considered masterpieces of film music.

LITERATURE Errol Flynn wrote an autobiography titled My Wicked, Wicked Ways, published in 1959, the year of his death

In 1937, he published Beam Ends, a book about his seven-month journey from Sydney to New Guinea aboard the cutter Sirocco

While in New Guinea, he wrote columns on local life for the Sydney Bulletin.

He later wrote articles about his experiences with the Cuban revolution for the New York Journal American.

NATURE Flynn had a profound connection to the sea throughout his life: He owned multiple vessels over his lifetime, including the cutter Sirocco and the schooner Zaca.

His mother's "seafaring folk" background influenced his lifelong interest in boats and the sea

In 1952, Flynn took scientists from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography on an expedition for scientific research aboard his schooner.

PETS Errol Flynn was a devoted dog owner and loved dogs throughout his life. His most famous canine companion was a standard Schnauzer named Arno, who was almost as well known as Flynn himself. Arno accompanied Flynn everywhere, including film sets, premieres, parties, restaurants, and even his yacht, the Sirocco. The dog was known for barking enthusiastically when filming ended, eager for Flynn’s attention. Arno’s loyalty was so profound that Flynn reportedly loved him more than any human in his life. Tragically, Arno died in 1941 after jumping overboard while chasing flying fish, and Flynn was so grief-stricken he arranged for a naval burial at sea for his beloved pet. (4)

In addition to Arno, Flynn also owned several other dogs over the years. He bred Rhodesian Ridgebacks on his Hollywood ranch, becoming one of the first people in America to do so. Flynn’s pack of Ridgebacks and other dogs contributed to his reputation as an animal lover, and he was sometimes photographed with Doberman Pinschers and other breeds at his Mulholland Drive home.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Sailing was his greatest passion and lifelong hobby. He owned several boats, most notably the schooner Zaca, which he purchased in 1946 and restored at an estimated cost of $80,000.

SCIENCE AND MATHS In 1952, he used his yacht Zaca to take scientists from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography on an expedition south of California and through the Panama Canal to the Caribbean, collecting samples for scientific research

His father's scientific background as a biologist may have influenced his interest in supporting marine research

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Flynn’s philosophy could be summarized as “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” He lived for the moment, pursuing pleasure and adventure, and resisted any attempt to be constrained by rules, systems, or expectations. In his own words: “I have no clear-cut system of philosophy. I want none. I want no design for living. I want no one to tell me how to live. I will take it from day to day. I follow no leaders, no set of rules, and don’t anyone lay down rules for me”. He saw himself as a rugged individualist and a rebel, both against God and government, and admitted to being tormented by a sense of missing something that others with faith seemed to possess.

Despite his hedonistic lifestyle, Flynn was not without spiritual curiosity or longing. He often confessed to wanting faith but being “faithless,” and wrote, “I want faith and am faithless… I love myself and hate myself… I want to be loved but I may myself be incapable of really loving… I laugh a lot, and I weep secretly more often than most men”. Accounts from friends and biographers suggest that Flynn wrestled with questions of faith and meaning throughout his life, sometimes reading the Bible and expressing a desire for belief, even as he remained skeptical and agnostic. (5)

POLITICS Flynn's political leanings have long been the subject of controversy and contradictory claims. In 1980, British author Charles Higham published Errol Flynn: The Untold Story, in which he alleged that Flynn was a Nazi spy, citing purported evidence from declassified FBI documents. However, these accusations have been met with significant skepticism from other biographers, who question both the credibility of the sources and the interpretation of the evidence.

Contrary to Higham's claims, other evidence points to Flynn having leftist political sympathies. He supported causes such as the Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) and later expressed support for the Cuban Revolution in the late 1950s. Flynn even traveled to Spain during the civil war, working as a war correspondent for Hearst newspapers. In his later years, he befriended Fidel Castro, sympathized with the Cuban revolutionary movement, and wrote articles about his experiences. This body of evidence suggests that Flynn's political views were more complex and left-leaning than some critics have alleged.

SCANDAL Flynn's life was marked by numerous scandals:

In 1943, he was charged with four counts of statutory rape, leading to headlines like Robin Hood Accused of Rape and The Dirty Deeds of Captain Blood. Though ultimately acquitted, the trial shattered his heroic film persona and became a personal turning point

He met his second wife, Nora Eddington, at the courthouse tobacco shop during this trial; she was also underage

His relationship with Beverly Aadland, which began when she was 17, created controversy, especially after his death.

At his wedding to Patrice Wymore, he was served with a writ accusing him of seducing an underage French girl

MILITARY RECORD Despite portraying military heroes on screen and living through the era of World War II, Errol Flynn was unable to serve in the armed forces. He made repeated attempts to enlist in every branch of the United States Armed Services but was classified 4F, meaning unfit for service, due to numerous health issues.

Hollywood executives worked to keep Flynn's health problems out of the public eye, aiming to preserve his image as a robust and heroic leading man. As a result, Flynn became a "virtual" war hero through his popular film roles in the early 1940s, embodying the bravery and adventure of soldiers on screen.

However, as time passed, Flynn's inability to serve in the military during the war became a source of criticism, contrasting sharply with the heroic characters he so often portrayed in his films.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS The contrast between Errol Flynn's athletic screen image and his actual health was striking. Although he appeared physically impressive and energetic in his films, Flynn suffered from numerous health problems that ultimately prevented him from serving in the military during World War II.

As he aged, Flynn's lifestyle took a heavy toll. He became an alcoholic and gained significant weight, which contributed to what was often described as a "seedy appearance" in his later years. When he died at the age of 50, the autopsy revealed that his body was in the condition of a 75-year-old man, ravaged by years of excessive drinking and hard living. His liver was so badly damaged that doctors estimated he could have survived only another nine to twelve months, even if he had not suffered a fatal heart attack. This stark reality stood in sharp contrast to the dashing, vigorous hero he portrayed on screen.

HOMES Flynn's primary residences were as distinctive and grand as his larger-than-life persona. He owned the famed "Mulholland House" at 7740 Mulholland Drive, an expansive property styled after a Connecticut farmhouse and set on eleven and a half acres in the Hollywood hills. The estate featured unique touches, such as circular stables modeled after the Lipizzaner stables in Vienna, reflecting Flynn's flair for the dramatic and the exotic.

Inside, his den was designed to resemble a pirate's lair, complete with a zebra skin rug, model galleons, a ship's clock, and a barometer—details that echoed his adventurous spirit and love of the sea. After his separation from Lili Damita, Flynn established his "party headquarters" at 601 N. Linden Drive, where he shared the home with fellow actor David Niven, further cementing his reputation as a Hollywood bon vivant.

In his later years, Flynn spent much of his time living aboard his beloved yacht, the 118-foot schooner Zaca, which became both his home and a symbol of his enduring passion for adventure and the open water.

TRAVEL Errol Flynn was a true global wanderer, with a life marked by restless travel and adventure. In his early years, he journeyed extensively throughout New Guinea, seeking his fortune in gold mining and plantation work. He moved frequently between New Guinea and Sydney, taking on a variety of jobs and living by his wits, which helped shape his adventurous spirit and adult personality.

After leaving New Guinea, Flynn lived and worked in England, where he began his acting career before eventually making his way to Hollywood and international stardom. His love of the sea led him to impulsively purchase a sailboat, on which he sailed to Spain and then returned via the West Indies, further fueling his reputation as a daring adventurer.

Flynn’s passion for sailing continued throughout his life. In 1952, he took his yacht through the Panama Canal to the Caribbean, and by 1954, he had moved the vessel to the Mediterranean, keeping it at Mallorca. He spent time in Rome during the 1950s, immersing himself in the city's vibrant social scene. Later, his wanderlust took him to Cuba, where he documented the revolution, always seeking new experiences and stories to tell.

DEATH Errol Flynn died on October 14, 1959, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He was in the city to negotiate the sale of his beloved yacht, the Zaca, due to mounting financial difficulties. On the day of his death, Flynn began experiencing severe pain in his back and legs. He was taken by his friend George Caldough and accompanied by Beverly Aadland to the home of Dr. Grant Gould. There, Dr. Gould administered medication, which initially improved Flynn’s spirits. Flynn entertained those present with stories from his Hollywood days before retiring to a bedroom to rest. About fifteen to twenty minutes later, Aadland found him unresponsive. Despite emergency efforts, including adrenaline injections and attempts by fire and medical crews, Flynn never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead that evening. The cause of death was a heart attack (myocardial infarction) due to coronary thrombosis and advanced coronary atherosclerosis, with significant liver damage also noted as a contributing factor.

Following his death, Flynn’s body remained at the Vancouver Morgue for two days, as Canadian law required an autopsy for foreign nationals. Once released, his remains were transported by train to Los Angeles, a journey that took four days. Upon arrival, the body was turned over to the authorities in Los Angeles County. Due to health concerns and regulations at the time, the L.A. coroner ordered a closed-casket burial.

Flynn’s funeral was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California. The service was attended by family members, including his third wife, Patrice Wymore, and his children. Contrary to some rumors, there is no evidence that bottles of liquor were placed in his coffin, although this story has circulated in the press. Flynn was buried at Forest Lawn within 24 to 48 hours of his body’s arrival in Los Angeles. Despite his personal wish to be buried in Jamaica, where he had spent much of his later life, legal and logistical issues made this impossible, and he was laid to rest in California. (4)

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Errol Flynn appeared in over fifty A-list films. His life has been the subject of numerous biographies and documentaries, including The Adventures of Errol Flynn (2005 TV Movie). His autobiography, My Wicked, Wicked Ways, was published in 1959. He also made television appearances, hosting and starring in historical stories.