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Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

Actor

Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

Born December 9, 1909 in New York City, New York, USADied May 7, 200084 films

Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr. (December 9, 1909 – May 7, 2000) was an American actor, producer, and decorated naval officer of World War II. The son of silent film star Douglas Fairbanks and stepson of Mary Pickford, he established his own successful career in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s, becoming known for his charm, sophistication, and versatility in both romantic comedies and adventure films.

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Among his most notable films are The Prisoner of Zenda (1937), Gunga Din (1939), Little Caesar (1931), and The Corsican Brothers (1941). He also appeared opposite many of the era’s leading actresses, including Katharine Hepburn, Joan Crawford, Loretta Young, Rita Hayworth, and Paulette Goddard.

During World War II, Fairbanks served with distinction in the United States Navy, helping develop military deception and special operations techniques. For his wartime service, he received numerous decorations from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and several other nations. After the war, he continued acting in films and television while also becoming a respected producer and public figure. Fairbanks remains remembered as one of Hollywood’s most elegant leading men and among the few major stars to achieve distinction both on screen and in military service.

In 1969, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the International Best Dressed List.

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The best way into Douglas Fairbanks Jr.'s work
The Prisoner of Zenda posterFirst watchThe Prisoner of Zenda19377.5as Rupert of HentzauA kingdom's ascending heir, marked for assassination, switches identities with a lookalike, who takes his place at the coronation.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
Little Caesar poster6.9Little Caesar1931Gunga Din poster6.5Gunga Din1939Ghost Story poster6.0Ghost Story1981Morning Glory poster6.2Morning Glory1933Sinbad the Sailor poster6.0Sinbad the Sailor1947

Filmography

84 films as actor
  1. 1986Strong MedicineEli Camperdown
  2. 1981Ghost StoryEdward Wanderley
  3. 1980From Raquel with LoveThe Almighty
  4. 1980The Hostage TowerMalcolm Philpott
  5. 1978Kingdom Of GiftsThe Proud King
  6. 1972The Crooked HeartsRex Willoughby
  7. 1968Red and BlueMillionaire
  8. 1968The Legend of Robin HoodKing Richard
  9. 1968Red, White, and ZeroMillionaire
  10. 1966The Canterville GhostMr. Otis
  11. 1953Three's CompanyNarrator / Anthony
  12. 1953The GenieThe Genie
  13. 1951Mr. Drake's DuckDonald 'Don' Drake
  14. 1950State SecretDr. John Marlowe
  15. 1949The Fighting O'FlynnThe O'Flynn
  16. 1948That Lady in ErmineColonel Ladislas Karolyi Teglas / The Duke
  17. 1947The ExileCharles II
  18. 1947Sinbad the SailorSinbad
  19. 1942The Corsican BrothersLucien Franchi / Mario Franchi
  20. 1940Angels Over BroadwayBill O'Brien
  21. 1940SafariJim Logan
  22. 1940Green HellKeith Brandon
  23. 1939Rulers of the SeaDavid 'Davie' Gillespie
  24. 1939The Sun Never SetsJohn Randolph
  25. 1939Gunga DinThomas Anthony Ballantine
  26. 1938The Young in HeartRichard Carleton
  27. 1938Having Wonderful TimeChick Kirkland
  28. 1938The Rage of ParisJim Trevor
  29. 1938Joy of LivingDaniel 'Dan' Brewster
  30. 1937The Prisoner of ZendaRupert of Hentzau
  31. 1937Jump for GloryRicky Morgan
  32. 1936AccusedTony Seymour
  33. 1936The Amateur GentlemanJohn Beverley aka Barnabas Barty
  34. 1935Man of the MomentTony Woodward
  35. 1935MimiRodolphe
  36. 1934Success at Any PriceJoe Martin
  37. 1934The Rise of Catherine the GreatGrand Duke Peter
  38. 1933Captured!Lieutenant Fred Digby
  39. 1933Morning GloryJoseph Sheridan
  40. 1933The Narrow CornerFred Blake
  41. 1933The Life of Jimmy DolanJimmy
  42. 1933Parachute JumperBill Keller
  43. 1932Scarlet DawnBaron Nikita 'Nikki' Krasnoff
  44. 1932Love is a RacketJames 'Jimmy' Russell
  45. 1932It's Tough to Be FamousScott 'Scotty' McClenahan
  46. 1932Union DepotCharles 'Chick' Miller
  47. 1931I Like Your NerveLarry O'Brien
  48. 1931ChancesJack Ingleside
  49. 1931The Stolen JoolsDouglas Fairbanks Jr.
  50. 1931The AviatorAlain
  51. 1931Little CaesarJoe Massara
  52. 1930One Night at Susie'sDick Rollins
  53. 1930Outward BoundHenry
  54. 1930The Way of All MenBilly Bear
  55. 1930Little AccidentNorman Overbeck
  56. 1930The Dawn PatrolDouglas 'Doug' Scott
  57. 1930Loose AnklesGil
  58. 1930Party GirlJay Rountree
  59. 1929The Show of ShowsAmbrose in 'Bicycle Built for Two' Number (uncredited)
  60. 1929The Forward PassMarty Reid
  61. 1929The Careless AgeWyn
  62. 1929Our Modern MaidensGil Jordan
  63. 1929Fast LifeDouglas Stratton
  64. 1929The Jazz AgeSteve Maxwell
  65. 1928A Woman of AffairsJeffry Merrick
  66. 1928The Power of the PressClem Rogers
  67. 1928The BarkerChris Miller
  68. 1928The ToilersSteve
  69. 1928Modern MothersDavid Starke
  70. 1928The Garden of EdenBusboy (uncredited)
  71. 1928Dead Man's CurveVernon Keith
  72. 1927A Texas SteerFarleigh Bright
  73. 1927Is Zat So?G. Clifton Blackburn
  74. 1927Women Love DiamondsJerry Croker-Kelley
  75. 1927Man BaitJeff Sanford
  76. 1926Broken Hearts of HollywoodHal Terwilliger
  77. 1926PadlockedSonny Galloway
  78. 1926The American VenusTriton
  79. 1925Stella DallasRichard Grosvenor
  80. 1925Wild Horse MesaChess Weymer
  81. 1925The Air MailSandy
  82. 1923Stephen Steps OutStephen Harlow Jr.
  83. 1921The Three Musketeers(uncredited)
  84. 1916American AristocracyNewsboy (uncredited)