
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.
Read more
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.
Start here
The best way into Douglas Fairbanks Jr.'s work
First 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 filmEssential films
Ranked by acclaim and reachFilmography
84 films as actor- 1986Strong MedicineEli Camperdown
- 1981Ghost StoryEdward Wanderley
- 1980From Raquel with LoveThe Almighty
- 1980The Hostage TowerMalcolm Philpott
- 1978Kingdom Of GiftsThe Proud King
- 1972The Crooked HeartsRex Willoughby
- 1968Red and BlueMillionaire
- 1968The Legend of Robin HoodKing Richard
- 1968Red, White, and ZeroMillionaire
- 1966The Canterville GhostMr. Otis
- 1953Three's CompanyNarrator / Anthony
- 1953The GenieThe Genie
- 1951Mr. Drake's DuckDonald 'Don' Drake
- 1950State SecretDr. John Marlowe
- 1949The Fighting O'FlynnThe O'Flynn
- 1948That Lady in ErmineColonel Ladislas Karolyi Teglas / The Duke
- 1947The ExileCharles II
- 1947Sinbad the SailorSinbad
- 1942The Corsican BrothersLucien Franchi / Mario Franchi
- 1940Angels Over BroadwayBill O'Brien
- 1940SafariJim Logan
- 1940Green HellKeith Brandon
- 1939Rulers of the SeaDavid 'Davie' Gillespie
- 1939The Sun Never SetsJohn Randolph
- 1939Gunga DinThomas Anthony Ballantine
- 1938The Young in HeartRichard Carleton
- 1938Having Wonderful TimeChick Kirkland
- 1938The Rage of ParisJim Trevor
- 1938Joy of LivingDaniel 'Dan' Brewster
- 1937The Prisoner of ZendaRupert of Hentzau
- 1937Jump for GloryRicky Morgan
- 1936AccusedTony Seymour
- 1936The Amateur GentlemanJohn Beverley aka Barnabas Barty
- 1935Man of the MomentTony Woodward
- 1935MimiRodolphe
- 1934Success at Any PriceJoe Martin
- 1934The Rise of Catherine the GreatGrand Duke Peter
- 1933Captured!Lieutenant Fred Digby
- 1933Morning GloryJoseph Sheridan
- 1933The Narrow CornerFred Blake
- 1933The Life of Jimmy DolanJimmy
- 1933Parachute JumperBill Keller
- 1932Scarlet DawnBaron Nikita 'Nikki' Krasnoff
- 1932Love is a RacketJames 'Jimmy' Russell
- 1932It's Tough to Be FamousScott 'Scotty' McClenahan
- 1932Union DepotCharles 'Chick' Miller
- 1931I Like Your NerveLarry O'Brien
- 1931ChancesJack Ingleside
- 1931The Stolen JoolsDouglas Fairbanks Jr.
- 1931The AviatorAlain
- 1931Little CaesarJoe Massara
- 1930One Night at Susie'sDick Rollins
- 1930Outward BoundHenry
- 1930The Way of All MenBilly Bear
- 1930Little AccidentNorman Overbeck
- 1930The Dawn PatrolDouglas 'Doug' Scott
- 1930Loose AnklesGil
- 1930Party GirlJay Rountree
- 1929The Show of ShowsAmbrose in 'Bicycle Built for Two' Number (uncredited)
- 1929The Forward PassMarty Reid
- 1929The Careless AgeWyn
- 1929Our Modern MaidensGil Jordan
- 1929Fast LifeDouglas Stratton
- 1929The Jazz AgeSteve Maxwell
- 1928A Woman of AffairsJeffry Merrick
- 1928The Power of the PressClem Rogers
- 1928The BarkerChris Miller
- 1928The ToilersSteve
- 1928Modern MothersDavid Starke
- 1928The Garden of EdenBusboy (uncredited)
- 1928Dead Man's CurveVernon Keith
- 1927A Texas SteerFarleigh Bright
- 1927Is Zat So?G. Clifton Blackburn
- 1927Women Love DiamondsJerry Croker-Kelley
- 1927Man BaitJeff Sanford
- 1926Broken Hearts of HollywoodHal Terwilliger
- 1926PadlockedSonny Galloway
- 1926The American VenusTriton
- 1925Stella DallasRichard Grosvenor
- 1925Wild Horse MesaChess Weymer
- 1925The Air MailSandy
- 1923Stephen Steps OutStephen Harlow Jr.
- 1921The Three Musketeers(uncredited)
- 1916American AristocracyNewsboy (uncredited)




