Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Actor, Producer, Writer
December 9, 1909 — May 7, 2000 (90 years)
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.
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.
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.
Known For
Filmography
| 1989 | B.L. Stryker · as White |
| 1986 | Strong Medicine · as Eli Camperdown |
| 1981 | Ghost Story · as Edward Wanderley |
| 1980 | From Raquel with Love · as The Almighty |
| 1980 | The Hostage Tower · as Malcolm Philpott |
| 1977 | The Love Boat · as Elliott Banning |
| 1976 | America at the Movies · as Joe Massara |
| 1972 | The Crooked Hearts · as Rex Willoughby |
| 1967 | The Funniest Man in the World · as Narrator |
| 1966 | ABC Stage 67 · as Mr. Otis |
| 1964 | Shindig · as Capulet |
| 1961 | Dr. Kildare · as Dr. Robert Devlin |
| 1961 | The DuPont Show of the Week · as Hans Harben |
| 1960 | Route 66 · as Charles ClaytonOn Plex |
| 1954 | Destination Milan · as Cast |
| 1953 | The United States Steel Hour · as Host |
| 1953 | The Triangle · as Francois Villon (segment: A Lodging For The Night) |
| 1951 | The Red Skelton Show · as Colonel Nigel Fitztitely |
| 1951 | Mr Drake's Duck · as Donald 'don' Drake |
| 1950 | The Pulitzer Prize Playhouse · as John Deacon January |
| 1950 | The Great Manhunt · as Dr. John Marlowe |
| 1949 | The Fighting O'Flynn · as The O'flynn |
| 1948 | That Lady in Ermine · as Colonel Ladislas Karolyi Teglas / The Duke |
| 1947 | The Exile · as Charles Ii |
| 1947 | Sinbad, the Sailor · as Sinbad |
| 1941 | The Corsican Brothers · as Lucien Franchi / Mario Franchi |
| 1940 | Angels Over Broadway · as Bill O'brien |
| 1940 | Safari · as Jim Logan |
| 1940 | Green Hell · as Keith Brandon |
| 1939 | Rulers of the Sea · as David 'davie' Gillespie |
| 1939 | The Sun Never Sets · as John Randolph |
| 1939 | Gunga Din · as Thomas Anthony Ballantine |
| 1938 | The Young in Heart · as Richard Carleton |
| 1938 | Having Wonderful Time · as Chick Kirkland |
| 1938 | The Rage of Paris · as Jim Trevor |
| 1938 | Joy of Living · as Daniel 'dan' Brewster |
| 1937 | The Prisoner of Zenda · as Rupert Of Hentzau |
| 1937 | When Thief Meets Thief · as Ricky Morgan |
| 1936 | Accused · as Tony Seymour |
| 1936 | The Amateur Gentleman · as John Beverley Aka Barnabas Barty |
| 1935 | Mimi · as Rodolphe |
| 1935 | Man of the Moment · as Tony Woodward |
| 1934 | Success at Any Price · as Joe Martin |
| 1934 | The Rise of Catherine the Great · as Grand Duke Peter |
| 1933 | Captured! · as Lieutenant Fred Digby |
| 1933 | Morning Glory · as Joseph Sheridan |
| 1933 | The Narrow Corner · as Fred Blake |
| 1933 | The Life of Jimmy Dolan · as Jimmy |
| 1933 | Parachute Jumper · as Bill Keller |
| 1932 | Scarlet Dawn · as Baron Nikita 'nikki' Krasnoff |
| 1932 | Love Is a Racket · as James 'jimmy' Russell |
| 1932 | Union Depot · as Charles 'chick' Miller |
| 1932 | It's Tough to Be Famous · as Scott 'scotty' Mcclenahan |
| 1931 | I Like Your Nerve · as Larry O'brien |
| 1931 | Chances · as Jack Ingleside |
| 1931 | Little Caesar · as Joe MassaraOn Plex |
| 1930 | Outward Bound · as Henry |
| 1930 | One Night at Susie's · as Dick Rollins |
| 1930 | The Dawn Patrol · as Douglas 'doug' Scott |
| 1930 | Loose Ankles · as Gil |
| 1930 | Party Girl · as Jay RountreeOn Plex |
| 1929 | Show of Shows · as Ambrose In 'bicycle Built For Two' Number (uncredited) |
| 1929 | The Forward Pass · as Marty Reid |
| 1929 | The Careless Age · as Wyn |
| 1929 | Our Modern Maidens · as Gil Jordan |
| 1929 | Fast Life · as Douglas Stratton |
| 1928 | A Woman of Affairs · as Jeffry Merrick |
| 1928 | The Power of the Press · as Clem Rogers |
| 1928 | The Barker · as Chris Miller |
| 1928 | The Garden of Eden · as Busboy (uncredited) |
| 1926 | Padlocked · as Sonny Galloway |
| 1926 | The American Venus · as Triton |
| 1925 | Stella Dallas · as Richard Grosvenor |
| 1925 | Wild Horse Mesa · as Chess Weymer |
| 1921 | The Three Musketeers · as (uncredited) |
| 1916 | American Aristocracy · as Newsboy (uncredited) |
| 1958 | |
| 1956 | The Silken Affair · as Executive Producer |
| 1955 | |
| 1953 | Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Presents · as Executive Producer |
| 1952 | Terry and the Pirates · as Executive Producer |
| 1951 | |
| 1949 | |
| 1947 | |
| 1940 | Angels Over Broadway · as Associate Producer |
| 1937 | |
| 1936 | |
| 1936 |
| 1949 | |
| 1947 |
| 1953 | Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Presents · as Adaptation |
| 1950 | Night and the City · as Casting |
| 1932 | Scarlet Dawn · as Contributor To Dialogue |