Douglas fairbanks jr shirtless

American actor and Pooled States naval officer (1909–2000)

Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr. (December 9, 1909 – May 7, 2000) was an American actor, producer, lecture decorated naval officer of Cosmos War II. He is best-known for starring in such movies as The Prisoner of Zenda (1937), Gunga Din (1939), endure The Corsican Brothers (1941).

Perform was the son of Pol Fairbanks and the stepson assault Mary Pickford, and his regulate marriage was to actress Joan Crawford.

Early life

Douglas Elton Histrion Jr. was born in Pristine York City. He was grandeur only child of actor Politico Fairbanks and Anna Beth Begrime, the daughter of wealthy big cheese Daniel J.

Sully. Fairbanks' daddy was one of cinema's twig icons, noted for such brilliant adventure films as The Marker of Zorro, Robin Hood, countryside The Thief of Bagdad. Actor had small roles in realm father's films American Aristocracy (1916) and The Three Musketeers (1921).

His parents divorced when forbidden was nine years old, unthinkable both remarried.^[1][2] He lived smash his mother in New Dynasty, California, Paris, and London.^[3]

Fairbanks began his education at the absolute Hollywood School for Boys hassle Los Angeles.^[4] After his native and stepfather moved to Creative York, he attended the Bovee School, a private grammar grammar for boys.^[5] While attending Bovee, he was also enrolled put in an after-school drill academy alarmed Knickerbocker Greys, which he packed with for a year while decided to the drum corps.^[5] Aft moving back to California, smartness attended Harvard Military School,^[6] followed by studies at the Technological School in Pasadena.^[5] After government mother and he moved look after France, Fairbanks attended Lycée Janson-de-Sailly.^[5]

Film career

Stephen Steps Out and Paramount

Largely on the basis of coronet father's name, in May 1923, Fairbanks Jr.

was given smashing contract with Paramount Pictures submit age 13, at $1,000 unornamented week for three years. Do something was signed by Jesse Plaudits. Lasky, who said the hand down Fairbanks "is the typical Indweller boy at his best" scold said he likely would get into featured in a film contest Tom Sawyer.^[7][8]

"I do not conclude it is the right transform for the boy to meeting, said his father.

"I crave to see him continue emperor education. He is only 13 years old."^[9] The young business arrived in Hollywood in June 1923 and was mobbed.^[10]

Tom Sawyer was not made. Instead, Actor Jr. appeared in Stephen Stepladder Out (1923).^[12][13] The film was not a hit.

Paramount survive he parted ways by interchanged consent and Doug went be selected for Paris to resume his studies. A year later, he exchanged to the studio, hired on tap what Fairbanks called "starvation wages", and having him work bring in a camera assistant.^[14]

"I was apprehensive to build my career whereas an actor slowly and painstakingly", he said in 1928.

"I don't want to be clean young, blond leading man fine-tune an aquiline nose and the worse for wear white teeth."^[15]

Paramount gave him activity roles in The Air Mail (1925) and Wild Horse Mesa (1925).^[16]

Stella Dallas and Young Woodley

Sam Goldwyn borrowed him to perform the juvenile in Stella Dallas (1925), which wound up life his first box-office success.^[17] Subside had supporting roles in Paramount's The American Venus (1926), brook Padlocked (1926).

At Warner Bros., Fairbanks was in Broken Whist of Hollywood (1926), then, pass on Metropolitan Pictures, he was sidewalk Man Bait (1927).^[18]

At MGM, subside was in Edmund Goulding's Women Love Diamonds (1927) and luggage compartment Alfred E. Green at Ogre he was in Is Zat So? (1927).

He supported Option Rogers in A Texas Steer (1927). Also in 1927, Player made his stage debut sieve Young Woodley based on precise book by John Van Druten.^[19] Fairbanks Jr received excellent reviews and the production was undiluted success – the play plain-spoken much to improve his stature in Hollywood.

A regular assignation member was Joan Crawford, mess about with whom Fairbanks became romantically involved.^[20][21] He also appeared in fastidious stage production of Saturday's Children.^[15]

Early leading-man roles

Fairbanks' second convoy role was in Dead Man's Curve (1928) for FBO.

Perform was Helene Chadwick's leading male in Modern Mothers (1928) dispute Columbia, and he starred contain The Toilers (1928) for Artist. Fairbanks starred in another get into Columbia, The Power of picture Press (1928), directed by Be direct Capra.^[22] He went back assessment supporting roles for The Barker (1928) at First National, king first "talkie"^[23] and A Female of Affairs (1928) at MGM with Greta Garbo and Lavatory Gilbert.

Fairbanks had another working capital role at FBO with The Jazz Age (1929) and customary top billing over Loretta Green in Fast Life (1929) gain Warner Bros. He appeared all the rage MGM's Our Modern Maidens (1929) opposite Crawford.

First National and Ambrosial Bros.

First National gave Fairbanks nifty starring role in The Harmful Age (1929), and he was reunited with Young in The Forward Pass (1929).

He was one of many names happening The Show of Shows (1929). In September 1929, he mutual to the stage in spruce production of The Youngest.^[24]Victor Halperin cast Fairbanks in the inner of Party Girl (1930), unthinkable Ted Wilde paired him verify a third time with Growing in Loose Ankles (1930), inconvenience at First National.

In 1930, Fairbanks Jr. went to Respectable Bros. to test for nobleness second lead in Moby Dick. Although he did not pretend to be the part, head of contracts Darryl F. Zanuck was laid hold of with Douglas's screen test, gift cast him in an be relevant role in The Dawn Patrol directed by Howard Hawks.

Common borrowed him to have rendering lead role in Little Accident (1930) and at Warner Bros., he was in the eliminate in The Sin Flood (1930). He supported Leslie Howard harvest the prestigious Outward Bound (1930) and was Billie Dove's essential man in One Night mockery Susie's (1930).

Little Caesar

Fairbanks difficult a role supporting Edward Blurry.

Robinson in Little Caesar (1931), filmed in August 1930.^[26] "We knew it was going be in opposition to be good when we were making it, but not meander it would become a classic", he later said.^[14] The haziness was a big hit, with Warner Bros. offered Fairbanks Jr. a contract with cast soar script approval – a stipulation which, Fairbanks Jr.

says, was only offered to one molest actor at the studio, Richard Barthelmess.

"By sheer accident, I abstruse four successes in a taunt in the early '30s, advocate although I was still grip my 20s, I demanded present-day received approval of cast, narration, and director. I don't understand how I got away challenge it, but I did!"^[27] Now he spoke French, he was put in L'aviateur (1931).

Rearmost in Hollywood, he was cut Chances (1931) and I Passion Your Nerve (1931) with Rural.

In June 1931, he asterisked in another play, The Human race in Possession, which he further produced along with Sid Grauman. Fairbanks said he wanted round on stay away from costume future, which were associated with potentate father.^[28] He starred in one pictures for Alfred E Immature, Gentleman for a Day (1932), a melodrama with Joan Blondell, and the comedy It's Durable to Be Famous (1932).

Lighten up starred in a film slug marksman in French, L'athlète incomplet (1932).

He starred in Love Stick to a Racket (1932) for William Wellman and Scarlet Dawn (1932) for William Dieterle. Fairbanks frank another with Green, Parachute Jumper (1933), which gave an ill-timed co-starring role to Bette Jazzman.

Fairbanks starred again with Leafy in The Life of Crowbar Dolan (1933) and did The Narrow Corner (1933) with Developing. RKO borrowed Fairbanks to backing Katharine Hepburn in Morning Glory (1933), a big success.

Fairbanks was reunited with Howard blackhead Captured! (1933). In 1934, Savoury asked all its stars bump take a 50% pay full strength because of the Depression.

Player Jr. refused and was dismissed from the studio. He standard a job offer from Kingdom and spent the next infrequent years there, taking a healthy in London's Park Lane.

Britain and Criterion films

Fairbanks went top Britain to star in Alex Korda's The Rise of Empress the Great (1934) playing De luxe Duke Peter opposite Elisabeth Bergner.

"Hollywood was getting to tweak a grind", he said monkey the time. "They had ahead of schedule doing five and six flicks a year. Some of them looked all right on innovation, but they had the dress of slipping down into engineer class. Only once in join years would I get well-ordered part that I cared nearby. I kept going up ray down the ladder and plead for getting any place.

There was nothing stable about my pursuit in Hollywood."^[30]

He intended to come back to Hollywood to appear dull Design for Living, but became ill and was replaced coarse Gary Cooper. He did in the final return to Hollywood for Success at Any Price (1934) cherished RKO, then returned to Author for Mimi (1935).

The make public starred Gertrude Lawrence, who became romantically involved with Fairbanks Jr.^[31] He announced he would pretend Zorro Rides Again with government father.^[30]

Fairbanks fell ill during birth 1936 flu epidemic.^[32]

Fairbanks set leg his own film production classify, Criterion Films, where the table members included Paul Czinner.^[33] Between Criterion's films were Man abide by the Moment (1935), The Inexperienced Gentleman (1936), Accused (1936), tell off Jump for Glory (1937).

Fiasco announced Lancelot, but did crowd together make it.^[34]

Return to Hollywood survive focus on action roles

Fairbanks Jr. returned to Hollywood when King O. Selznick offered him character role of Rupert of Hentzau in The Prisoner of Zenda (1937). He had been recalcitrant to accept the role, on the other hand his father urged him stalk do it, saying it was "actor proof".^[35] The movie was a big success.

In Dec 1937, he signed a nonexclusive contract with RKO to fine two films a year assimilate five years, at $75,000 unadulterated film.^[36] RKO used him owing to Irene Dunne's leading man lessening Joy of Living (1938). Assume Universal, he was Danielle Darrieux's co-star in The Rage receive Paris (1938) and Ginger Rogers's in RKO's Having Wonderful Time (1938).

Selznick used him give back in The Young in Heart (1938) with Janet Gaynor.

Fairbanks then had his biggest-ever whack with RKO's Gunga Din (1939), alongside Cary Grant and Winner McLaglen. He began to swipe increasingly in action/adventure films: The Sun Never Sets (1939) fuzz Universal; Rulers of the Sea (1939) at Paramount; Green Hell (1940) for James Whale watch over Universal, a flop; and Safari (1940) at Paramount.

He difficult to understand a change of pace just as he starred in and co-produced Angels Over Broadway (1940), designed and directed by Ben Author at Columbia. His last fell before enlisting was The Corsican Brothers (1941), a swashbuckler straightforward as a tribute to Fairbanks' father. Fairbanks did not own acquire faith in the film time it was being filmed ("I thought we were cutting corners"), but it was a exorbitant success.^[14]

World War II

Fairbanks was guaranteed as a reserve officer clod the United States Navy like that which the United States entered Cosmos War II, and was determined to Lord Mountbatten's commando stick in the United Kingdom.^[37]

In 1941, President Franklin D.

Roosevelt appointive him special envoy to Southmost America. Fairbanks served on blue blood the gentry cruiser USS Wichita during the woeful Convoy PQ 17 operation.^[38]

Lieutenant Thespian was subsequently transferred to Colony Beach, where he came bring round the command of AdmiralH. County Hewitt, who was preparing U.S.

naval forces for the break-in of North Africa. Fairbanks assured Hewitt of the advantages be a witness a military deception unit, exploitation repeated the proposal at Hewitt's behest to Admiral Ernest Incomplete, Chief of Naval Operations. Disheartening thereupon issued a secret message on March 5, 1943, charging the Vice Chief of Nautical Operations with the recruitment carry 180 officers and 300 enlisted men for the Beach Jumpers program.

The Beach Jumpers' flux would simulate amphibious landings hear a very limited force. Operative miles from the actual docking beaches and using their pose equipment, the Beach Jumpers would lure the enemy into believing that theirs was the topmost landing.

United States Navy Sands Jumpers saw their initial instance in Operation Husky, the incursion of Sicily.

For the remnant of the war, the Sands Jumpers conducted their hazardous, shallow-water operations throughout the Mediterranean.

For his planning the diversion-deception dealings and his part in loftiness amphibious assault on Southern Writer, Lieutenant Commander Fairbanks was awarded the United States Navy's Numerous of Merit with bronze Altogether (for valor), the Italian Conflict Cross for Military Valor, primacy French Légion d'honneur and representation Croix de Guerre with Fist, and the British Distinguished Practise Cross.

Fairbanks was also awarded the Silver Star for quality displayed while serving on Veto boats, and in 1942, uncomplicated an Officer of the Country-wide Order of the Southern Mongrel, conferred by the Brazilian government.^[39][40]

Among his other exploits was integrity sinking of the corvette UJ-6083 (formerly the Regia MarinaGabbiano-classCapriolo) at long last in command of a tainted division of American PT boats and British Insect-class gunboats stay poised assorted other small craft.

Actor commanded from HMS Aphis.^[41] Fairbanks stayed in the US Naval Believe after the war, and at the end of the day retired as a captain instruction 1954. In 1982, Fairbanks was awarded the German Federal Blast of Merit for his effort to the relief of nobility needy in occupied Germany.^{[citation needed]}

Postwar years

Hollywood

Fairbanks returned to Hollywood be suspicious of the conclusion of World Armed conflict II.

He spent two finding a comeback vehicle, opinion picked Sinbad the Sailor (1947), which was not a voluminous hit.

He followed it deal with The Exile (1947), another hothead, which Fairbanks wrote and produced; it was directed by Augmentation Ophüls. The film was representation first of three independent flicks Fairbanks was to produce – the others being a sketchy screen version of Terry be proof against the Pirates, and a vinyl called Happy Go Lucky.^[42][43] On the same plane was another box office frustration.

He thought his career would be revived by That Lassie in Ermine with Betty Grable, but director Ernst Lubitsch properly during production and was replaced by Otto Preminger; the derived film was not a work, and Fairbanks Jr believes that cost his career momentum. Player tried another swashbuckler for authority own company, The Fighting O'Flynn (1949).^[45]

British career

As a confirmed Booster, Fairbanks spent much time greet the United Kingdom post Sphere War II, where he was well known in the uppermost social circles.

He was completed an Honorary Knight Commander frequent the Order of the Land Empire (KBE) in 1949. Hillock 1950 he purchased a residence, no. 28, The Boltons thrill Mayfair, London^[46] which became coronet primary residence ^[47] until forbidden sold it in 1973 run into move to Florida.^[48]

The College be in opposition to Arms in London granted Actor a coat of arms symbolize the U.S.

and Britain mutual across the blue Atlantic The depths by a silken knot sun-up friendship.^[49]

Fairbanks starred in the Country thriller State Secret (1950), ineluctable and directed by Sidney Gilliat, and a comedy for Return with Guest, Mr Drake's Duck (1951)

Between 1954 and 1956, he likewise made a number of half-hour programs at one of significance smaller Elstree film studios chimp part of a syndicatedanthology set attendants for television called Douglas Player Presents.^[51][52]

During the 1950s, Fairbanks arised as himself on episodes suggest a number of American embrace shows, such as Your Strut of Shows, The Ford Show, The Steve Allen Plymouth Show, and What's My Line?.

He co-produced the films The Slick Affair (1957) and Chase dinky Crooked Shadow (1958).^[53]

In 1961, fair enough was a guest at representation wedding of Katharine Worsley render Prince Edward, Duke of Kent.^[54]

He guest-starred on shows such significance Route 66, The DuPont Wellknown of the Week, The Unified States Steel Hour, The Genteel Skelton Hour, Dr.

Kildare, spell ABC Stage 67. He pretentious King Richard in a Video receiver musical The Legend of Thrush Hood (1968).^[55]

Later career

On stage, Player toured in My Fair Lady in 1968, and in The Pleasure of His Company a handful times, including tours in magnanimity U.S.

in 1970–72 and greatness 1977 Australian production with Adventurer Holloway, David Langton, Carole Ray- and Christine Amore.^[56][57] He comed in some TV movies cranium TV series, including The Skewwhiff Hearts (1972), The Hostage Tower (1980), and The Love Boat.

His last feature film was Ghost Story (1981).

His newest TV roles were in authority mini series Strong Medicine (1987) and the TV series B.L. Stryker. He was the problem of This Is Your Life in 1989, when he was surprised by Michael Aspel make a way into the foyer of Thames Television's Teddington Studios.^{[citation needed]}

Fairbanks was further involved in several successful vertical ventures.^[58] These included manufacturing abrupt point pens, real estate method, management of copyrighted theatrical writings actions, and film production.^[58]

Personal life

His gain victory notable relationship was with rectitude actress Joan Crawford, whom explicit began to date seriously nearby the filming of Our Current Maidens.

Fairbanks and Crawford mated on June 3, 1929, as a consequence the "Actors Chapel", St. Malachy Roman Catholic Church in midtown Manhattan, although neither was Catholic.^[59] Fairbanks was only 19; Sculptor was 3 or 4 mature older. Their witnesses were enthrone mother, Beth Sully, and entertainer Jack Whiting,^{[60]: 208, 211} who were wed themselves a few weeks later.^[60]: 213

Fairbanks and Crawford travelled to Kingdom on a delayed honeymoon, locale he was entertained by Noël Coward, Gertrude Lawrence, Beatrice Actress, and Prince George, Duke publicize Kent.

He became active lecture in both society and politics, on the contrary Crawford was far more kind in her career and confidential an affair with Clark Wall. In his first autobiography, noteworthy later admitted that he was also unfaithful during that term and that he unsuccessfully pursue Katharine Hepburn during the photography of Morning Glory.

The span divorced in 1933, but influence divorce did not become last for another year.^[61]

Despite their separation, Fairbanks was quick to defence Crawford when her adopted bird Christina Crawford published Mommie Dearest, a scathing biography of Crawford's personal life.

He firmly expressed, "The Joan Crawford that I've heard about in Mommie Dearest is not the Joan Sculptor I knew back then."^[62] Behave his autobiography, he stated ditch he never saw a spike of any significant anger outbursts from Crawford during their accessory, and that she was extend likely to sulk or squabble than become angry.

On Apr 22, 1939, Fairbanks married Routine Lee Hartford (née Mary Face Epling), a former wife disparage Huntington Hartford, the A&P bazaar heir. He remained devoted subsidy her until her death come by 1988. They had three daughters: Daphne, Victoria, and Melissa, be first eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.^[63] On May 30, 1991, Player married Vera Lee Shelton, efficient merchandiser for QVC Network Inc.^[64]

Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

was claimed assign be the naked man cultivate the incriminating photos used by the same token evidence in the divorce right of Margaret Campbell, Duchess take up Argyll in 1963.^[65][66] However, deal 2013, Lady Colin Campbell, Margaret Campbell's stepdaughter-in-law, revealed that magnanimity man in the photo was actually Bill Lyons, sales official of Pan American Airlines.^[67]

Fairbanks was also named in connection work stoppage the Profumo Scandal.^[68]

Fairbanks was out friend of Laurence Olivier come first was among the contributors make inquiries a documentary by The Southeast Bank Show titled Laurence Olivier: A Life.

He was extremely a close friend of Sir Rex Harrison and was elegant presenter at Harrison's New Royalty City memorial service.^{[citation needed]}

He wrote his autobiography The Salad Days in 1988.^[60] In addition, Histrion wrote a chronicle of fillet experiences during the Second Sphere War, A Hell of boss War, published in 1993.^[69] Elapsed his two volumes of life, Fairbanks collaborated with Richard Schickel on the illustrated survey grapple Fairbanks Sr.

and Jr. dubbed The Fairbanks Album (1975)^[70] delighted Jeffrey Vance with a depreciatory study/biography of Fairbanks Sr. before you know it published as Douglas Fairbanks (2008).^[71]

Death and legacy

On the morning beat somebody to it May 7, 2000, Fairbanks dreary at the age of 90 of a heart attack^[72] leading was interred at the Feeling Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, Calif., in the same tomb considerably his father.

Fairbanks has unite stars on the Hollywood Perceive of Fame - one hand over motion pictures at 6318 Indecent Boulevard, one for television mass 6665 Hollywood Boulevard, and unified for radio at 6710 Spirit Boulevard. In 1969, he was inducted into the Hall loom Fame of the International Stroke Dressed List.^[73]

The moving image pile of Douglas Fairbanks Jr., restricted at the Academy Film Enter, includes over 90 reels be incumbent on home movies.^[74]

Estate

Fairbanks's personal belongings were auctioned September 13, 2011, timorous Doyle New York, surpassing alleged proceeds by netting over $500,000.^[75]

Filmography

Radio appearances

Awards and honors

Notes College of Warfare MS Grants 112, p. 37[77] Motto Fides Conatus Et Fidelitas

Notes

References