Date of Birth

9 December 1909, New York City, New York, USA

Date of Death

7 May 2000, New York City, New York, USA

Birth Name

Douglas Elton Ulman Fairbanks

Although he appeared in approximately 100 movies or TV shows, Douglas Elton Ulman--better known as Douglas Fairbanks Jr.--never really intended to take up acting as a career. However, the environment he was born into and the circumstances naturally led him to be a thespian. Noblesse oblige. The son of future silent era swashbuckling idol 'Douglas Fairbanks' and Beth Sully--the daughter of a very wealthy cotton mogul--was born in 1909 and soon proved a gifted boy. To the end of his life he remained a multi-talented, hyperactive man, not content to appear in the 100 films mentioned above. Handsome, distinguished and extremely bright, he excelled at sports (much like his father), notably during his stay at the Military Academy in 1919 (his role in Claude Autant-Lara's "L'athlète incomplete" illustrated these abilities). He also excelled academically, and attended the Lycéee Janson de Sailly in Paris, where he had followed his divorced mother. Very early in his life he developed a taste for the arts as well and became a painter and sculptor. Not content to limiting himself to just one field, he became involved in business, in fields as varied as mining, hotel management, owning a chain of bowling alleys and a firm that manufactured popcorn. During World War II he headed London's Douglas Voluntary Hospital (an establishment taking care of war refugees), was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's special envoy for the Special Mission to South America in 1940 before becoming a lieutenant in the Navy (he was promoted to the rank of captain in 1954) and taking part in the Allies' landing in Sicily and Elba in 1943. A fervent Anglophile, was knighted in 1949 and often entertained Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in his London mansion, "The Boltons".

His film career began at the age of 13 when he was signed by Paramount Pictures. He debuted in Stephen Steps Out (1923) but the film flopped and his career stagnated despite a critically acclaimed role in Stella Dallas (1925). Things really picked up when he married Lucille Le Sueur, a young starlet who was soon to become better known as Joan Crawford. The young couple became the toast of the town (one "Screen Snapshots" episode echoes this sudden glory) and good parts and success followed, such as the hapless partner of Edward G. Robinson in Little Caesar (1931) a favorably reviewed turn as the villain in The Prisoner of Zenda (1937) or more debonair characters in slapstick comedies or adventure yarns. The 1930s were a fruitful period for Fairbanks, his most memorable role probably being that of the British soldier in Gunga Din (1939); although it was somewhat of a "swasbuckling" role, Fairbanks made a point of never imitating his father. After the World War II, his star waned and, despite a moving part in Ghost Story (1981), he did not appear in a major movie. Now a legend himself, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. left this world with the satisfaction of having lived up to the Fairbanks name at the end of a life nobody could call "wasted".

Son of Douglas Fairbanks.

Interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in same crypt with father, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.

His death was reported on the front page of the Times in London and Buckingham Palace expressed its condolences on his demise

Created an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1949

Cousin of Lucile Fairbanks.

Nephew of Robert Fairbanks, John Fairbanks.

Cousin-in-law of Owen Crump.

He had a lifelong, cultivated interest in international affairs. In 1941 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt appointed him a special envoy to South America.

He held the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit with V for valor in combat device from the U.S. government for his combat service in PT boats and gunboats.

His father, Douglas Fairbanks, was his best man at his marriage to Mary Lee Eppling.

Daughters: Daphne, Victoria, and Melissa.

Was awarded the British Distinguished Service Cross, the French Legion of Honor and Croix de Guerre with Palm for his services during World War II.

Biography in: "American National Biography". Supplement 1, pp. 196-197. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.

Brother-in-law of Hal Le Sueur.

Host of an entertaining introductory film shown to visitors of the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum in Washington D.C.

Interviewed in "Talking to the Piano Player: Silent Film Stars, Writers and Directors Remember" by Stuart Oderman (BearManor Media).

He was awarded 3 Stars on the HOllywood Walk of Fame for Motion Pictures at 6318 Hollywood Boulevard, for Radio at 6710 Hollywood Boulevard, and for Television at 6661 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

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