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Errol Flynn

Errol Flynn was an Australian-born actor who became one of Hollywood’s best-known stars of the 1930s and 1940s.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Errol Flynn was an Australian-born actor who became one of Hollywood’s best-known stars of the 1930s and 1940s. He was especially famous for swashbuckling adventure roles such as Robin Hood in The Adventures of Robin Hood and the title role in Captain Blood. He was born in Hobart, Tasmania, and died in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1959.

Early life

Errol Flynn was born in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, in 1909. He was the son of Theodore Thomson Flynn, a marine biologist. After an early life in Australia, he moved into acting.

Hollywood career

Flynn rose to fame in Hollywood during the 1930s, where Warner Bros. cast him in a series of popular adventure films. He became closely identified with heroic, action-oriented roles and was widely associated with the swashbuckler screen persona.

Notable films

His best-known roles include the title role in Captain Blood and Robin Hood in The Adventures of Robin Hood. He also appeared in films such as The Charge of the Light Brigade and several westerns.

Later life and death

Flynn died in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in 1959 at the age of 50. Accounts describe his death as resulting from a heart attack. His autobiography, My Wicked, Wicked Ways, was published posthumously.

Key facts

  • Errol Flynn was born in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, in 1909.
  • He became a major Hollywood star in the 1930s, especially in adventure films.
  • His best-known roles include Captain Blood and Robin Hood.
  • He was widely associated with the swashbuckler screen persona.
  • He died in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1959.
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Canadian context

Flynn died in Vancouver, British Columbia, making Canada the place of his death and a notable part of his biography.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Errol Flynn?
He was an Australian-born actor who became a major Hollywood star known for swashbuckler and adventure films.
What was Errol Flynn famous for?
He was best known for playing heroic adventure leads, especially Captain Blood and Robin Hood.
Where was Errol Flynn born?
He was born in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
When did Errol Flynn die?
He died on October 14, 1959.
Where did Errol Flynn die?
He died in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

References

  1. Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Errol-Flynn
    Supports: Born in Hobart, Tasmania; died in Vancouver, British Columbia; Australian actor; celebrated as a leading swashbuckler.
  2. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Errol_Flynn
    Supports: Major roles including Captain Blood, The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Charge of the Light Brigade, and westerns such as Dodge City, Santa Fe Trail, Virginia City, and San Antonio.
  3. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001224/bio/
    Supports: Full name, birth and death dates and places, Australian birth, Hollywood fame in the 1930s, and death from a heart attack.
  4. Australian Dictionary of Biographyhttps://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/flynn-errol-leslie-6364
    Supports: Birth in Hobart, death in Vancouver, and family background.