Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
- Acting
- December 9, 1909 · New York City, New York, USA
- May 7, 2000
Biography
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.
Known for
Filmography
- Marlene Dietrich: Home Movies · Self
- The Real Charlie Chaplin · Self
- 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year · Self
- ZEITENBLICKE- Jetzt ist Hallstatt Zeit · Self
- Mary Pickford: The Muse of the Movies · Self
- Anna May Wong - Frosted Yellow Willows: Her Life, Times and Legend · In Memory Of
- Little Caesar: End of Rico, Beginning of the Antihero · Self
- On Location with Gunga Din · Self / Thomas Anthony Ballantine (archive footage)
- Checking Out: Grand Hotel · Self
- Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Movie Star · Self
- Goldwyn: The Man and His Movies · Self
- Mary Pickford: A Life on Film · Self, Thanks
- Star Power: The Creation Of United Artists · Self, Thanks
- Joan Crawford: Always the Star · Self
- The Battle Over Citizen Kane · Self
- Secret Lives
- Stars and Stripes: Hollywood and World War II · Self
- Vivien Leigh: Scarlett and Beyond · Self
- You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story · Self
- Night of 100 Stars III · Self
- B.L. Stryker · White
- American Experience · Self
- Cary Grant: A Celebration of a Leading Man · Self
- Hollywood Uncensored · Self
- The Dame Edna Experience · Self
- Strong Medicine · Eli Camperdown
- Strong Medicine · Eli Camperdown
- George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey · Self
- The Compleat Gilbert & Sullivan · Self
- The Mikado · Self
- Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage · Self
- La Belle Epoque · Self / Narrator
- Laurence Olivier: A Life · Self
- Yesteryear · Self
- Trial by Jury · Self
- Cox and Box · Self
- H.M.S. Pinafore · Self
- The Pirates of Penzance · Self
- The Gondoliers · Self
- Iolanthe · Self
- Night of 100 Stars · Self
- Ghost Story · Edward Wanderley
- From Raquel with Love · The Almighty
- The Hostage Tower · Malcolm Philpott
- Hollywood · Self
- The Art of Film: The Many Roles of Alec Guinness · Narrator
- The Art of Film: Vintage Hitchcock · Narrator
- Kingdom Of Gifts · The Proud King
- The Love Boat · Elliott Norman, Elliott Banning
- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? · Thanks
- Dinah! · Self
- The American Film Institute Salute to ... · Self
- The Crooked Hearts · Rex Willoughby
- Film '72 · Self
- The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour · Self
- Great Performances · Self
- The Pearl Bailey Show · Self
- Red and Blue · Millionaire
- The Dick Cavett Show · Self
- The Legend of Robin Hood · King Richard
- Red, White, and Zero · Millionaire
- Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In · Self
- The Funniest Man in the World · Narrator
- Omnibus · Self
- The Canterville Ghost · Mr. Otis
- ABC Stage 67 · Mr. Otis
- The Merv Griffin Show · Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson · Self
- The Mike Douglas Show · Self
- Dr. Kildare · Dr. Robert Devlin
- Route 66 · Charles Clayton
- The Big Party · Self
- Chase a Crooked Shadow · Self, Producer
- The Dinah Shore Chevy Show · Self
- The Ford Show · Self
- The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show · Self
- The Silken Affair · Executive producer
- The Steve Allen Show · Self
- Cinépanorama · Self
- Police Dog · Producer