Douglas Fairbanks Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Douglas Fairbanks Jr. KBE DSC KStJ
Fairbanks in 1973, by Allan Warren
Born	Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr. (1909-12-09)December 9, 1909 New York City, U.S.
Died	May 7, 2000(2000-05-07) (aged 90) New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Actor producer naval officer
Years active	1916–1997
Spouse(s)	Joan Crawford ​ ​ (m. 1929; div. 1933)​ Mary Lee Epling ​ ​ (m. 1939; died 1988)​ Vera Shelton ​ (m. 1991)​
Children	3
Parent(s)	Douglas Fairbanks (father)
Relatives	Jack Whiting (stepfather)
Military career
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1941–1954
Rank	Captain
Unit	Beach Jumpers
Battles/wars	World War II Convoy PQ 17 Operation Husky Operation Dragoon
Awards	Silver Star Legion of Merit Italian War Cross Legion of Honour Croix de Guerre Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Honorary) Distinguished Service Cross (UK)

Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr. (December 9, 1909 – May 7, 2000) was a famous American actor, producer, and a brave naval officer during World War II. He was known for his roles in exciting films like The Prisoner of Zenda (1937), Gunga Din (1939), and The Corsican Brothers (1941). His father was the legendary actor Douglas Fairbanks, and his stepmother was Mary Pickford. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was briefly married to actress Joan Crawford.

Early Life and Education

Young Douglas Fairbanks Jr. with his mother

Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr. was born in New York City. He was the only child of the famous actor Douglas Fairbanks and his first wife, Anna Beth Sully. His father was one of the first big movie stars, famous for adventure films like The Mark of Zorro and Robin Hood. Douglas Jr. even had small parts in his father's movies when he was very young.

His parents divorced when he was nine years old. Douglas Jr. then lived with his mother in different cities, including New York, Paris, and London. He went to several schools, including the Hollywood School for Boys and Harvard Military School. He also attended a special after-school drill academy called Knickerbocker Greys.

Becoming a Movie Star

Starting in Hollywood

When Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was just 13, he got a movie contract with Paramount Pictures. This was largely because of his father's fame. He was supposed to star in a film about Tom Sawyer, but that movie was never made. Instead, he appeared in Stephen Steps Out (1923), which wasn't a big success.

After a short break, he returned to Hollywood. He wanted to build his acting career carefully. He took on supporting roles in films like The Air Mail (1925).

First Big Successes

Fairbanks Jr. got his first big break in the film Stella Dallas (1925). This movie was a hit and helped his career. He continued to appear in supporting roles in various films.

In 1927, he made his first appearance on stage in a play called Young Woodley. He received great reviews for his performance. This play really helped improve his reputation in Hollywood. It was also around this time that he met and fell in love with actress Joan Crawford.

From Supporting Roles to Leading Man

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. slowly started getting more important roles. He starred in films like The Power of the Press (1928), directed by Frank Capra. He also appeared in his first "talkie" (a movie with sound), The Barker (1928). He often starred opposite Loretta Young in films like Fast Life.

In 1929, he appeared in Our Modern Maidens with Joan Crawford, whom he married that year. He continued to get leading roles in films like The Careless Age (1929).

Breaking Through with Little Caesar

A major turning point came in 1930 when he starred in The Dawn Patrol, directed by Howard Hawks. Then, in 1931, he played a key role alongside Edward G. Robinson in the gangster movie Little Caesar. This film was a huge success and is now considered a classic.

After Little Caesar, Warner Bros. offered him a special contract. This contract allowed him to approve the cast, story, and director for his films. This was a very rare privilege for an actor his age! He wanted to avoid adventure films, which were his father's specialty. He starred in films like Chances (1931) and Morning Glory (1933) with Katharine Hepburn.

In 1934, he left Hollywood for a few years and moved to London. He felt that Hollywood was making too many movies too quickly.

Back to Action Films

Fairbanks Jr. returned to Hollywood when he was offered a role in The Prisoner of Zenda (1937). His father encouraged him to take the part, saying it was a great role for an actor. The movie was a big hit.

He then signed a contract with RKO to make two films a year. He started starring in more action and adventure films. His biggest hit was Gunga Din (1939), where he starred with Cary Grant. He also made The Corsican Brothers (1941), which was a tribute to his father's swashbuckling style. This film was also very successful.

World War II Service

Douglas Fairbanks Jr., known as the "Father of the U.S. Navy Beach Jumpers"

When the United States entered World War II, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. joined the United States Navy as an officer. He worked with Lord Mountbatten's commando staff in the United Kingdom.

In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent him as a special representative to South America. He also served on a ship during a dangerous operation called Convoy PQ 17.

Fairbanks Jr. later came up with an amazing idea for a special military unit. This unit, called the Beach Jumpers, would pretend to be a much larger invasion force. They would use special equipment to trick the enemy into thinking the main attack was happening somewhere else. This would draw enemy attention away from the real landing sites.

The Beach Jumpers first saw action during Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily. They continued to perform these risky deception missions throughout the war.

For his brave planning and actions in the war, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. received many important awards. These included the American Legion of Merit and Silver Star. He also received awards from other countries, such as the Italian War Cross for Military Valor, the French Légion d'honneur and Croix de Guerre, and the British Distinguished Service Cross.

He stayed in the US Naval Reserve after the war and eventually became a captain in 1954.

After the War

Back to Hollywood and British Life

After World War II, Fairbanks Jr. returned to Hollywood. He starred in films like Sinbad the Sailor (1947) and The Exile (1947), which he also wrote and produced. However, these films were not as successful as his earlier ones.

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. loved the United Kingdom and spent a lot of time there. He was well-known in British society. In 1949, he was made an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE). He moved to the UK in the early 1950s.

He continued to act in British films, such as the thriller State Secret (1950). Between 1954 and 1956, he also produced and starred in a TV show called Douglas Fairbanks Presents.

Later Career and Other Ventures

Fairbanks Jr. appeared as a guest on many American television shows in the 1950s. He also co-produced films like The Silken Affair (1957).

He continued to act on stage, touring in plays like My Fair Lady. He also appeared in TV movies and series, including The Love Boat. His last feature film was Ghost Story (1981).

Besides acting, Fairbanks Jr. was also a successful businessman. He was involved in making ballpoint pens, real estate, and managing plays.

He wrote two autobiographies: The Salad Days (1988) and A Hell of a War (1993), which described his experiences during World War II.

Personal Life

Douglas Fairbanks Jr.'s first marriage was to actress Joan Crawford in 1929. He was 19, and she was four years older. They divorced in 1933. Even after their divorce, he defended Joan Crawford when a book was written about her. He said the person described in the book was not the Joan Crawford he knew.

In 1939, he married Mary Lee Hartford. They were married until her death in 1988. They had three daughters: Daphne, Victoria, and Melissa. In 1991, he married Vera Lee Shelton.

Fairbanks Jr. was good friends with many famous people, including actors Laurence Olivier and Rex Harrison.

Death and Legacy

Fairbanks's tomb at Hollywood Forever

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. passed away on May 7, 2000, at the age of 90, from a heart attack. He was buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California, in the same tomb as his father.

He has three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in movies, television, and radio. In 1969, he was added to the International Best Dressed List.

His personal belongings were sold at an auction in 2011, raising over $500,000.

Filmography

Radio Appearances

Awards and Honors

• Silver Star
• Legion of Merit
• American Defense Service Medal
• American Campaign Medal
• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal
• Naval Reserve Medal
• Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, 1949 (KBE, United Kingdom)
• Knight of the Order of St John (KStJ, United Kingdom)
• Knight of the Legion of Honor (France)
• Officer of the Order of the Southern Cross (Brazil)
• Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
• Croix de Guerre, 1939–1945 with bronze palm (France)
• War Cross for Military Valor (Italy)
• Federal Cross of Merit, Commander's Cross (West Germany)

Images for kids

• 

  Coat of arms of Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

• 

  Fairbanks in 1958 wearing the mantle and insignia of a Knight of Justice of the Order of St. John.

See also

In Spanish: Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. para niños