Jimmy Finlayson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Finlayson
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Finlayson in The Flying Deuces, 1939
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| Born | August 27, 1887 |
| Died | October 9, 1953 (aged 66) |
James Henderson "Jimmy" Finlayson (born August 27, 1887 – died October 9, 1953) was a Scottish-American actor. He was famous for acting in funny movies, both silent films (without sound) and "talkies" (with sound). Jimmy Finlayson was easy to spot because he was bald and wore a fake mustache. He had many funny ways of acting that made people laugh. He was known for his squinting eyes, his amazing "double-take" (a delayed reaction to something surprising), and his special "fade away" head movement. He also had a famous expression, D'oh!, which many people still recognize today.
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Early Life and Career
Jimmy Finlayson was born in Larbert, Scotland, in 1887. He started his acting career on the stage. He performed in plays in Scotland and later moved to the United States. In America, he continued acting in theater shows. His talent for comedy soon led him to the growing world of movies.
Working in Silent Films
Finlayson became a popular actor in the silent film era. These were movies without spoken words, where actors used their faces and bodies to tell the story. He worked with famous movie producer Hal Roach. At Hal Roach Studios, Finlayson appeared in many short comedy films. He often played funny, grumpy characters or people who were easily annoyed.
His Famous Comedy Style
Jimmy Finlayson had a very unique way of making people laugh. His most famous move was the "double-take." This is when a character looks at something, looks away, and then quickly looks back again as if they just realized what they saw. He also had a funny way of squinting his eyes and a special head movement that looked like he was slowly fading away. These actions made him a favorite with audiences.
Working with Laurel and Hardy
Finlayson is best known for his many roles alongside the famous comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. He appeared in 33 of their films. He often played their boss, their enemy, or someone they annoyed. His funny reactions and unique expressions were a perfect match for Laurel and Hardy's humor. Some of his most famous movies with them include The Devil's Brother and Way Out West.
Later Years and Legacy
Jimmy Finlayson continued acting in movies even after silent films were replaced by talkies. He appeared in over 200 films during his career. He passed away in Los Angeles, California, in 1953. Even today, his funny expressions and unique acting style are remembered by comedy fans. He helped shape the way comedy was done in early Hollywood.
Images for kids
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Film still from Down on the Farm (1920)
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See also
In Spanish: Jimmy Finlayson para niños
