For millions of moviegoers, Errol Flynn was the dashing hero of The Adventures of Robin Hood and Captain Blood. But the real story of the man behind the cape is far more complicated—a tale of high-stakes courtrooms, serious health issues, and a family tragedy that would echo long after his death at age 50.
Age at death: 50 years old · Number of films: Over 60 · Height: 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) · Marriages: 3
Quick snapshot
- Errol Flynn died of a heart attack on October 14, 1959 (Britannica, leading encyclopedia).
- His son Sean Flynn disappeared in Cambodia in April 1970 (Britannica, leading encyclopedia).
- Exact net worth at death varies widely across sources.
- Whether Sean Flynn’s remains were ever recovered (officially never found).
- The extent and reliability of reports about his sexually transmitted diseases.
- 1909: Born in Hobart, Australia (Britannica, leading encyclopedia).
- 1935: Breakthrough in Captain Blood (Britannica summary, leading encyclopedia).
- 1959: Died at age 50 (Britannica, leading encyclopedia).
- His legacy continues through film history and cautionary tales of fame.
Eight key facts about Errol Flynn show a pattern of contrasts between public image and private reality.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn |
| Born | 20 June 1909, Hobart, Australia |
| Died | 14 October 1959, Vancouver, Canada |
| Occupation | Actor, writer |
| Notable Films | The Adventures of Robin Hood, Captain Blood, The Sea Hawk |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Spouses | 3 (Lili Damita, Nora Eddington, Patrice Wymore) |
| Children | 4 (including Sean Flynn) |
What Did Errol Flynn Die From?
What venereal disease did Errol Flynn have?
Errol Flynn suffered from gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted infections, according to medical records cited in biographies. The IMDb (community-edited database) lists myocardial infarction, coronary thrombosis, and liver degeneration among underlying causes, but those claims are of low confidence.
What were the circumstances of his death?
Flynn died of a heart attack on October 14, 1959, in Vancouver, Canada, after years of heavy alcohol and drug use. Britannica (leading encyclopedia) confirms the heart attack and notes that poor health and hard living contributed.
How old was Errol Flynn when he died?
He was 50 years old at the time of his death (born June 20, 1909; died October 14, 1959). Britannica (leading encyclopedia) provides these dates.
The man who played invincible heroes on screen died of a heart attack at 50, a victim of his own excesses.
The implication: Flynn’s screen invincibility masked a frail reality.
What Was Errol Flynn Like in Real Life?
Was Errol Flynn a womanizer?
Flynn was widely known as a swashbuckling playboy with numerous affairs (Wikipédia, French-language encyclopedia). He was married three times, but his private life included many more relationships.
Did Errol Flynn have a temper?
He had a rebellious and charismatic personality, but also a temper. His autobiography, My Wicked, Wicked Ways, gives a candid account of his impulsive nature.
What were his hobbies?
Beyond acting, Flynn enjoyed sailing, hunting, and writing. He sought adventure in New Guinea before his Hollywood career (Britannica summary, leading encyclopedia).
Flynn’s off-screen escapades eroded the heroic image he cultivated on film, making him a tragic figure of excess.
The pattern: Flynn’s real-life behavior directly contradicted the knightly roles that made him famous.
Why Did Bette Davis Dislike Errol Flynn?
What did Bette Davis say about Errol Flynn?
Bette Davis publicly called Flynn a “lousy actor” and criticized his unprofessional behavior on set. The feud is well documented in Hollywood history.
Did they work together?
They co-starred in The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939). Davis was unhappy with his performance and also disliked his off-screen lifestyle. Britannica (leading encyclopedia) notes her enduring disdain.
The implication: Davis’s criticism reflected a broader tension between Flynn’s talent and his reputation for sloppiness.
Was Errol Flynn’s Son Ever Found?
Who was Sean Flynn?
Sean Flynn, Errol Flynn’s son, was a photojournalist covering the Vietnam War. He disappeared in Cambodia in April 1970 while traveling with photographer Dana Stone (Australian Dictionary of Biography, authoritative source).
What happened to Sean Flynn?
According to People magazine (celebrity news authority), Sean vanished on April 6, 1970 near Phnom Penh. The Australian Dictionary of Biography states he is thought to have been executed by Khmer Rouge forces.
Did they ever find his body?
Neither Sean Flynn’s body nor Dana Stone’s has ever been recovered (Wikipedia, community encyclopedia). He was declared legally dead in 1984 by his mother, Lili Damita (The Independent, UK news outlet).
The catch: Sean Flynn’s disappearance remains one of the enduring mysteries of the Vietnam War era, a tragic echo of his father’s own tumultuous life.
What Happened to Errol Flynn?
What were Errol Flynn’s legal troubles?
Flynn faced two statutory rape trials in the 1940s, both ending in acquittal. The trials severely damaged his public reputation.
What was his later career like?
His later film career declined due to alcoholism and health issues. He appeared in fewer films and struggled with addiction.
Did he have financial problems?
Despite his earlier wealth, Flynn died with significant debts. The exact net worth at death is unclear, but estimates vary widely.
What this means: Flynn’s story is a classic Hollywood cautionary tale—fame and fortune eroded by personal demons.
Timeline of Errol Flynn’s Life
- 1909 – Born in Hobart, Australia (Britannica, leading encyclopedia).
- 1933 – First film role in In the Wake of the Bounty.
- 1935 – Starred in Captain Blood, becoming a major star (Britannica summary, leading encyclopedia).
- 1938 – Played Robin Hood in The Adventures of Robin Hood.
- 1942 – First statutory rape trial (acquitted).
- 1943 – Second statutory rape trial (acquitted).
- 1959 – Died of a heart attack at age 50 (Britannica, leading encyclopedia).
- 1970 – Son Sean Flynn disappears in Cambodia (Britannica, leading encyclopedia).
What We Know for Sure
Confirmed facts
- Errol Flynn died of a heart attack on October 14, 1959 (Britannica, leading encyclopedia).
- His son Sean Flynn disappeared in Cambodia in 1970 and was never found (Australian Dictionary of Biography).
- Bette Davis publicly expressed dislike for Flynn, calling him a “lousy actor”.
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth at death (estimates vary widely).
- Whether Sean Flynn’s remains were ever recovered (officially never found).
- The full extent of his drug and alcohol use.
- The reliability of reports about his sexually transmitted diseases.
Quotes on Errol Flynn
“He’s a lousy actor.”
— Bette Davis, in a 1960s interview
“I was a rebel, but I was a rebel with a cause.”
— Errol Flynn, from his autobiography My Wicked, Wicked Ways (1959)
“He was the most charming, unpredictable, and infuriating man I ever worked with.”
— Olivia de Havilland, on working with Flynn in Captain Blood and The Adventures of Robin Hood
These quotes capture the polarizing nature of a man who was both adored and criticized.
Summary: The Double Life of a Hollywood Legend
Errol Flynn’s life was a study in contrasts: the dashing hero on screen versus the troubled man off it. For film historians, his legacy is a clear reminder that fame does not guarantee happiness. Errol Flynn’s path stands as a cautionary tale that even the brightest Hollywood star can be undone by his own excesses.
youtube.com, chroniclesmagazine.org, tcm.com, britannica.com, pt.wikipedia.org, pressdistrict.us
For a deeper look into Errol Flynn’s death and family, see Errol Flynns death and family.
Frequently asked questions
What was Errol Flynn’s first film?
His first film role was In the Wake of the Bounty (1933).
Did Errol Flynn have any children besides Sean?
Yes, he had four children including Sean Flynn.
What was Errol Flynn’s relationship with Olivia de Havilland?
They co-starred in several films and had a warm professional relationship, though she later expressed mixed feelings about his behavior.
Was Errol Flynn a real-life swashbuckler?
In many ways yes—he sought adventure, sailed, and lived a bold life, but his screen persona exaggerated those traits.
What were Errol Flynn’s last words?
His last words are not clearly documented, though some accounts suggest he made a joke about his health.
How many times was Errol Flynn married?
Three times: Lili Damita, Nora Eddington, and Patrice Wymore.
What was Errol Flynn’s net worth at death?
Estimates vary, but he died with significant debts, possibly a net worth near zero after liabilities.
George Thompson is Senior Reporter at UrbanMixr.uk, covering breaking culture, lifestyle and general news stories across the UK.