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(December 9, 1909 – May 7, 2000)
 Douglas
Elton Fairbanks, Jr. was born in New York City, the son of actor
Douglas Fairbanks and his first wife, Anna Beth Sully. His parents
divorced when he was ten years old. He lived with his mother in
California, Paris, and London.
Largely on the basis of his name, he was given a contract at age
fourteen with Paramount Pictures. After making some undistinguished
films, he took to the stage, where he impressed his father, his
step-mother Mary Pickford, and Charlie Chaplin, who encouraged him
to continue with acting.
Fairbanks starred in several pre-Code films with Loretta Young, and
supported Katharine Hepburn in her Oscar-winning role in the film
Morning Glory (1933).
With Little Caesar (1931), Outward Bound (1930), Gunga Din (1939),
and The Dawn Patrol (1930), his movies began to have more commercial
success.
Although celebrated as an actor, Fairbanks most enduring legacy was
a well-kept secret for decades. At the onset of World War II,
Fairbanks was commissioned a reserve officer in the U.S. Navy and
assigned to Lord Mountbatten's Commando staff in England.
For his planning the diversion-deception operations and his part in
the amphibious assault on Southern France, Lieutenant Commander
Fairbanks was awarded the U.S. Navy's Legion of Merit with bronze V
(for valor), the Italian War Cross for Military Valor, the French
Legion d'Honneur and the Croix de Guerre with Palm, and the British
Distinguished Service Cross. Fairbanks was also awarded the Silver
Star for valor displayed while serving on PT boats.
Fairbanks, Jr. returned to Hollywood at the conclusion of World War
II and enjoyed success as host of the Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Theater
in the early years of television.
Fairbanks has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for
motion pictures at 6318 Hollywood Boulevard and one for television
at 6665 Hollywood Boulevard. |
