Errol Flynn Family Tree: The Story Behind Hollywood's Swashbuckler

Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn (1909–1959), born 20 June 1909 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, and died 14 October 1959 in Vancouver, Canada, was Hollywood's most-iconic swashbuckling leading man — Captain Blood (1935), The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), The Sea Hawk (1940), They Died with Their Boots On (1941); notorious for 1942 statutory rape trial (acquitted).

The Family's Roots: An Anglo-Australian Family

Father was a marine biologist.

His Parents

Father: Theodore Thomson Flynn (1883–1968) — marine biologist and academic.

Mother: Lily Mary Young Flynn (1885–1966).

His Sister

Rosemary Flynn (b. 1919).

His Wives

Lili Damita (m. 19 June 1935, div. 31 March 1942) — French actress.

Nora Eddington (m. 22 August 1943, div. 7 July 1949) — cigar-stand girl.

Patrice Wymore (m. 23 October 1950, until his death 1959) — actress.

His Son (with Lili)

Sean Flynn (1941–1970?) — photojournalist; disappeared in Cambodia 1970 at 29; declared dead.

His Children (with Nora)

Deirdre Flynn, b. 1945; Rory Flynn, b. 1947.

His Daughter (with Patrice)

Arnella Flynn (1953–1998).

The Flynn Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Theodore Thomson Flynn (1883–1968) — marine biologist.

Mother: Lily Mary Young Flynn (1885–1966).

Sister: Rosemary Flynn.

Wives: Lili Damita (1935-42); Nora Eddington (1943-49); Patrice Wymore (1950-death).

Children: Sean (1941–1970, disappeared Cambodia); Deirdre (b. 1945); Rory (b. 1947); Arnella (1953–1998).

Errol Flynn:

  • Born 20 June 1909, Hobart
  • Expelled from multiple schools
  • New Guinea plantation manager 1928-33
  • Warner Bros. contract 1935
  • Captain Blood (1935) — breakthrough
  • 1942 statutory rape trial: acquitted; phrase "in like Flynn"
  • Died: 14 October 1959, Vancouver — heart attack at 50

What the Flynn Family Story Teaches Us

A marine-biologist father. A sister. Three marriages. Four children — including a son who disappeared in Cambodia at 29. A career that combined swashbuckling stardom with rape-trial scandal.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Flynn story carries the same lesson. Some careers cross Tasmania to Robin Hood — and their sons disappear covering wars.

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