Adorable Times’ Newsletter

Adorable Times’ Newsletter

Share this post

Adorable Times’ Newsletter
Adorable Times’ Newsletter
Adorable Story #101: Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

Adorable Story #101: Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

The Dashing Life of Hollywood Royalty

Alberto @ Adorable Times's avatar
Alberto @ Adorable Times
Feb 22, 2025
∙ Paid
1

Share this post

Adorable Times’ Newsletter
Adorable Times’ Newsletter
Adorable Story #101: Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Share

“I’ve often felt that I lived many lives in one. I’ve been an actor, a sailor, a diplomat, a writer, and a father. But through it all, I’ve just tried to be myself.”

— Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

1958: the actor Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in front of the Basilica di San Marco, Venice, Italy — Photo © Photo by Archivio Cameraphoto Epoche/Getty Images

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. led an extraordinary life, blending Hollywood glamour with real-world heroism and diplomacy.

Known for his elegance and charm, he became a symbol of Golden Age Hollywood sophistication, but his life extended far beyond the silver screen.


Table of Contents: Early Life and Education / Hollywood Beginnings / Rise to Stardom / World War II / Recognitions and Honors / Personal Life / Philanthropy / Later Years

If you aren’t subscribed yet, hit the subscribe button below to receive the Adorable Stories every weekend, directly in your inbox:


Early Life and Education

Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr. was born on December 9th, 1909, in New York City, to actor Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Anna Beth Sully.

His father was already a Hollywood legend, known as the “King of Hollywood” for his swashbuckling roles in films like The Mark of Zorro and Robin Hood.

His mother, Anna Beth, was the daughter of a wealthy industrialist.

After his parents divorced in 1919, Fairbanks Jr. lived with his mother in New York City and they resided in a comfortable apartment on Park Avenue.

Fairbanks Jr. attended the exclusive Hollywood School for Boys in Los Angeles after relocating to California together with his mother and stepfather. He later attended Harvard Military School, followed by studies at the Polytechnic School in Pasadena.

After he and his mother moved to France, Fairbanks attended Lycée Janson-de-Sailly in Paris.

Hollywood Beginnings

Despite his famous lineage, Fairbanks Jr. carved his own niche in Hollywood.

He made his acting debut at the age of just 13, in the silent film Stephen Steps Out (1923). While this film was not a success, he persevered and began to shine in the 1930s with roles in films like The Dawn Patrol (1930), Little Caesar (1931), and The Prisoner of Zenda (1937).

Rise to Stardom

Fairbanks Jr. then became a sought-after actor, known for his suave demeanor and versatility.

Charlie Chaplin once joked that Fairbanks Sr. “was the only man who could make tights look dignified.”

While he often played romantic or heroic roles, he also excelled in portraying morally complex characters.

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. starring in Gunga Din, 1939

One of Fairbanks most notable performances was in Gunga Din (1939), where he starred alongside Cary Grant and Victor McLaglen in an adventure epic that remains a classic of its genre.

Fairbanks then became good friends with Cary Grant, and the two would often compete in friendly games of tennis or engage in lighthearted banter even when not working together.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Adorable Times’ Newsletter to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Adorable Times
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share