Adorable Story #101: Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
The Dashing Life of Hollywood Royalty
“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.
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.
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.