Errol Flynn was a classic motion-picture actor who, on stage and off, was known as a romantic adventurer. Given to making up stories about himself, he is known to have claimed either Antrim, Ireland or Tasmania as his birthplace. The son of a biologist, Flynn did spend his youth in New Guinea prospecting for gold, sailing his own schooner, and sending off a regular column to the Sydney Bulletin. He went to Hollywood in 1935 where, as a last minute stand-in for Robert Donat, he achieved instant stardom in Captain Blood. There followed many swashbuckling roles to which he contributed his athletic grace and extraordinary good looks: The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936), The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939), Dodge City (1939), The Sea Hawk (1940), They Died with Their Boots On (1941), and Gentleman Jim (1942). Flynn's tremendous popularity suffered when he was tried for statutory rape in 1942 (and acquitted). After a number of ill-chosen roles, his reputation as an actor was restored by The Sun Also Rises (1957), The Roots of Heaven (1958), and Too Much Too Soon (1958). He completed an autobiography, My Wicked, Wicked Ways, shortly before his death.

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