Errol Flynn was born to Marrelle Young, a free-spirited adventuress, and Theodore Flynn, a respected biologist. As a rambunctious child, Errol consistently found himself in trouble, earning himself the reputation of being a handful. His behavior was so troublesome that he was eventually ejected from every school he attended.
In his late teens, Errol set out to find his fortune, but instead, he found himself stuck in a series of short-lived odd jobs. He worked as a police constable, sanitation engineer, treasure hunter, sheep castrator, ship-master for hire, fisherman, and soldier, often having to flee from the law and jealous husbands to avoid trouble.
Despite his tumultuous early life, Errol eventually found his calling in acting. He took up the craft in England, where he was cast in the film "In the Wake of the Bounty" (1933) as Fletcher Christian. His natural athleticism and good looks caught the attention of Warner Brothers, and he soon found himself in America, replacing Robert Donat in the title role of "Captain Blood" (1935).
Errol's charm and charisma on screen catapulted him to stardom, earning him the title of the undisputed king of adventure films. He became known for his roles as the freedom-loving rebel, a man of action who fought against injustice and won the hearts of damsels in the process.
Off-screen, Errol's passions included drinking, fighting, boating, and sex, which often made his film escapades seem tame in comparison. His love life was also the subject of much attention, with three statutory rape trials and a lasting phrase "In like Flynn" becoming synonymous with his name.
Despite his on-screen success, Errol struggled with serious roles and as his lifestyle took its toll on his youthful good looks, his career began to decline. He faced numerous lawsuits and financial troubles, including issues with the IRS, which further eroded his already limited savings.
However, towards the end of his life, Errol did manage to secure a few good roles, often playing the part of an aging alcoholic, which seemed to be a reflection of his own life. Despite his flaws, Errol Flynn was making a name for himself as a serious actor before his untimely death.
