as previously posted on Sweepea’s Lounge

A 6-foot, 2-inch tall Tasmanian devil of the new sound pictures in Hollywood, Flynn’s reputation as a troublemaker and a ladies’ man was well-earned. His roles in “Adventures of Robin Hood,” “Captain Blood,” and “Don Juan” quickly promoted his status as the Hollywood romeo.

He liked all the best things in life: sex, drinking, sex, boating, sex, fighting, and more sex. Oh yeah, and did we mention sex? When banned from drinking on a film set, Flynn injected oranges with vodka and would eat them during his breaks.

So publicized were his exploits that his off-screen life riveted fans more than his roles on-screen. Most notoriously, he was charged with statutory rape in 1942 but was acquitted — and the press coined the phrase “in like Flynn”.  The incident did not tarnish his career; in fact, it served to increase his reputation as a ladies’ man.

After America entered World War II, Flynn was often accused of dodging the draft, although he continually played war heroes in films. Flynn, in fact, had attempted to join every branch of the armed services, but was rejected for health reasons.  Not only did he have an enlarged heart, which had already resulted in at least one heart attack, but he also suffered from tuberculosis, a troubling back (for which he self-medicated with morphine and later, with heroin), and recurrent bouts of malaria from his visits to New Guinea.  The studio did not want the press to report of his health problems, fearing the news would harm his heroic credibility.  The lack of addressing the issue made many film-goers continue to question Flynn’s loyalty to the United States.

By the 1950s, Flynn had become, unfortunately, a parody of himself.  Heavy alcohol and drug abuse made his appearance overly-aged and bloated, and roles began to diminish.

Yet besides acting, Flynn found another niche in writing, composing some poetry and prose, as well as penning his autobiography. He died from a heart attack in 1959 during a yachting trip.  After his death many allegations surfaced: that he was bisexual, had underage relationships, and that he was a communist sympathizer.  None of the claims have been proven.