Joseph Anthony Flynn III (November 8, 1924 – July 19, 1974) was an American actor.[1] He was known for playing Captain Wallace Binghamton in the 1960s ABC television situation comedyMcHale's Navy.[2] Flynn was also a frequent guest star on 1960s TV shows, such as Batman, and appeared in several Walt Disney film comedies.[2]
Flynn had an interest in theater before leaving northeastern Ohio. He established himself early as a ventriloquist and radio disc jockey. Flynn gained local celebrity as a director by guiding the Canfield Players in such productions as Harvey, Antigone and Pursuit of Happiness.[citation needed]
He broke into television in pre-network days in Los Angeles. In 1948, he starred in his own local situation comedy, Yer Old Buddy,[3] produced and broadcast by pioneering television station KTLA.[citation needed]
After appearing in a number of stage plays, Flynn returned to Youngstown, where in 1950 he conducted an unsuccessful campaign for a seat in the Ohio Senate as a Republican.[3]
Following his electoral defeat, Flynn pursued his acting career and appeared in nearly 30 films, including many Disney films.[2] He later recalled watching an audience's reaction to his performance in the 1956 horror filmIndestructible Man starring Lon Chaney Jr. Although he played a serious part in the picture, people laughed, which convinced him that comedy was his forte.
From 1962 to 1966, Flynn played the irascible Captain Wallace "Wally" Burton Binghamton (also known as "Old Leadbottom") on ABC's McHale's Navy in all but one episode, in which he became known for his exasperated catch phrases "What is it, What, WHAT, WHAT!?", "What in the name of the Blue Pacific/Halsey/Nimitz" and "I could just scream!" He also starred in two 1964 theatrical films spun off from the series, McHale's Navy and McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force.[3]
In the spring of 1970, Flynn co-starred with Tim Conway, with whom he had worked in McHale's Navy and the two McHale's Navy films, in the situation comedy The Tim Conway Show as the inept operators of the single-plane charter airline Triple A Airlines. The unsuccessful show ran for only 12 episodes.
In 1955, Flynn married Shirley Haskin, the daughter of director Byron Haskin. They had two children.[citation needed]
Later career and death
Flynn co-starred with Tim Conway in The Tim Conway Show in 1970. Flynn played the role of the boss of a small airline and Conway played its pilot.
Throughout his life, Flynn maintained a strong connection to his hometown. From 1969 to 1974, he was involved in northeastern Ohio's Kenley Players. He often returned to Youngstown to visit family residing on Elm Street on the city's north side. In recognition of his contributions to the broadcasting field, Flynn became the ninth recipient of the Ohio Association of Broadcasters Award.[3]
On July 19, 1974, shortly after Flynn completed voice-over work as Mr. Snoops for Walt Disney's animated feature film, The Rescuers (released in 1977), his body was discovered by family members in the swimming pool of his Beverly Hills home. He apparently had a heart attack while swimming.[2][3][5][6] Flynn is interred in Culver City's Holy Cross Cemetery.[7] His June 13, 1974, taping of The Merv Griffin Show had been announced for broadcast on July 19, prior to Flynn's death the same day, proving to be his final appearance.[8]
_still_1.jpg)
