Errol Flynn’s biographer calls him the greatest heartthrob of his time – but racist and a rapist too

Damita Flynn/Los Angeles Times/Wikipedia, CC BY

Before Rupert Murdoch, there was Errol Flynn. The Tasmanian born Hollywood actor was arguably our most famous export to the United States until Murdoch moved in to control much of its media.

Between 1934 and his final film in 1959, Flynn was one of the stars of the “golden age” of Hollywood, known for his swashbuckling roles in films such as The Adventures of Robin Hood and Captain Blood.