James Henderson "Jimmy" Finlayson, a celebrated Scottish actor, enjoyed a long and distinguished career in both silent and sound comedies. His striking physical appearance, which included a bald head, was often complemented by a convincing fake moustache, adding to his comedic charm. Finlayson's impressive repertoire of comic mannerisms became a hallmark of his performances, and audiences adored his squinting, outraged reactions, which frequently culminated in his signature "double take and fade away" head gesture. Additionally, his characteristic expression "d'ooooooh" became an integral part of his comedic arsenal, further solidifying his status as a master of comedic timing and delivery.
Personal Details
BornAug 26, 1887 Larbert, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland, UK
Biography
Career
{"id":166587,"title":"The Further Perils of Laurel and Hardy","year":"1967","character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-further-perils-of-laurel-and-hardy","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_166587.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_166587.jpg"},"released":1}
1967
{"id":167041,"title":"Laurel and Hardy's Laughing 20's","year":"1965","character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/laurel-and-hardys-laughing-20s-1965","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_167041.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_167041.jpg"},"released":1}
1965
{"id":168093,"title":"The Big Parade of Comedy","year":"1964","character":"Sergeant Major Finlayson in 'Bonnie Scotland' (archive footage)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-big-parade-of-comedy","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_168093.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_168093.jpg"},"released":1}
1964

The Big Parade of Comedy as Sergeant Major Finlayson in 'Bonnie Scotland' (archive footage)
{"id":22329,"title":"Royal Wedding","year":"1951","character":"Cabby (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/royal-wedding","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5u37125e9b90.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5u37125e9b90.jpg"},"released":1}
1951

Royal Wedding as Cabby (uncredited)
{"id":198641,"title":"Down Memory Lane","year":"1949","character":"Target instructor","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/down-memory-lane","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_198641.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_198641.jpg"},"released":1}
1949

Down Memory Lane as Target instructor
{"id":69346,"title":"Grand Canyon Trail","year":"1948","character":"Sheriff","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/grand-canyon-trail","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69346.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69346.jpg"},"released":1}
1948

Grand Canyon Trail as Sheriff
{"id":174866,"title":"The Perils of Pauline","year":"1947","character":"Comic Chef","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-perils-of-pauline-1947","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_174866.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_174866.jpg"},"released":1}
1947

The Perils of Pauline as Comic Chef
{"id":70070,"title":"Two Sisters from Boston","year":"1946","character":"Street Cleaner (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/two-sisters-from-boston","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_70070.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_70070.jpg"},"released":1}
1946

Two Sisters from Boston as Street Cleaner (uncredited)
{"id":14704,"title":"She-Wolf of London","year":"1946","character":"Constable (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/she-wolf-of-london","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1hj8gnr7fm70.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1hj8gnr7fm70.jpg"},"released":1}

She-Wolf of London as Constable (uncredited)
{"id":13698,"title":"To Be or Not to Be","year":"1942","character":"Scottish Farmer with Mustache (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/to-be-or-not-to-be-1942","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/699mdf69ol50.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/699mdf69ol50.jpg"},"released":1}
1942

To Be or Not to Be as Scottish Farmer with Mustache (uncredited)
{"id":95028,"title":"Saps at Sea","year":"1940","character":"Dr. J.H. Finlayson (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/saps-at-sea","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_95028.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_95028.jpg"},"released":1}
1940

Saps at Sea as Dr. J.H. Finlayson (uncredited)
{"id":12102,"title":"Foreign Correspondent","year":"1940","character":"Dutch Peasant (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/foreign-correspondent","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/26t9qmlr1nr0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/26t9qmlr1nr0.jpg"},"released":1}

Foreign Correspondent as Dutch Peasant (uncredited)
{"id":23121,"title":"The Flying Deuces","year":"1939","character":"Jailor","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-flying-deuces","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/47ic79n56pe0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/47ic79n56pe0.jpg"},"released":1}
1939

The Flying Deuces as Jailor
{"id":72398,"title":"Raffles","year":"1939","character":"Hansom Cab Driver","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/raffles","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72398.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72398.jpg"},"released":1}

Raffles as Hansom Cab Driver
{"id":70530,"title":"Hollywood Cavalcade","year":"1939","character":"Keystone Cop","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hollywood-cavalcade","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_70530.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_70530.jpg"},"released":1}

Hollywood Cavalcade as Keystone Cop
{"id":68680,"title":"A Chump at Oxford","year":"1939","character":"Baldy Vandevere (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-chump-at-oxford","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_68680.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_68680.jpg"},"released":1}

A Chump at Oxford as Baldy Vandevere (uncredited)
{"id":70247,"title":"Block-Heads","year":"1938","character":"Man on Stairs","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/block-heads","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/f82o89g0is40.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/f82o89g0is40.jpg"},"released":1}
1938

Block-Heads as Man on Stairs
{"id":32606,"title":"Way Out West","year":"1937","character":"Mickey Finn","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/way-out-west","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/idng8aovmao0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/idng8aovmao0.jpg"},"released":1}
1937

Way Out West as Mickey Finn
{"id":73013,"title":"All Over Town","year":"1937","character":"MacDougal","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/all-over-town","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73013.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73013.jpg"},"released":1}

All Over Town as MacDougal
{"id":95282,"title":"Angel","year":"1937","character":"Barker's 2nd Butler (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/angel-1937","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_95282.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_95282.jpg"},"released":1}

Angel as Barker's 2nd Butler (uncredited)
{"id":73034,"title":"The Toast of New York","year":"1937","character":"Trick-Hat Inventor (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-toast-of-new-york","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73034.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73034.jpg"},"released":1}

The Toast of New York as Trick-Hat Inventor (uncredited)
{"id":72933,"title":"Pick a Star","year":"1937","character":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/pick-a-star","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72933.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72933.jpg"},"released":1}

Pick a Star as Director
{"id":73425,"title":"The Bohemian Girl","year":"1936","character":"Captain Finn","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-bohemian-girl","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73425.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73425.jpg"},"released":1}
1936

The Bohemian Girl as Captain Finn
{"id":73312,"title":"Bonnie Scotland","year":"1935","character":"Sgt. Maj. Finlayson","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/bonnie-scotland","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73312.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73312.jpg"},"released":1}
1935

Bonnie Scotland as Sgt. Maj. Finlayson
{"id":73778,"title":"Thicker Than Water","year":"1935","character":"Auction Manager","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/thicker-than-water-1935","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73778.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73778.jpg"},"released":1}

Thicker Than Water as Auction Manager
{"id":73919,"title":"Dandy Dick","year":"1935","character":"(Unknown - part cut)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/dandy-dick","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73919.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73919.jpg"},"released":1}

Dandy Dick as (Unknown - part cut)
{"id":74680,"title":"The Devil's Brother","year":"1933","character":"Lord Rocburg","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-devils-brother-1933","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_74680.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_74680.jpg"},"released":1}
1933

The Devil's Brother as Lord Rocburg
{"id":74539,"title":"Me and My Pal","year":"1933","character":"Peter Cucumber","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/me-and-my-pal","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_74539.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_74539.jpg"},"released":1}

Me and My Pal as Peter Cucumber
{"id":74877,"title":"The Chimp","year":"1932","character":"Ringmaster","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-chimp","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_74877.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_74877.jpg"},"released":1}
1932

The Chimp as Ringmaster
{"id":74174,"title":"Pack Up Your Troubles","year":"1932","character":"General","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/pack-up-your-troubles-1932","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_74174.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_74174.jpg"},"released":1}

Pack Up Your Troubles as General
{"id":30634,"title":"Chickens Come Home","year":"1931","character":"Butler","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/chickens-come-home","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_30634.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_30634.jpg"},"released":1}
1931

Chickens Come Home as Butler
{"id":75333,"title":"One Good Turn","year":"1931","character":"A Community Player","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/one-good-turn","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_75333.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_75333.jpg"},"released":1}

One Good Turn as A Community Player
{"id":75226,"title":"Our Wife","year":"1931","character":"Father of the bride","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/our-wife-1931","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_75226.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_75226.jpg"},"released":1}

Our Wife as Father of the bride
{"id":166543,"title":"Pardon Us","year":"1931","character":"Schoolteacher","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/pardon-us","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3klkf0k0dikg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3klkf0k0dikg.jpg"},"released":1}

Pardon Us as Schoolteacher
{"id":95488,"title":"The Dawn Patrol","year":"1930","character":"Field Sergeant","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-dawn-patrol-1930","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_95488.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_95488.jpg"},"released":1}
1930

The Dawn Patrol as Field Sergeant
{"id":75625,"title":"Another Fine Mess","year":"1930","character":"Col. Wilburforce Buckshot (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/another-fine-mess","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_75625.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_75625.jpg"},"released":1}

Another Fine Mess as Col. Wilburforce Buckshot (uncredited)
{"id":75536,"title":"Night Owls","year":"1930","character":"Meadows","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/night-owls-1930","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_75536.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_75536.jpg"},"released":1}

Night Owls as Meadows
{"id":75612,"title":"For the Defense","year":"1930","character":"Parrott","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/for-the-defense","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_75612.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_75612.jpg"},"released":1}

For the Defense as Parrott
{"id":75904,"title":"Men O'War","year":"1929","character":"Soda jerk","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/men-owar-1929","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_75904.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_75904.jpg"},"released":1}
1929

Men O'War as Soda jerk
{"id":75780,"title":"Big Business","year":"1929","character":"Homeowner","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/big-business-1929","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_75780.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_75780.jpg"},"released":1}

Big Business as Homeowner
{"id":76019,"title":"Flying Elephants","year":"1928","character":"Saxophonus","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/flying-elephants","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_76019.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_76019.jpg"},"released":1}
1928

Flying Elephants as Saxophonus
{"id":76098,"title":"The Second 100 Years","year":"1927","character":"Browne Van Dyke","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-second-100-years","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_76098.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_76098.jpg"},"released":1}
1927

The Second 100 Years as Browne Van Dyke
{"id":76109,"title":"No Man's Law","year":"1927","character":"Jack Belcher","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/no-mans-law-1927","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_76109.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_76109.jpg"},"released":1}

No Man's Law as Jack Belcher
{"id":76191,"title":"Raggedy Rose","year":"1926","character":"Simpson Sniffle","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/raggedy-rose","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_76191.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_76191.jpg"},"released":1}
1926

Raggedy Rose as Simpson Sniffle
{"id":76242,"title":"Yes, Yes, Nanette","year":"1925","character":"Hillory, the new husband","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/yes-yes-nanette","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_76242.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_76242.jpg"},"released":1}
1925

Yes, Yes, Nanette as Hillory, the new husband
{"id":76358,"title":"The Soilers","year":"1923","character":"Smacknamara","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-soilers","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_76358.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_76358.jpg"},"released":1}
1923

The Soilers as Smacknamara