Jimmy Finlayson

James Henderson Finlayson (27 August 1887 – 9 October 1953) was a Scottish actor who worked in both silent and sound comedies. Balding, with a fake moustache, —a truncated version of his surname, as author John McCabe also noted in his 1961 biography Mr. Laurel & Mr. Hardy.

Early life and stage career

Born in Larbert, Stirlingshire, Scotland to Alexander and Isabella (née Henderson) Finlayson, James worked as a tinsmith before pursuing an acting career. As part of John Clyde's company, he played Jamie Ratcliffe in Jeanie Deans at the Theatre Royal in Edinburgh in 1910.

The following year (1911), with both parents deceased, he emigrated at age 24 to the United States, along with his brother, Robert. In May 1912 in New York City, he played a detective disguised as a teuchter (person originating from the Scottish West Highlands or Western Isles) in the stage production The Great Game at Daly's Theatre: A reviewer in the Daily Mirror wrote: "Finlayson had an excellent opportunity, which he did not miss, for developing two characters in his one role—the simple, naive Scotsman and the artful, determined detective. The remarkable thing is that he managed to do them both at the same time."

Finlayson later won the role of Rab Biggar in the Broadway production of Bunty Pulls the Strings by Graham Moffat, and appeared in numerous Sennett comedies, including with the Keystone Cops.

The promotional newspaper article for the 1920 premiere of Sennett's Down on the Farm refers to Finlayson as "legitimate and screen player of international celebrity", and of his performance says: "The villain in the case—a sort of cross between a Turkish Don Juan and a 'loan shark'—is played with rare power and comic results of seriousness by James Finlayson".

Finlayson sent to Scotland for his close friend Andy Clyde, urging him to join him at the Sennett studio. Clyde arrived in 1922 and became a Sennett fixture as a versatile character actor. Finlayson, however, did not establish himself as star material, and left Sennett's employ later that year.

Hal Roach Studios Finlayson was hired almost immediately by Sennett's rival, Hal Roach, who gave him supporting roles in his studio's Snub Pollard and Stan Laurel comedies. With Roach's biggest short-subject star Harold Lloyd moving on to features, Roach tried to start new series with Charley Chase (successfully) and Finlayson (unsuccessfully). The next step came in 1927 when Roach's All-Star Comedy series gave Finlayson equal billing with up-and-coming co-stars Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, comedian Edna Marion, and others; some studio publicity even referred to Finlayson, Hardy, and Laurel as a "famous comedy trio." But Roach staff producer and future Academy Award director Leo McCarey recognized the great potential of a Laurel-and-Hardy pairing and began developing their characters and expanding their roles. By the autumn of 1928, Laurel and Hardy had their own starring series while the All-Star Comedy series soldiered on with other comedians. Nonetheless, Finlayson was still "considered by many to be an indispensable part of the Laurel & Hardy team."

Altogether, Finlayson had roles in 33 Laurel and Hardy films, usually as a villain or an antagonist, in such films as Big Business (1929) and Way Out West (1937). He also starred alongside Laurel in 19 films, and Hardy in five, before Laurel and Hardy were teamed. He appeared in dozens of Roach films with Charley Chase, Glenn Tryon, Snub Pollard and Ben Turpin, and in several Our Gang shorts, including Mush and Milk, in which he and Spanky McFarland match wits in a comically adversarial phone conversation.

Finlayson later played uncredited bit parts in films such as Foreign Correspondent (1940), To Be or Not to Be (1942), and Royal Wedding (1951). He was often called on for silent-comedy reunions like Hollywood Cavalcade (1939) and The Perils of Pauline (1947).

Personal life and death Finlayson married Emily Cora Gilbert, an American citizen from Iowa, in 1919 and became a US citizen in 1942.

English actress Stephanie Insall and Finlayson regularly took breakfast together. However, on the morning of 9 October 1953, Finlayson did not turn up at the usual time. Knowing he had recently been ill from flu, she went to his home where she discovered his body; he had died of a heart attack the night before. He was 66 years old.

Legacy One of Finlayson's trademarks was a comic drawn-out "Dohhhhhhh!" response to frustration or insult. He had used the term as a minced oath to stand in for the word "damn", unacceptable at the time. A half-century later, it inspired Dan Castellaneta, the voice actor of Homer Simpson. During the voice recording session for a Tracey Ullman Show short, Castellaneta was required to utter what was written in the script as an "annoyed grunt". He rendered it as a drawn out "Dohhhhhhh!" Matt Groening felt it would better suit the timing of animation if it were spoken faster, so Castellaneta shortened it to a quickly uttered "D'oh!"

Accolades In 1996, as part its celebrations of a century of cinema in Scotland, the Scottish Film Council presented a plaque commemorating James to Falkirk Council. It reads: "James (Jimmie) Finlayson. Outstanding comic screen actor. The foil to Laurel and Hardy in many films. Born in Larbert in 1887".

In 2011 "Jimmy Finlayson" was incorporated into the Catchphrases section of the Comedy Carpet mosaic beside Blackpool Tower along with a "D'OH!" embossed star.

In 2019, Finlayson was ranked number 39 in a list of Scotland's funniest 60 people compiled by The Herald in a feature trailing the Glasgow International Comedy Festival.

In 2025, James was honoured in his home town of Larbert when a portrait of him by local artist Connor Draycott was unveiled at the Dobbie Hall. The Scottish Film Council plaque from 1996 was also relocated there.

Portrayals Finlayson is one of the many entertainers portrayed by English actor Timothy Spall in the 2018 film Stanley: a Man of Variety.

In the 2018 Laurel and Hardy biopic Stan & Ollie, Finlayson is portrayed on the set of Way Out West by Scottish actor Keith MacPherson.

Sons of the Desert Tent An international "tent" (chapter) of the Sons of the Desert fraternity was formed in Glasgow in 2019 by and for relatives of Finlayson, and named Our Relations after the Laurel and Hardy film in which Finlayson co-starred.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1920 Down on the Farm The Sportive Banker with Mortgage produced by Mack Sennett Married Life Man Who Made Good Love, Honor and Behave Artist 1921 A Small Town Idol J. Wellington Jones Mack Sennett Comedies; with Ben Turpin Home Talent Stranded Actor 1922 The Crossroads of New York Lawyer 1923 The Noon Whistle O'Hallahan, the foreman Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel White Wings Dental patient Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel Pick and Shovel The foreman Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel Oranges and Lemons Worker Short, Uncredited, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel Hollywood Himself Paramount Pictures A Man About Town Humko, store detective Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel Roughest Africa Lt. Hans Downe (Little Boss) Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel Frozen Hearts General Sappovitch Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel The Whole Truth Defense lawyer Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel The Soilers Smacknamara Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel Scorching Sands James Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel Mother's Joy Baron Buttontop Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel 1924 Smithy Sergeant Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel Postage Due Postal inspector Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel Zeb vs. Paprika Trainer Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel Brothers Under the Chin Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel Wide Open Spaces Jack McQueen Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel Rupert of Hee Haw Rupert of Hee Haw Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel Our Congressman Dinner Party Guest Short, Uncredited, Hal Roach Studios Short Kilts McGregor's son Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel Near Dublin Brick merchant Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Stan Laurel 1925 The Haunted Honeymoon Short, Hal Roach Studios Innocent Husbands The Desk Clerk Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Charley Chase Welcome Home Minor Role Yes, Yes, Nanette Hillory, the new husband Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Oliver Hardy 1926 Madame Mystery Struggling author Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Theda Bara Dizzy Daddies Jonathan Haig Short, Hal Roach Studios Wife Tamers Waiter Short, Hal Roach Studios. with Lionel Barrymore and Gertrude Astor Ukulele Sheiks Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Glenn Tryon and Vivien Oakland Thundering Fleas Justice of the Peace Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Oliver Hardy and Charley Chase Raggedy Rose Simpson Sniffle Hal Roach Studios; with Mabel Normand 1927 Seeing the World James Finlayson, teacher Short, Hal Roach Studios; Our Gang series One Hour Married Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Mabel Normand The Honorable Mr. Buggs Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Oliver Hardy The Second Hundred Years Gov. Browne Van Dyke Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy No Man's Law Jack Belcher Hal Roach Studios; with Oliver Hardy Love 'em and Weep Titus Tilbury Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy With Love and Hisses Captain Bustle Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy Do Detectives Think? Judge Foozle Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy 1928 Bachelor's Paradise Pat Malone Tiffany Pictures Ladies' Night in a Turkish Bath Pa Slocum First National Pictures Lady Be Good Trelawney West First National Pictures Show Girl Mr. Dugan First National Pictures 1929 Liberty Store Keeper Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy Big Business Homeowner Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy Two Weeks Off Pa Weaver Hard to Get Pa Martin First National Pictures Wall Street Andy 1930 Night Owls Meadows, the butler Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy Young Eagles Scotty The Dawn Patrol Field Sergeant For the Defense Parrott El príncipe del dólar Chercheuses d'or Feet First Painter Uncredited Another Fine Mess Colonel Buckshot Short, Uncredited, Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy 1931 Chickens Come Home Butler Short, Uncredited, Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy Politiquerías Criado Our Wife Father of Dulce Short, Uncredited, Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy Pardon Us Teacher Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy One Good Turn A Community Player Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy Hasty Marriage Kitty's Father Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Charley Chase 1932 Thunder Below Scotty Pack Up Your Troubles The General Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy Zwei Ritter ohne Furcht und Tadel 1 Short 1933 Me and My Pal Peter Cucumber Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy His Silent Racket Himself Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Charley Chase Fra Diavolo Lord Rocberg Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy Mush and Milk Mr. Brown, the banker Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Our Gang1934 Trouble in Store The Watchman (leading role) (U.K Comedy Short), Warner Brothers The Girl in Possession Minor Role Uncredited Oh No Doctor! Axminster Dick Turpin Jeremy Nine Forty-Five Police Constable Doyle What Happened to Harkness? Police Constable Gallun Father and Son Bildad Big Business Police Constable 1935 Thicker Than Water Mr. Finlayson Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy Handle with Care Jimmy Who's Your Father Uncredited Bonnie Scotland Sergeant Major Finlayson Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy Manhattan Monkey Business Joyce's Father Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Charley Chase Life Hesitates at 40 Dr. Finlayson Short, Hal Roach Studios; with Charley Chase 1936 The Bohemian Girl Finn, Captain of the Guard Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy Our Relations Finn, Chief Engineer Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy 1937 Way Out West Mickey Finn Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy Pick a Star Director Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer The Toast of New York Trick-Hat Inventor Uncredited All Over Town MacDougal This Way Please Policeman Uncredited Angel Barker's Second Butler Uncredited Wise Girl Jailer Uncredited, RKO Radio 1938 Block-Heads Finn - Man on Stairs Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy Carefree Man on golf course Uncredited, RKO Pictures; with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers 1939 Hollywood Cavalcade Himself 20th Century Fox The Flying Deuces Jailer RKO Pictures; with Laurel and Hardy Raffles Hansom Cab Driver Uncredited, United Artists The Great Victor Herbert Lamplighter A Chump at Oxford Baldy Vandevere Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy 1940 Saps at Sea Dr J.H. Finlayson Hal Roach Studios; with Laurel and Hardy Foreign Correspondent Dutch Peasant Uncredited, United Artists 1941 Nice Girl? Loafer at Train Station Uncredited One Night in Lisbon Air Raid Warden Uncredited New Wine Minor Role Uncredited 1942 To Be or Not to Be Scottish Farmer Uncredited, United Artists Yanks Ahoy Cook Flynn Uncredited 1946 Two Sisters from Boston Street Cleaner Uncredited She-Wolf of London Constable With Hobbs and Latham Uncredited Till the Clouds Roll By Candy Vendor Uncredited 1947 Thunder in the Valley Court Judge Uncredited The Perils of Pauline Comic Chef Paramount Pictures 1948 Julia Misbehaves Bill Collector Uncredited, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Grand Canyon Trail Sheriff Hills of Home Minor Role Uncredited 1949 Challenge to Lassie Newspaper Reporter Uncredited, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 1951 Here Comes the Groom Drunken Sailor / Wedding Guest Uncredited, Paramount Pictures Royal Wedding Cabby Uncredited, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer