Joe Flynn (American actor)

American actor (1924–1974)

Joseph Anthony Flynn III (November 8, 1924 – July 19, 1974) was an American actor. He was known for playing Captain Wallace Binghamton in the 1960s ABC television situation comedy McHale's Navy. Flynn was also a frequent guest star on 1960s TV shows, such as Batman, and appeared in several Walt Disney film comedies.

Flynn had an interest in theater before leaving northeastern Ohio. He established himself early as a ventriloquist and radio disc jockey. He gained local celebrity as a director by guiding the Canfield Players in such productions as Harvey, Antigone and Pursuit of Happiness. He broke into television in pre network days in Los Angeles. In 1948, he starred in his own local situation comedy, Yer Old Buddy, He guest starred on Walter Brennan's ABC sitcom The Real McCoys, Tab Hunter′s NBC sitcom The Tab Hunter Show and on the syndicated western Pony Express.

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. Flynn is interred in Culver City's Holy Cross Cemetery. 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.