The one startling revelation about Errol Flynn, was that of his physical health. Filmgoers watched, what they were led to believe, an athletic and virile action man. Around Hollywood, Flynn was known on the tennis courts, swimming pools etc. The truth was quite different: from his days in New Guinea, the film star had contracted diseases like malaria and possibly tuberculosis. He also was developing heart problems, to the point where it was increasing in size. Nonetheless, Errol continued to cater to the fans expectations by performing athletic feats on-screen. Then one day, disaster struck.
Flynn was making a biopic called Gentleman Jim (1942). He was cast as real life boxer James J. Corbett and insisted on performing his own fight choreography. During the shooting of the climatic bout against Ward Bond, Flynn collapsed. He was diagnosed with having suffered a heart attack. In panic, Jack Warner ordered the incident forgotten and prepared a false statement. In effect, the statement read that Errol Flynn was being treated for a mild case of physical exhaustion. No one could have guessed that this alleged perfect specimen was a physical wreck.