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Boris Karloff Biography

orig. William Henry Pratt

(1887 - 1969)

Related Works

Films
1931 The Criminal Code
1931 Frankenstein

1932 The Old Dark House
1932 The Mummy
1932 The Mask of Fu Manchu
1934 The Lost Patrol
1935 The Raven
1935 Bride of Frankenstein
1939 Son of Frankenstein
1945 The Bodysnatchers
1946 Bedlam
1947 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
1948 Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff
1953 Abbott and Costello Meet Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
1958 Frankenstein '70
1967 Targets

» More

Film star Boris Karloff was born William Henry Pratt in London, UK, on November 23, 1887. He studied at London University, then went to Canada and the USA, aiming become a diplomat like his father, and became involved in acting.

Karloff spent 10 years in repertory companies, went to Hollywood, appearing in forty five silent films for Universal Studios, among them The Last of the Mohicans, Forbidden Cargo and an installment in the popular Tarzan series.

When Bela Lugosi refused to take a role in which he would have his face hidden by makeup and have no lines, the role of The Monster in 1931’s Frankenstein went to Karloff.

Apart from a notable performance in a World War I story, The Lost Patrol (1934), his career was mostly spent in popular horror films. His performances frequently transcended the crudity of the genre, bringing, as in Frankenstein, a depth and pathos to the characterization.

He is also well known for providing the voice to the 1966 cartoon version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Karloff was known within the film industry for his great kindness and gentleness of manner; he was also central to the foundation of the Screen Actors Guild.

After battling emphysema for a number of years, Boris Karloff died at his home in England on February 2, 1969.