Boris Karloff
Boris Karloff (
November 23,
1887 -
February 2,
1969), born
William Henry Pratt, was a famous actor in horror films. Born in
London and educated at London University, Karloff's first goal in life was to become a diplomat, but instead he fell into acting. In
1908, he travelled to Canada and the USA, changing his name to something more in keeping with his new vocation. He made several silent films, before appearing as the Monster in
Frankenstein,
1931. From then on, Karloff was in dozens of films, many of them sub-par
horror flicks. He is also well known for providing the voice to the cartoon version of
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (
1965).
He departed from the horror genre only a few times, once in the 1934 film, The Lost Patrol, and a few times on stage - for example, as Captain Hook in Peter Pan (1951). In the 1968 film, Targets, he parodied his earlier career.
He was a cousin of Quentin Crisp.
After battling emphysema for a number of years, Boris Karloff died from its complications at his home in Midhurst, Sussex, England on February 2, 1969 at the age of 81. He was interred in the Mount Cemetery in Guildford, Surrey, England.
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