Boris Karloff Biography

Born William Henry Pratt on 23 November 1887, the son of a diplomat, he was educated at London University. Karloff's initial goal in life was to become a diplomat like his father.

But in 1909, Karloff, then 21, and still known as William Pratt, eloped with Grace Harding, the first of his six wives, and left England for Canada.

After working as a labourer, he joined a series of touring theatre companies, where he became known as a skilled character actor, often donning heavy makeup and playing men many years older. At this time he changed his name to something more in keeping with his new vocation.

Within eight years, Karloff had appeared in 45 silent films for Universal Studios, among them 'The Last of the Mohicans', 'Forbidden Cargo' and an installment in the popular 'Tarzan' (1927) series. He supplemented his income by driving a truck in Los Angeles.

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 'Frankenstein' (1931) went to Boris Karloff. From then on, Karloff was in dozens of similar films.

Karloff appeared in four films in 1932 including 'Scarface', the black comedy 'The Old Dark House', 'The Mask of Fu Manchu' and he also starred as the undead Im-Ho-Tep in 'The Mummy' - all sinister roles that helped cement his reputation as a horror actor in the same guise as Vincent Price.

He donned the signature make up, boots and neck bolts to play the monster once again in the popular 'Bride of Frankenstein' (1935) and the less successful 'Son of Frankenstein' in 1939.

By this time, he had been married to his fifth wife Dorothy Stine for nine years. They had a daughter called Sara Karloff before divorcing in 1946.

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'. In the 1968 film, 'Targets', he parodied his earlier career.

During the 1940s he starred in 'The Ape', 'The House of Frankenstein' in which he played the scientist, and 'The Body Snatcher'.

After a quiet 1950s spent appearing in TV shows such as 'Tales of Tomorrow' and 'The Veil', Karloff enjoyed a career revival in the 1960s, kicking-off in 1960 when he started to present the TV anthology series 'Thriller'. He also contributed wonderful performances in the films 'The Raven' and 'The Terror' in 1963 and 'Monster of Terror' in 1965.

He is also well known for providing the voice to the 1965 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. He also gave generously to children's charities and even dressed up as Santa Claus every Christmas (starting 1940) to give presents to physically handicapped children at a Baltimore hospital.

After battling emphysema for a number of years, Karloff died at his home in England in February 1969. He was cremated after a requested low-key ceremony. A memorial service was also held at St Paul's in Covent Garden, London, at which there is also a plaque.

Since his death, Karloff has been awarded two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for motion pictures and television respectively.