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Boris Karloff
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Boris Karloff

Boris Karloff, born William Henry Pratt, (1887-1969) 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.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2003.

Boris Karloff Facts

Birth NameWilliam Henry Pratt
OccupationActor
BirthdayNovember 23, 1887
SignSagittarius
BirthplaceLondon, United Kingdom
Date of deathFebruary 2, 1969 (age 81)
Height5' 11" (1m80)  How tall is Boris Karloff compared to you?

Selected Filmography

Not available.