Boris Karloff
William Henry Pratt (23 November 1887 – 2 February 1969), better known by his stage name Boris Karloff (), was an English actor, who starred as Frankenstein's monster in the horror film Frankenstein (1931), which established him as a horror icon. He reprised the role in Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and Son of Frankenstein (1939). Karloff also appeared as Imhotep in The Mummy (1932), and voiced the Grinch, as well as narrated the animated television special of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966), which won him a Grammy Award.
You can find people similar to Boris Karloff by visiting our lists Hollywood Walk of Fame and RKO Pictures contract players.
| Full name at birth | William Henry Pratt
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| Claim to fame | Frankenstein
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| Date of birth | 23 November 1887
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| Place of birth | East Dulwich, London, England, UK
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| Date of death | 2 February 1969
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| Age | 81 (age at death)
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| Place of death | Midhurst, Sussex, England, UK
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| Cause of death | Emphysema
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| Occupation | Radio and Screen Actor, Voice Artist
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PERSONAL DETAILS
| Height | 5' 11" (180 cm)
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| Pets | Raised rare Bedlington Terriers
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ADDITIONAL DETAILS
| Net worth | $20,000,000 USD
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| High school | Merchant Taylors' School
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| University | King's College London
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![Christopher Lee - Yours Retro Magazine Pictorial [United Kingdom] (February 2025)](http://img3.bdbphotos.com/images/130x130/f/z/fz6qnncovm71noz7.jpg?skj2io4l)
![Christopher Lee - Yours Retro Magazine Pictorial [United Kingdom] (February 2025)](http://img3.bdbphotos.com/images/130x130/j/g/jg962llsdrvilid.jpg?skj2io4l)
![Christopher Lee - Yours Retro Magazine Pictorial [United Kingdom] (February 2025)](http://img3.bdbphotos.com/images/130x130/8/3/83jy1lc3g7zf3z13.jpg?skj2io4l)
- For his contribution to film and television, Boris Karloff was awarded two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 1737 Vine Street (for motion pictures) and 6664 Hollywood Boulevard (for television)
- He was cremated, following a requested low-key service, at Guildford Crematorium, Godalming, Surrey, where he is commemorated by a plaque in the Garden of Remembrance. A memorial service was held at St Paul`s, Covent Garden (The Actors` Church), London, where there is also a plaque.
- In contrast to the sinister characters he played on screen, Karloff was known in real life as a very kind gentleman who gave generously, especially to children`s charities. Beginning in 1940, Karloff dressed up as Santa Claus every Christmas to hand out presents to physically disabled children in a Baltimore hospital.
- Eliza Julia Edwards, married Edward John Pratt, a 38-year-old Anglo-Indian civil servant who had served in the Indian Navy. Eliza and Edward had a son, Edward John Pratt, Jr., who in 1887, with his wife, Eliza Sarah Millard, had a son named William Henry Pratt, who later became known as Boris Karloff. Because Pratt Sr. was an Anglo-Indian, Anna never approved of Eliza`s marriage, and her disconnection from the family was so complete that decades later, when a Pratt relative contacted her, she replied threatening suicide if he persisted.
- He is commemorated by a plaque inside St.Paul's Church (The Actors' Church), Covent Garden, London.
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