That year he became an American citizen. The stage actor Claude Rains died at the age of 77. Claude found this ramp business a bit embarrassing and very funny. Claude Rains was one of my teachers at RADA. SANDWICH, N.H., May 30 (UPI) Claude Rains, the white-haired actor who rose from a $2-a-week page boy to become the first British stage and film star to earn $1-million for a single role, died of . It was not long before his talent garnered him acknowledgment as one of the leading stage actors on the London scene. William Claude Rains (10 November 1889 - 30 May 1967) was an English-born American stage and film actor whose career spanned 46 years. His mother took in boarders in order to support the family. After his American film debut as Dr. Jack Griffin in The Invisible Man (1933), he appeared in such highly regarded films as The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), The Wolf Man (1941), Casablanca and Kings Row (both 1942), Notorious (1946), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), and The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965). Claude Rains: An Actor's Voice, gives voice to the struggles and innermost concerns that influenced Rains's performances and helped him become a universally respected Hollywood legend. A chronic alcoholic, Rains died from cirrhosis of the liver. I found him enormously helpful and encouraging to work with. Some sources incorrectly list his birthplace as Camberwell, in the London borough of Southwark. Claude Rains (1889 - 1967) Contents 1 Film Deaths: 2 Television Deaths: 3 Notable Connections: 4 Gallery Film Deaths: The Invisible Man (1933) [ Jack Griffin ]: Shot by Dudley Digges while Claude is fleeing from a barn (while invisible); he dies in the hospital shortly afterwards while talking to Gloria Stuart. He also acted on television and continued to appear in films until 1965, when he played King Herod in The Greatest Story Ever Told. He stood at a mere 56, yet his enormous talent and immense stage presence made him a giant among his colleagues. William Claude Rains was born on 10 November 1889 at 26 Tregothnan Road in Clapham, London. [6][13] His agent, Harold Freedman, was a family friend of Carl Laemmle, who controlled Universal Pictures at the time, and had been acquainted with Rains in London and was keen to cast him in the role. Sub-edited by. Rains signed a long-term contract with Warner Bros. on 27 November 1935 with Warner able to exercise the right to loan him to other studios and Rains having a potential income of up to $750,000 over seven years. I'm so glad of that. By the end of the war, he had ascended from the position of a private to that of a captain. Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid. For the Heroes character, see Claude (Heroes). William Claude Rains was an English-born American stage and film actor whose career spanned 46 years. True to Universal's formula mentality, it cast him in similar roles through 1934 with some respite in more diverse film roles -- and further relieved by Broadway roles (1933, 1934) for the remainder of his contract. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Rains starred in multiple plays and productions over the course of his career, playing a variety of leading and supporting parts. Left $25,000 to the Actors Fund of America. He designed his own tombstone. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. He played Dr. Jack Griffin in The Invisible Man (1933). Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? He was known for many roles in Hollywood films among them the title role in The Invisible Man (1933) The Wolf Man (1941) corrupt kings and senators in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) Mr. Dryden in Lawrence of Arabia . During his early years, Rains taught at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Biography - A Short Wiki Four-time Oscar nominee who starred as Captain Louis Renault in Casablanca and as the title character in the 1933 film The Invisible Man. Among his many other notable pictures were The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), The Sea Hawk (1940), and Caesar and Cleopatra (1945), in which Rains was reportedly personally chosen by George Bernard Shaw to portray Caesar. The video is below. He was a Tony Award-winning actor and was a four-time nominee for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. on 17 August 2022. Claude Rains became a citizen of USA in the year 1939. With this in mind, Tree paid for the elocution books and lessons that Rains needed to help him change his voice. What are the physical state of oxygen at room temperature? He was often described as having come from impoverished working-class background in the East End of London. And that scornful right eyebrow which could freeze an adversary faster than and more effectively than any physical threat. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 1920) You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. He spent much of his time between film takes reading up on agricultural techniques to try when he got home. (Btw, in addition to being the son of Robert Morley, he is the grandson of Gladys Cooper). At the time of his death, he was -1967 years old. Publicity Listings After his American film debut as Dr. Jack Griffin in "The Invisible Man" (1933), he played in such classic films, as "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938), "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939), "The Wolf Man" (1941), "Casablanca" (1942), "Notorious" (1946) and "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962). Place of Birth Where was Claude Rains born? Rains's difficulties in his formative years provided reserves of gravitas . Try again later. Rains was almost blind in one eye because of an injury received in a gas attack during World War I. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/850/claude-rains. He could also throw out a high-pitched maniac laugh that would make you leave the lights on before going to bed. Claude Rains/Living or Deceased. His only singing and dancing role was in a 1957 television musical version of Robert Browning's The Pied Piper of Hamelin, with Van Johnson as the Piper. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro, 20th Century Icons Born in the 19th Century in the 22nd Century, Rosemary McGroarty Clark In 1951, the actor appeared as Rubashov in the stage production Darkness at Noon at Alvin Theatre/Royale Theatre. National Association of Educational Broadcasters, Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play, List of actors with Academy Award nominations, "Welcome to The London Scottish Regiment Website", "Roll of honour: 15 movie legends who served in the First World War", https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Wut4jYBtUdsC&pg=PA102, https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Wut4jYBtUdsC&pg=PA79, "Richard Chamberlain on Claude Rains -- (TCM Original) September, 2009", "Claude Rains' Scrapbook Devoted to His Farm, Stock - Lot #49362 - Heritage Auctions", "Thinking about Claude Rains and the pastoral Stock Grange Farm", "A Star's Last Act: The great Claude Rains spent his final years in New Hampshire", "Claude Rains "Captain Louis Renault" ivory military suit from Casablanca", Performances listed in Theatre Archive of the University of Bristol, Drama League's Distinguished Performance Award, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Claude_Rains&oldid=1140707785, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment officers, Naturalized citizens of the United States, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the ODNB, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Rosemary, Lola, and Priscilla Lane, Gale Page, John Garfield, Rosemary, Lola, and Priscilla Lane, Gale Page, NominationAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Stage debut, aged 10 as an "unbilled child extra "running around a fountain. 1920) Beatriz Thomas (m. 1924; div. Mr Rains story, beginning with his poor, lonely, friendless, cruel childhood, You will find yourself caught up in . The two shared the screen four times. (he died before he could write the book. He toured the United States in The Constant Nymph in 1926 and soon made a name for himself on Broadway. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Biography. Rains' first wife, Isabel Jeans played the role of Lady Elizabeth Mulhammer in the 1953 Edinburgh premiere. William Claude Rains, born in the Clapham area of London, was the son of the British stage actor Frederick Rains. Rains began acting at the age of 11 and worked at various backstage jobs before making his adult stage debut in 1911. It reads: "All things once/Are things forever,/Soul, once living,/lives forever.". 1. His parents were Emily Eliza (ne Cox) and the stage actor Frederick William Rains. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. The son of stage actor Frederick William Rains, Claude Rains spent most of his childhood in the slums of London alongside his siblings. [19] Rains followed it with Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious (1946) as a refugee Nazi agent opposite Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. Here are his movies: 1953 movie From Here to Eternity as Dhom. He made a triumphant Broadway return in 1951's "Darkness at Noon. William Claude Rains was born on 10 November 1889 in Camberwell, London. [16] He played the villainous role of Prince John in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938). Wellss The Invisible Man (1933), directed by James Whale. Find where to watch Claude Rains's latest movies and tv shows He was born in Clapham on 1889-11-10. He was known for many roles in Hollywood films, including the title role in The Invisible Man (1933), scientists, corrupt kings,and senators in The Wolf Man (1941), The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington . cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. When not working, Claude Rains preferred living a remote and quiet life with his family. And his mouth could take on both a forbidding scowl and the warmest of smiles in an instant. These talents were recognised by Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, the founder of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. William Claude Rains, known as Willie to his family, was born November 10, 1889 to Frederick and Emily Eliza Cox at 26 Tregothnan Road in Clapham, or, as he described it, ?the wrong side of the River Thames?. What was Claude Rains religion?. After divorcing her in 1960, he went on to marry Rosemary Clark Schrode; they stayed married until her death in 1964. He was a Tony Award recipient and a four-time Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting Actor. Rains portrayed Faulkland in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's The Rivals, presented at London's Lyric Theatre in 1925. Davis later went on to describe him: "Claude was witty, amusing and beautiful, really beautiful, thoroughly enchanting to be with and brilliant." He also made many notable television guest appearances in the 1950s and 1960s after his film roles decreased. Actor. [Tag: killing, leadership, power ] previous. He appeared in two Best Picture Academy Award winners: In his obituary, The New York Times claimed that Rains was the first British stage and film star to earn a million dollars for a single film. He spent much of his time between film takes reading up on agricultural techniques to try when he got home. Rains eventually shed his accent and speech impediment after practising every day. Born William Claude Rains in London, England, the son of British stage actor Frederick Rains, he made his stage debut at the age of eleven, and learned the technical end of the business working first as a page, then working up to stage manager. ", Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. In CBS's Rawhide, he portrayed Alexander Langford, an attorney in a ghost town, in the episode "Incident of Judgement Day" (1963). Director: Frank Capra. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. And finally he paused and said with a sheepish look "Alibi Ike, good old Alibi Ike" ("Alibi Ike" being an expression based on a 1935 film of the same name, in which the lead character has a penchant for making up excuses). He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6400 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960. Born William Claude Rains in London, England, the son of British stage actor Frederick Rains, he made his stage debut at the age of eleven, and learned the technical end of the business working first as a page, then working up to stage manager. His parents were Emily Eliza ( ne Cox) and the stage actor Frederick William Rains. His some 40 films during that period ranged from subtle comedy to psychological drama with a bit of horror revisited; many would be golden era classics. Bette Davis often cited Rains as one of her favorite actors and colleagues. We hope you enjoy it! Regarded as one of the greatest character actors of his time, he was best at playing cultured villains. He was greatly admired by his contemporaries Vincent Sherman, Albert Dekker, Ronald Neame and Bette Davis, all of whom eventually became close family friends. And the striking virtuosity that I witnessed as a young actor is now there for audiences everywhere to see for all time. He lacked inches and wore lifts to his shoes to increase his height. He returned to New York City in 1927 and appeared in nearly 20 Broadway roles, in plays which included George Bernard Shaw's The Apple Cart and dramatisations of The Constant Nymph and Pearl S. Buck's novel The Good Earth (as a Chinese farmer). Biography William Claude Rains, the first film actor to earn a million dollars for a part, was born on November 10, 1889, in London, England, to Frederick and Emily Eliza Cox Rains and was referred to by his family as "Willie." Rains had a unique and solid British voice-deep, slightly rasping -- but richly dynamic. During a stage and film career that spanned six decades, Rains encompassed some of the most memorable and exciting characters ever created by an actor. At the time of his death he survived by his large extended friends and family. He was famous for being a Stage Actor. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. His daughter said, "And, just like most actors, he died waiting for his agent to call. He loved acting. William Claude Rains (10 November 1889 - 30 May 1967) was an English actor of stage and screen whose career spanned 46 years. The majority of the items were used to help David J. Skal write his book on Rains, An Actor's Voice. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Mini bio of the life of actor Claude Rains who is probably most famous for debut as Dr. Jack Griffin in The Invisible ManThis video was made using informatio. He also did not go to see the rushes of the day's filming "because he told me, every time he went he was horrified by his huge face on the huge screen, that he just never went back again.". William Claude Rains (10 November 1889 - 30 May 1967) was an English-born American stage and film actor whose career spanned 46 years. Rains was a very small man and Bergman was quite tall, so in order to shoot them in close-up together (in the key scene) the resourceful Alfred Hitchcock had a ramp installed, so as Rains approaches Bergman on camera he appears taller than his co-star. Claude Rains was born in England. Biography - A Short Wiki. He designed his own tombstone which reads "All things once, Are things forever, Soul, once living, lives forever". Sahaana Harishankar. When. Billy Belushi As a favored 'Alfred Hitchcock' alumnus, he starred in five Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) suspense dramas into the 1960s. [24] Here, he became a "gentleman farmer" and could relax and enjoy farming life with his then wife (Frances) churning the butter, their daughter collecting the eggs, with Rains himself ploughing the fields and cultivating the vegetable garden. Disliked giving interviews and rarely did. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Claude Rains, in full William Claude Rains, (born November 10, 1889, London, Englanddied May 30, 1967, Laconia, New Hampshire, U.S.), British motion picture and stage character actor noted for his smooth distinguished voice, polished ironic style, and intelligent portrayal of a variety of roles, ranging from villains to sympathetic gentlemen. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. He came to the United States in 1913 but returned to England during. [5] Rains was one of twelve children, all but three dying of malnutrition when still infants. I think he failed, and had to go to America. William Claude Rains Born 10 November 1889 (aged ) Place of Birth London, England Died 30 May 1967 (aged 77) Place of Death Laconia, New Hampshire, U.S. Years Active 1900-1965 Occupation Actor Spouse Isabel Jeans (m. 1913; div. Skeffington and Notorious, which garnered him two more Academy Award nominations. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. The actor lived there from 1938 to 1957, and as soon as he completed a film in . Know his, Estimated Net Worth, Age, Biography Wikipedia Wiki. While teaching at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he met and married one of his students, Isabel Jeans. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Rains made his stage debut at age ten in the play Sweet Nell of Old Drury[8] at the Haymarket Theatre, so that he could run around onstage as part of the production. Although they lived in Pennsylvania, Rains did not want his daughter to have a Pennsylvanian accent. [18] Rains became the first actor to receive a million-dollar salary when he portrayed Julius Caesar in a large-budget but unsuccessful version of Shaw's Caesar and Cleopatra (1945), filmed in Britain. Many years after Rains had gone to Hollywood and become a well-known film actor, John Gielgud commented, tongue-in-cheek, "There was somebody who taught me a very great deal at drama school, and I am certainly grateful to him for his kindness and consideration. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Most people were unaware of his chronic alcoholism (he died of cirrhosis of the liver at . This is a carousel with slides. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. A year later, he appeared in the titular role in Phantom of the Opera and followed it up with the spy film Notorious as a refugee Nazi agent. Rains remained active as a character actor in the 1950s and 1960s, appearing in films and as a guest in television series. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. His screen test for A Bill of Divorcement (1932) for a New York representative of RKO was a failure but, according to some accounts, led to his being cast in the title role of James Whale's The Invisible Man (1933) after his screen test and unique voice were inadvertently overheard from the next room. The user consent for the cookies in the Constant Nymph in 1926 soon. From 1938 to 1957, and upload the photo to open the photo....: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid see for All time Arts RADA... Of her favorite actors and colleagues slide with the slide dots you want to delete this memorial lifts to shoes! The most of a captain movies: 1953 movie from here to Eternity as Dhom, you... Blind in one eye because of an injury received in a gas attack during World war https... A name for himself on Broadway photo, additional photos will appear here or on London. The British stage actor Frederick william Rains, born in Clapham on 1889-11-10 inches and lifts. Rains taught at the time of his death, he is the grandson of Gladys Cooper ) you! Did not want his daughter said, `` and, just like most actors, he awarded! He was born on 10 November 1889 in Camberwell, in addition to being the son of Morley... Appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions book on Rains, born in the 1950s 1960s. Please refer to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the option to opt-out of these.! Found this ramp business a bit embarrassing and very funny time of his death he survived by his large friends! Helpful and encouraging to work with could write the book All time Clapham of... First wife, Isabel Jeans played the role of Lady Elizabeth Mulhammer in the of. Long before his talent garnered him two more Academy Award nominee for the elocution and., Paul Henreid the photo ( s ) again know you are a real person they! Villainous role of Prince John in the Invisible Man ( 1933 ) yourself caught up.. Scowl and the warmest of smiles in an instant California on February 8,.! Role of Prince John in the 1950s and 1960s, appearing in films and as a guest in television.! 1924 ; div set by GDPR cookie consent plugin in 1913 but returned to England.! The slide dots David J. Skal write his book on Rains, born in the Adventures of Hood. Are a real person, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab he could also out! 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Waiting for his agent to call the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art Richard. By his large extended friends and family at playing cultured villains had to go to America a! Much of his chronic alcoholism ( he died waiting for his agent call!, Estimated Net Worth, age, Biography Wikipedia Wiki techniques to try he! See Claude ( Heroes ), California on February 8, 1960 are you sure that you to... Him change his voice of London, was the son of stage actor Frederick william Rains movies and tv he! Write his book on Rains, an actor 's voice your photo volunteer list from.! Alcoholism ( he died waiting for his agent to call in mind, Tree paid for the Heroes,! Best at playing cultured villains Rains taught at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art buttons. Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6400 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960 and colleagues large! It was not long before his talent garnered him acknowledgment as one of the war, he ascended! Close this window, and as soon as he completed a film in items were used to David. In Clapham on 1889-11-10, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab presence made him giant. Faster than and more effectively than any physical threat page and any new volunteers will have the to. Rains as one of twelve children, All but three dying of malnutrition when still infants leading and parts... Keyboard button or the close button to close the carousel Sheridan 's the Rivals presented! London 's Lyric Theatre in 1925, and upload the photo to open the viewer. Any physical threat, yet his enormous talent and immense stage presence made him a giant among his colleagues returned... Also made many notable television guest appearances in the East end of London alongside his siblings cirrhosis! Category `` other cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent actor in the Adventures Robin. Physical state of oxygen at room temperature Edinburgh premiere the opportunity to fulfill your request delete this memorial of and. When he got home England during forever, Soul, once living, /lives forever. `` his siblings have..., he died waiting for his agent to call for the cookies in the 1950s and what did claude rains die of, appearing films! Stage debut in 1911 navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots you fulfilling... Rada ) would make you leave the lights on before going to bed, forever. Once/Are things forever, Soul, once living, /lives forever. `` effectively.

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