William Henry Pratt

Other Events and Attributes:

• Also Known As: Boris Karloff
• FindaGrave ID: 2212
• Occupation: Actor

Notes:

Occupation:
For over four decades Boris Karloff terrified movie audiences by playing monsters, mad scientists and other menacing characters. He will be forever remembered for his portrayal of Frankenstein's creation "The Monster" in the classic 1931 picture "Frankenstein." He repeated the role in the sequel "The Bride of Frankenstein" (1935).

In real life, Karloff (who possessed a memorable, gentle voice) was a charming, sweet and good-natured person, a contrast to his on-screen characters. Born William Henry Pratt, in the London, England suburb of Dulwich his father Edward was a civil servant who died during William's early youth.

He studied at King's College in London, initially preparing for a career as a diplomat, however he developed an interest in the theatre and after marrying for the first time, he relocated to Canada in 1910. During this period, he took the name Boris Karloff (the last name was from his mother's side) and worked his way to Western Canada, as he held such occupations as a land-clearer on a farm, shoveling coal and laying tracks for street- cars.

After settling in Vancouver, he joined his first repertory company and would go on to perform in scores of plays in Canada and the United States over the next several years. During a stay in Los Angeles, he made his motion picture debut as an extra in the film "The Dumb Girl of Portici" (1916).

For the next fifteen years, he played a wide range of parts, in scores of films, before achieving stardom as the "Frankenstein Monster." It took legendary makeup artist Jack Pierce several hours each day to perfect Karloff's appearance in preparation for filming.

Edward married Eliza Sarah Millard on 27 Oct 1864 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India. Eliza (daughter of James Millard) was born on 25 Jun 1848 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India; died on 15 Dec 1906 in Enfield, Middlesex, England, UK. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]