William Henry Pratt
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Boris Karloff portrayed the Frankenstein Monster in Universal’s 1931 film, a role that made him a horror icon. He had appeared in 80 films before that breakthrough. He also voiced the Grinch and narrator in the 1966 TV special How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Names, aliases, and relatives of Boris Karloff — birth name, kin, and personal ties.
Boris Karloff by the numbers — life, work, and family.
Boris Karloff — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.
Born William Henry Pratt in Camberwell, London in 1887 to Edward John Pratt, a deputy commissioner, and Eliza Sarah Millard, he was the youngest of eight sons. Both parents died when he was a boy, and he was raised by his older brothers and a stepsister.
He attended Enfield Grammar School, Uppingham School, and King’s College London with the intent of a diplomatic career. Instead, he emigrated to Canada in 1909, joined a touring company, and adopted the stage name Boris Karloff.
James Whale cast him as the Frankenstein Monster in his 1931 film Frankenstein. The role established him as a horror star, leading to iconic roles in The Mummy 1932, The Mask of Fu Manchu 1932, and The Black Cat 1934. He played the Monster twice more in Bride of Frankenstein 1935 and Son of Frankenstein 1939.
On Broadway, he played Jonathan Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace and Captain Hook in Peter Pan. In the 1960s, he hosted the anthology series Thriller and appeared in Roger Corman films like The Raven 1963. His last great film role was as aging horror star Byron Orlok in Peter Bogdanovich’s Targets 1968. He also narrated the 1966 TV special How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Karloff married six times: Grace Harding 1910-1913, Olive de Wilton 1915-1919, Montana Laurena Williams 1920-1922, Helene Vivian Soule 1924-1928, Dorothy Stine 1930-1946, and Evelyn Hope 1946 until his death. His only child, Sara Karloff, was born on his 51st birthday in 1939.
Away from the camera, he was a quiet, bookish man who adored children. He dressed as Santa Claus every Christmas for disabled children in Baltimore beginning in 1940. He suffered chronic back pain from the heavy Frankenstein costume but never let it slow him down. He was a founding member of the Screen Actors Guild and held card number nine.
Boris Karloff’s portrayal of the Frankenstein Monster inspired Marvel Comics’ Hulk and set the standard for the creature’s appearance. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1997, the US Postal Service issued stamps featuring him as both the Mummy and the Frankenstein Monster. Plaques commemorate him in Camberwell, London, and at St. Paul’s Church in Covent Garden. He is remembered as a horror icon and a gentle man who brought joy to children and defined a genre.
The complete filmography of Boris Karloff — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.
Every award, honor, and recognition received by Boris Karloff — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.
A wall of memorable lines from Boris Karloff — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.
When I Was Nine, I Played the Demon King in Cinderella and It Launched Me on a Long and Happy Life of Being a Monster.
My Wife Has Good Taste. She Has Seen Very Few of My Movies.
You Could Heave a Brick Out of the Window and Hit Ten Actors Who Could Play My Parts. I Just Happened to Be on the Right Corner at the Right Time.
The Monster Was the Best Friend I Ever Had.
My Dear Old Monster. I Owe Everything to Him. He’s My Best Friend.
My Leg in a Steel Brace… Operating with Only Half a Lung… Why, It’s a Public Scandal That I’m Still Around. but as Long as the People Want Me, I Feel an Obligation to Go on Performing. After All, Every Time I Act I Provide Employment for a Fleet of Doubles.
I Am a Very Lucky Man. Here I Am in My 80Th Year, and I Am Still Able to Earn My Bread and Butter at My Profession. I Am One of That Very Small Family of the Human Race Who Happens to Thoroughly Enjoy His Work. If I Didn’t Enjoy It, I Wouldn’t Go On.
Most Actors, You Know, Come Out Here with Contracts from New York. They Have Gone Through Their Hardships Back East, and Once in Hollywood, Everything Is Easy on Them. but I Can Remember Standing Outside Little One Arm Restaurants Along Hollywood Boulevard and Wishing I Had an Extra Dime for a Couple of Doughnuts to Go with My Coffee.
Horror Means Something Revolting. Anybody Can Show You a Pailful of Innards. but the Object of the Roles I Played Is Not to Turn Your Stomach but Merely to Make Your Hair Stand on End.
Certainly, I Was Typed. but What Is Typing? It Is a Trademark, a Means by Which the Public Recognizes You. Actors Work All Their Lives to Achieve That. I Got Mine with Just One Picture. It Was a Blessing.
Of Course, There Are Always Things You See in Your Own Films That You Feel Could Have Been Done Better. but Once a Film Is Finished, It’s Too Late to Do Anything About It. the Ship Has Sailed and One’s Mistakes Are Embalmed. but You Can Learn Something for the Next Time.
Little-known facts about Boris Karloff — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.
For many years, he was next door neighbor to Christopher Lee.
According to his daughter Sara Karloff, he had three major back surgeries from carrying Colin Clive up the stairs in Frankenstein 1931.
He celebrated his 51st birthday during Son of Frankenstein 1939 and rushed from the set in full Monster makeup to the hospital for the birth of his daughter Sara.
In his final years, walking and standing became painful, so directors often rewrote scripts to place his character in a wheelchair.
When told that Bobby Pickett, singer of Monster Mash, was a fan, Karloff replied he enjoyed the record and later sang it on a TV special.
Chronic back pain from the heavy brace in Frankenstein plagued him, but he remained active until age and illness stopped him.
He appeared in 80 films before his breakthrough in Frankenstein 1931.
He was one of the 12 original founding members of the Screen Actors Guild, holding card number nine, and always carried dimes for pay phones during union business.
Karloff was not even invited to the December 6, 1931 premiere of Frankenstein because Universal considered him anonymous.
His first Broadway play was Arsenic and Old Lace, with a role written for him: Jonathan Brewster, who looks like Boris Karloff.
He never shared a romantic kiss on screen, partly because his dark Indian heritage was not acceptable in old Hollywood.
Seven-year-old Marilyn Harris, who played Maria in Frankenstein, was not frightened by Karloff in makeup and asked to ride with him.
He never legally changed his name; he always signed contracts as William Henry Pratt a.k.a. Boris Karloff.
His anguished scream from Son of Frankenstein was added to Universal’s stock sound effects library and used in later films.
Both of Karloff’s parents died when he was still a boy.
He refused to reprise the Monster in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein 1948, feeling parodies would not be liked, but did publicity.
His performance as the Monster inspired the Marvel Comics character the Hulk.
He maintained an apartment in the Dakota, a famous New York building.
He was a late bloomer; Frankenstein premiered when he was 44.
In contrast to his film image, he was a quiet, bookish man who loved children and recorded many successful albums of children’s stories.
In 1956, he was a contestant on The $64,000 Question, choosing children’s fairy tales and winning $32,000.
Rejected by the British Army in World War I due to a heart murmur.
While walking his Bedlington Terriers in Brentwood, a drunk man thought he saw three sheep bark; Karloff gave him a ride to the hospital.
He co-starred with Bela Lugosi in only eight films: Gift of Gab 1934, The Black Cat 1934, The Raven 1935, The Invisible Ray 1936, Son of Frankenstein 1939, You’ll Find Out 1940, Black Friday 1940, and The Body Snatcher 1945.
He was the youngest of eight sons.
He got his role in The Criminal Code 1931 because he was broke and couldn’t afford a donut; he went to Actors’ Equity and learned of the casting.
Played cricket for Enfield Cricket Club before emigrating; his picture hangs in the pavilion.
He marked his lines in scripts, a practice that impressed Jack Nicholson, who adopted it.
His siblings pushed him toward government service, but he turned to acting.
He shares a birthday with his daughter Sara Karloff.
He wore lifts and padding for the Monster’s appearance; his height was medium, not large as many assumed.
He was raised by his seven older brothers and a stepsister.
His Indian heritage gave him dark skin, leading to roles as Arabians and Native Americans.
Once did a TV commercial for A-1 Steak Sauce.
Insured himself against premature aging from heavy makeup and prosthetics.
The Evil Scientist in the Bugs Bunny short Water, Water Every Hare 1952 was based on Karloff.
He played the Frankenstein Monster only three times: Frankenstein 1931, Bride of Frankenstein 1935, and Son of Frankenstein 1939. He played Dr. Frankenstein once in Frankenstein 1970 1958.
Pictured on two 32-cent US commemorative stamps in 1997 for Famous Movie Monsters: as the Mummy and as the Frankenstein Monster.
Commemorated by a plaque on the wall of 36 Forest Hill Road, Camberwell, London.
His hobbies included growing roses, drinking tea, playing cricket, and watching rugby on TV.
When he died, the New York Times used a photo of Glenn Strange as the Monster instead of Karloff.
His stage name likely came from a character in Harold MacGrath’s 1904 book The Man on the Box.
His daughter Sara was not informed of his death by his widow Evelyn Hope; she was excluded from his deathbed.
Received a Tony Award nomination in 1956 for his dramatic role in The Lark.
Commemorated by a plaque inside St. Paul’s Church the Actors’ Church in Covent Garden, London.
He was on good terms with fellow actor Christopher Lee.
Beginning in 1940, he dressed as Santa Claus every Christmas for physically disabled children in a Baltimore hospital.
When he returned to England for The Ghoul 1933, it was his first visit in nearly 25 years, and he reunited with his surviving family.
His favorite film was Targets 1968 and his favorite actor was George Kennedy.
Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Boris Karloff.
Celebrities similar to Boris Karloff — same craft, ranked by reach.
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