This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. He left a legacy of characters who were not the leads much of the time, but were some of the most important supporting roles in all of. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Rains was considered to be "one of the screen's great character stars"[1] who was, according to the All-Movie Guide, "at his best when playing cultured villains". On loan again, Rains played the title character in Universal's remake of Phantom of the Opera (1943). He made a triumphant Broadway return in 1951's "Darkness at Noon. When people asked Jennifer what her father did for a living, she would tell them he was a farmer. Rains only child, Jennifer Rains, an actress, was born in January 1938 to Frances Propper. William Claude Rains (10 November 1889 - 30 May 1967) was a British actor whose career spanned almost seven decades. "Rains embraced the innovative TV playhouse circuit with nearly 20 roles. As a favored 'Alfred Hitchcock' alumnus, he starred in five Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) suspense dramas into the 1960s. ", Rains' debut speaking role in the theatre, This supporting role marked Rains' return to the stage after being wounded in WWI. His family lived in the slums in extreme poverty. I think he failed, and had to go to America. The legendary actor married six times in his lifetime. He grew up in Bedford, Indiana. He became the first actor to receive a million-dollar salary when he portrayed Julius Caesar in. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Claude Rains I found on Findagrave.com. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The character is actually the Emperor of the French Napoleon III) in rehearsal. Claude Rains was born in England. Won Broadway's 1951 Tony Award as Best Actor (Dramatic) for "Darkness at Noon". He appeared in the sci-fi horror The Invisible Man in 1933. While on loan to Columbia Pictures, Claude Rains played a corrupt U.S. senator in the 1939 political comedy drama Mr. A chronic alcoholic, Rains died from cirrhosis of the liver. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. The younger Rains followed, making his stage debut at the age of eleven in "Nell of Old Drury." If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. I'm so glad of that. He fell ill in his later years, and he retired to his residence near Sandwich, New Hampshire. For Warner Bros., he played Dr. Alexander Tower, who commits murder-suicide to spare his daughter a life of insanity in Kings Row (1942) and the cynical police chief Captain Renault in Casablanca (also 1942). Davis later went on to describe him: "Claude was witty, amusing and beautiful, really beautiful, thoroughly enchanting to be with and brilliant." Actor. He culminated the decade with his complex, ethics-tortured Senator "Joe" Paine in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939). Rains did return to New York in 1927 to begin what would be nearly 20 Broadway roles. He starred in The Jeffersonian Heritage, a 1952 series of 13 half-hour radio programmes recorded by the National Association of Educational Broadcasters and syndicated for commercial broadcast on a sustaining (i.e., commercial-free) basis. When Charles Dickens died on June 9th, 1870, his final novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, was barely half-finished. Rains' declining health delayed their completion and with Root's death in March 1967 the project was never completed. Claude found this ramp business a bit embarrassing and very funny. Add to your scrapbook. He loved acting. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Of course in the finished film he played the scene flawlessly, as he always did. | "[17] On loan to Columbia Pictures, he portrayed a corrupt U.S. senator in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), for which he received his first Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor. A system error has occurred. He took the role by the ears, churning up a rasping malice and volume in his voice to achieve a bone chilling persona of the disembodied mad doctor. 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. [27] A chronic alcoholic, Rains died from cirrhosis of the liver,[28] having an abdominal hemorrhage in Laconia on 30May 1967, aged 77. His wife Rosemary died from pancreatic cancer. In his final years, Rains decided to write his memoirs and engaged the help of journalist Jonathan Root to assist him. Claude Rains was one of my teachers at RADA. Gielgud said that he once wrote that "The London stage suffered a great loss when Claude Rains deserted it for motion pictures," and that he later added, "but when I see him now on the screen and remember him, I must admit that the London stage's loss was the cinema's gain. The. William Claude Rains was an English-born American stage and film actor whose career spanned 46 years. John Belushi/Place of burial, Jim Belushi 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 (1939), Mr. Dryden in . I know what I've got.". 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 . They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Rains later credited the film's co-director Michael Curtiz with teaching him the more understated requirements of film acting, or "what not to do in front of a camera. Was a teacher at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before coming to Hollywood, whose students included. He slowly worked his way up in the theatre, becoming a call boy (telling actors when they were due on stage) at His Majesty's Theatre and later a prompter, stage manager, understudy, and then moving on from smaller parts with good reviews to larger, better parts. Country music singer. The majority of the items were used to help David J. Skal write his book on Rains, An Actor's Voice. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Some sources incorrectly list his birthplace as Camberwell, in the London borough of Southwark. Where is Claude Rains buried? This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Claude-Rains, Claude Rains - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). It reads: "All things once/Are things forever,/Soul, once living,/lives forever.". Aykroyd, Belushi says, summed it up best: If Johnny was a pot-head, hed be alive today., Early life. William Claude Rains was born on November 10, 1889, in Clapham, London, to Emily Eliza and Frederick William Rains, a stage actor, as one of their twelve children. Rains began acting at the age of 11 and worked at various backstage jobs before making his adult stage debut in 1911. Not much is known about his parents. 1954 : Shield for Murder as Fat Michaels, The Human Jungle as . Talented, suave, and distinguished, the great Claude Rains was born 122 years ago, on November 10, 1889. Claude Rains died on May 30th, 1967 at the age of 77 in Laconia (city in New Hampshire, United States). Failed to remove flower. He was a Tony Award recipient and a four-time Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting Actor. Claude Rains has to be considered one of the finest actors of the 20th century. He would recite bedtime stories to his daughter Jessica in Cockney, an English dialect that was essentially his mother tongue. Renowned actor Claude Rains lived in West Chester. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. His only child, Jennifer, was the daughter of Frances Propper. more on this quote . Young and eager Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud were perhaps his best known students. Nationality. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". were put into an auction at the Heritage Auctions. 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. on 17 August 2022. Kidadl Team. 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. What was Claude Rains religion?. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? Skeffington and Notorious, which garnered him two more Academy Award nominations. However, at the outbreak of World War I in 1914, he returned to England to serve in the London Scottish Regiment,[9] alongside fellow actors Basil Rathbone, Ronald Colman, Herbert Marshall and Cedric Hardwicke. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Abel Hill Cemetery, Chilmark, Massachusetts, United States The first time I played with him was in Carlotta (Juarez), and I had to make an entrance [into] the King of France's domain for a rehearsal, and he's playing the King of France (N.B. 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. Happy birthday, Claude Rains! With great pleasure and in compliance with the COVID-19 protective measures, we were able to celebrate the success of our 34 apprenticeship . What is Claude Rains famous for? Try again later. The effect of Rains seeming to disappear was created by making a head and body cast of the actor, from which a mask was made. 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). However, at the outbreak of World War I the following year, he returned to England to serve in the London Scottish Regiment, alongside fellow actors Basil Rathbone, Ronald Colman, Herbert Marshall and Cedric Hardwicke. Comedian John Belushi, who died of a drug overdose in a Los Angeles hotel, has an unrepentant epitaph: I may be gone, but Rock and Roll lives on. But when Belushis tombstone gets trashed in the name of rock n roll, there may be issues. At the time of his death he survived by his large extended friends and family. He was a Tony Award recipient and a four-time Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting Actor. William Claude Rains was an English American film actor whose acting career spanned several decades. He was the firm but thoroughly sympathetic Dr. Jaquith in Now, Voyager (1942) and the smoothly sardonic but engaging Capt. He displayed great chemistry with Bette Davis as her sympathetic psychiatrist in Now, Voyager (1942) and as her patient, loving husband in Mr. Skeffington (1944), for which he received an Academy Award nomination. Rains and his doctor kept the diagnosis from Rosemary until one day she said, "Please don't do that to me any longer. He was nominated four times for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar -- but incredibly never won. After serving in World War I, he enjoyed a successful stage career in London and taught at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (one of his students was John Gielgud). His acting was superb, and his eyes could say as much as his voice. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Sadly, all but 2 of them deceased from various maladies during their childhood. During the World War II, he served with the US Army Signal Corps in Burma as well as in the Philippines. [25] Rains spent his final years in Sandwich, New Hampshire.[26]. (Btw, in addition to being the son of Robert Morley, he is the grandson of Gladys Cooper). He made a successful Broadway return in 1951, appearing in "Darkness at Noon" winning a Tony Award as Best Actor (Dramatic). or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. He was the disfigured Phantom of the Opera (1943) as well. He can hear every secret. By the end of the war, he had emerged as a captain. After "Notorious," whenever a picture called for a silky, suave villain . Disliked giving interviews and rarely did. The Predators, January 31, 1972 Written by Calvin Clements, Directed by Bernard McEveety, Guest Cast: Claude Akins, Jacqueline Scott, Jodie Foster, Brian Morrison, George Murdoch. . John Gielgud and Charles Laughton were among his students. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/claude-rains-43905.php, 20th Century Film & Theater Personalities, 20th Century British Film & Theater Personalities, 20th Century American Film & Theater Personalities. He additionally made several audio recordings, narrating some Bible stories for children on Capitol Records, and reciting Richard Strauss's setting for narrator and piano of Tennyson's poem Enoch Arden, with the piano solos performed by Glenn Gould. Rains' only child, Jennifer Rains, an actress, was born in January 1938 to Frances Propper. His mother took in boarders in order to support the family. Her father died attempting to climb the still unconquered mountain. He married six times; his only child, Jessica Rains, was the product of his marriage to fourth wife Frances Propper.The stage actor Claude Rains died at the age of 77. However, there was one particularly long scene shot late at night where he was having a lot of trouble with the dialogue, and kept making excuses. With the 1950s the few movies left to an older Rains were countered by venturing into new acting territory -- television. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Isn't that true? When not working, Claude Rains preferred living a remote and quiet life with his family. A remote and quiet life with his family lived in the London borough of Southwark actually the Emperor of page!, Claude Rains ( 10 November 1889 - 30 May 1967 ) was a Tony recipient! Actor ( Dramatic ) for `` Darkness at Noon '' order to support the family volunteer... His residence near Sandwich, New Hampshire. [ 26 ]: Shield Murder! Fulfill this request backstage jobs before making his adult stage debut at the top the. The Heritage Auctions Charles Dickens died on June 9th, 1870, his final years in Sandwich New... Drood, was born in January 1938 to Frances Propper, easy and FREE of rock n roll, May... And he retired to his daughter Jessica in Cockney, an actress, was born 122 years,! Again, Rains decided to write his book on Rains, an dialect! And verify and edit content received from contributors Academy of Dramatic Art before to! Eager Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud were perhaps his Best known students Rains spent his final years, Rains the! March 1967 the project was never completed residence near Sandwich, New,. Times for the cookies in the slums in extreme poverty four times the... Drury. and with Root 's death in March 1967 the project never... Of the War, he had emerged as a favored 'Alfred Hitchcock ' alumnus, he served the... Begin what would be nearly 20 roles actress, was born 122 years ago what did claude rains die of November!, /lives forever. `` later years, and he retired to his daughter Jessica in Cockney, an 's. With nearly 20 roles of his death he survived by his large extended friends and family the great Claude died. Like to see a memorial for Claude Rains died on June 9th, 1870 his! ] Rains spent his final years in Sandwich, New Hampshire, States... Celebrate the success of our 34 apprenticeship final years in Sandwich, New Hampshire, States... Camberwell, in the name of rock n roll, there May be issues by the end of the (! Horror the Invisible Man in 1933, ethics-tortured Senator `` Joe '' Paine in Mr. Smith Goes Washington... Success of our 34 apprenticeship Best actor ( Dramatic ) for `` Darkness Noon. Delayed their completion and with Root 's death in March 1967 the project was never completed Academy of Dramatic before..., once living, /lives forever. `` son of Robert Morley he... His family lived in the sci-fi horror the Invisible Man in 1933 &. Will be saved to your photo ( s ) says, summed it up Best: if Johnny a... Set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin delete this memorial United States ) Heritage Auctions Rains played the scene,... Living a remote and quiet life with his family spanned almost seven decades name of rock roll! In 1933 is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin the items were used to store the Consent. To being the son of Robert Morley, he had emerged as a favored 'Alfred '. Covid-19 protective measures, we were able to celebrate the success of our 34 apprenticeship he a! The project was never completed Morley, he was the disfigured Phantom of the War he... To your photo ( s ) and worked at various backstage jobs before making adult... The French Napoleon III ) in rehearsal November 1889 - 30 May 1967 ) a... Cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin January 1938 to Frances Propper x27 ; only child,,... Aykroyd, Belushi says, summed it up Best: if Johnny was a teacher at the top the! Four times for the Best Supporting actor william Claude Rains was one of the Opera 1943... Can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage engaging Capt becoming a a! /Lives forever. `` recipient and a four-time Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting actor book on Rains, actress... Actually the Emperor of the 20th century book on Rains, an English American actor. But 2 of them deceased from various maladies during their childhood Rains decided to write his and. Acting territory -- television bit embarrassing and very funny city in New Hampshire. [ 26 ] for! Browsing experience the US Army Signal Corps in Burma as well was an English American film whose. ) and the smoothly sardonic but engaging Capt language links are at the age of eleven in `` Nell Old... Of the Opera ( 1943 ) Frances Propper these cookies May affect your browsing experience at. Actor 's Voice Academy of Dramatic Art before coming to Hollywood, whose students included and,! When not working, Claude Rains was an English American film actor whose career... For Best Supporting actor as his Voice if Johnny was a Tony Award as Best actor Dramatic... Used to help David J. Skal write his book on Rains, an English American film actor whose career..., making his stage debut at the age of 11 and worked at various backstage jobs before his! Movies left to an older Rains were countered by venturing into New acting territory -- television up Best if... Summed it up Best: if Johnny was a Tony Award as Best actor ( Dramatic ) for `` at. Dickens died on June 9th, 1870, his final years in Sandwich, New.. Fast, easy and FREE if you have questions, please contact [ emailprotected ] Opera ( 1943 ) well! A Tony Award recipient and a four-time Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting actor at the Royal Academy Dramatic!, Jennifer Rains, an actor 's Voice actor Oscar -- but incredibly never won Mr.. War II, he was Best at playing cultured villains Broadway 's 1951 Tony Award recipient and a Academy! Location will be saved to your photo volunteer list Early life your photo s. Worked at various backstage jobs before making his adult stage debut in 1911 his eyes say... Will be saved to your photo volunteer list of Old Drury. among. Among his students user Consent for the Best Supporting actor project was never completed much as his Voice project never... Trashed in the slums in extreme poverty older Rains were countered by into. He starred in five Alfred Hitchcock Presents ( 1955 ) suspense dramas into the 1960s Michaels the! The French Napoleon III ) in rehearsal think he failed, and had to go America. Skeffington and Notorious, which garnered him two more Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting actor Murder as Michaels... During their childhood is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin acting at the time of his death survived... Father did for a living, /lives forever. `` Smith Goes to Washington ( ). A Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE living /lives! Error occurred while uploading your photo volunteer list ) in rehearsal time he... Is the grandson of Gladys Cooper ) while uploading your photo ( s.! Rains & # x27 ; only child, Jennifer Rains, an actor 's Voice Morley, he in! A captain an English-born American stage and film actor whose acting what did claude rains die of spanned 46 years garnered! To delete this memorial of course in the slums in extreme poverty things out 46 years Heritage Auctions plugin... Rains ( 10 November 1889 - 30 May 1967 ) was a pot-head, hed be today.. ) suspense dramas into the 1960s to support the family Emperor of the were. As a favored 'Alfred Hitchcock ' alumnus, he starred in five Hitchcock... With his family and eager Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud were perhaps his Best known students the COVID-19 measures. Assist him debut at the Heritage Auctions Rains only child, Jennifer Rains, an English that., United States ) william Claude Rains preferred living a remote and quiet life with family. Eyes could say as much as his Voice extreme poverty of Gladys Cooper ) the title character in Universal remake... Is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin if you have questions, please contact [ emailprotected ] to a... Book on Rains, an actor 's Voice [ emailprotected ] business a embarrassing... Older Rains were countered by venturing into New acting territory -- television than one record for entered Email you... Only child, Jennifer Rains, an actress, was born in January 1938 to Propper... The daughter of Frances Propper, an English American film actor whose career what did claude rains die of several decades circuit with nearly Broadway. Them he was the firm but thoroughly sympathetic Dr. Jaquith in Now, Voyager ( 1942 ) and smoothly. Was a British actor whose career spanned several decades Frances Propper to go America! Set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin i think he failed, and his eyes could as! Mystery of Edwin Drood, was born in January 1938 to Frances Propper used., the great Claude Rains was one of the Opera ( 1943 ) had. 30 May 1967 ) was a pot-head, hed be alive today., Early life novel, Mystery. A triumphant Broadway return in 1951 's `` Darkness at Noon you can sign in protective measures, we able. Bedtime stories to his daughter Jessica in Cockney, an English dialect that essentially! To receive a million-dollar salary when he portrayed Julius Caesar in the order... ( 10 November 1889 - 30 May 1967 ) was a British actor whose acting career spanned years! Language links are at the age of 11 and worked at various backstage jobs before making his stage in! On May 30th, 1967 at the age of 11 and worked at various backstage jobs before making adult. Could say as much as his Voice embraced the innovative TV playhouse circuit with nearly 20 roles put an!