Douglas Rain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Douglas Rain
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Rain in 1968
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| Born |
Douglas James Rain
March 13, 1928 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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| Died | November 11, 2018 (aged 90) Stratford, Ontario, Canada
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| Alma mater | University of Manitoba Banff School of Fine Arts Bristol Old Vic Theatre School |
| Occupation | Actor, voice actor |
| Known for | Voice of HAL 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) |
| Spouse(s) | Lois Shaw Martha Henry |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Dora Mavor Moore Award |
Douglas James Rain (born March 13, 1928 – died November 11, 2018) was a Canadian actor. He was also a narrator. He was mostly a stage actor. But he is best known for being the voice of the HAL 9000 computer. This was in the famous movie 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). He also voiced HAL in the sequel 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984).
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Douglas Rain's Early Life
Douglas Rain was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. His mother, Mary, was a nurse. His father, James Rain, worked on the railway. Both of his parents were from Glasgow, Scotland.
Douglas Rain's Acting Career
Douglas Rain finished his studies at the University of Manitoba in 1950. He then learned acting at the Banff School of Fine Arts. He also studied at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in England.
He helped start the Stratford Festival in Canada in 1953. This is a famous theater festival. He acted there for many years until 1998. He played many different roles on stage. One play, Henry V, was even shown on TV in 1966.
In 1972, he was nominated for a Tony Award. This is a big award for theater actors. He was nominated for his acting in the play Vivat! Vivat Regina!.
The Voice of HAL 9000
The famous director Stanley Kubrick chose Douglas Rain to be the voice of the HAL 9000 computer. This was for the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). Kubrick heard Rain narrate a short film called Universe. He thought Rain's voice would be perfect for the "creepy voice of HAL."
In the movie, HAL's voice was sometimes changed. This was done using a special electronic device. Douglas Rain voiced HAL again for the movie's sequel. This movie was called 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984).
He also made fun of the HAL voice in other shows. He did this in Woody Allen's movie Sleeper. He also did it in a funny sketch on Second City Television.
Douglas Rain's Later Life and Passing
Douglas Rain passed away on November 11, 2018. He was 90 years old. He died in St. Mary's Memorial Hospital in St. Marys, Ontario. He passed away from natural causes. He was married twice and had three children. He also had a grandchild.
Douglas Rain's Movies and TV Shows
- Universe (1960, short film) — Narrator
- Henry V (1966, TV movie) — Henry V
- 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) — voice of HAL 9000
- Sleeper (1973) — voice of Evil Computer / Various Robot Butlers
- The Man Who Skied Down Everest (1974) — Narrator
- SCTV (1982, "The Merv Griffin Show") — voice of HAL 9000
- 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984) — voice of HAL 9000
