Jonathan Frid facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jonathan Frid
Publicity photo of Frid on Dark Shadows, c. 1968
Born	John Herbert Frid (1924-12-02)December 2, 1924 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Died	April 14, 2012(2012-04-14) (aged 87) Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Education	McMaster University (BA) Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (PGDip) Yale University (MFA)
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1946–2012
Known for	Barnabas Collins
Television	Dark Shadows

Jonathan Frid (born December 2, 1924 – died April 14, 2012) was a Canadian actor. He was best known for playing the vampire Barnabas Collins. This role was in the spooky TV show Dark Shadows.

About Jonathan Frid

Early Life and Education

Jonathan Frid was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. His birth name was John Herbert Frid. He was the youngest son in his family.

During World War II, Frid served in the Royal Canadian Navy. After the war, he went to McMaster University. He graduated in 1948. The next year, he was accepted into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England.

In 1954, he moved to the United States. He earned a special degree in Directing from the Yale School of Drama in 1957. While at Yale, he acted in new plays. He also performed in plays in Canada, England, and the U.S. He started using the stage name Jonathan Frid in 1962.

Becoming Barnabas Collins

Frid appeared in early TV shows for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. These included Julius Caesar and Our Town.

Frid as Barnabas Collins, 1968

Jonathan Frid became very famous for his role as the vampire Barnabas Collins. This was in the original spooky TV show Dark Shadows. The show ran from 1966 to 1971. Frid appeared in 594 episodes! He also played Barnabas in the 1970 movie House of Dark Shadows.

In 1967, Frid planned to move to California. He wanted to teach acting there. But then he got the call about the role of Barnabas Collins. He was told it would be a short job. It would give him extra money for his move. But the character became super popular. So, Frid changed his plans and stayed on the show.

After Dark Shadows ended in 1971, he went back to acting in live theater. He had big roles in Broadway plays. These included Murder in the Cathedral and Wait Until Dark. He also appeared on the TV soap opera As the World Turns. In 1974, he starred in the movie Seizure.

Later Career and Final Role

In the 1980s, Frid started doing readings at Dark Shadows fan events. He also created his own one-man shows. He acted in the Broadway play Arsenic and Old Lace in 1986–87.

He retired in 1994 and moved back to Canada. He continued to perform his one-man shows for charity events. In 2000, he starred in the play Mass Appeal.

Frid kept attending Dark Shadows conventions. In 2010, he played Barnabas again for an audio drama called The Night Whispers. This was his first time playing the role in 39 years!

In 2011, he filmed a small part for the 2012 Dark Shadows movie. He appeared with other actors from the original show. This was his very last film role.

His Passing

Jonathan Frid passed away on April 14, 2012. He died in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He had pneumonia and complications from a fall.

Filmography