While working for the Theater Guild, he was offered a screen test with Universal Pictures in 1932. Claude Rains was claustrophobic and it was hard to breathe through the suit. He took a Universal Studio screen test that proved positive and his long career in motion pictures began - the greatest portion of which was spent with Warner Brothers where he became a busy actor with his smooth distinguished voice portraying a variety of roles, ranging from villains to sympathetic gentlemen. 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. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The younger Rains followed, making his stage debut at the age of eleven in "Nell of Old Drury." Press of Kentucky: 290 pp., $29.95 . His last marriage was to Rosemary Clark Schrode in 1960. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT7-hUtE98E. Often wed secretly like to do the very things we discipline ourselves against. Claude Rains started his career at the London theatre, achieving critical success with John Drinkwater's Ulysses S. Grant. Failed to report flower. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. His daughter said, "And, just like most actors, he died waiting for his agent to call." He was buried at the Red Hill Cemetery in Moultonborough, New Hampshire. Claude Rains died on May 30, 1967 at the age of 77. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. There he observed actors as well as the day-to-day running of a theatre. He 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. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Needing emergency medical attention, he was taken to Lakes Region Hospital where he died of abdominal hemorrhage at age 77. Updates? Smith Goes to Washington, Notorious, Lawrence of Arabia and The Pied Piper of Hamelin, to name a few. Reminiscing about his work with Rains, Chamberlain said: He was in his seventies then and in failing health, yet he was charming and totally professional on the set. He was 77 years old. His wife Rosemary died from pancreatic cancer. Try again. At one time, Rains also served in the military during the First World War. Universal was embarking on its new-found role as horror film factory, and they were looking for someone unique for their next outing, The Invisible Man (1933). William Claude Rains (10 November 1889 - 30 May 1967) was an English-born American stage and film actor whose career spanned 46 years. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. He appeared in over 60 films, most notably in "Build Thy House" his first, a 1920 British film, "The Invisible Man", "Hearts Divided", "The Last Outpost", "Juarez", "Kings Row", "Phantom of the Opera", "Lawrence of Arabia", "The Greatest Story Ever Told" and again "The Invisible Man", which was a 1966 remake and his final movie role. Rains was contemplating a return to the stage in 1964 in "So Much of Earth, So Much of Heaven", but poor health prevented that. Rains did return to New York in 1927 to begin what would be nearly 20 Broadway roles. As soon as you hear that marvelous, unmistakable voice of honey mixed with gravel, he becomes instantly recognizable. Rains portrayed Faulkland in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's The Rivals, presented at London's Lyric Theatre in 1925. Did Claude Rains live in West Chester Pa? Claude Rains, in full William Claude Rains, (born November 10, 1889, London, Englanddied May 30, 1967, Laconia, New Hampshire, U.S.), British motion picture and stage character actor noted for his smooth distinguished voice, polished ironic style, and intelligent portrayal of a variety of roles, ranging from villains to sympathetic gentlemen. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. After his American film debut as Dr. Jack Griffin in The Invisible Man (1933), he appeared in such highly regarded films as The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), The Wolf Man (1941), Casablanca and Kings Row (both 1942), Notorious (1946), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), and The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965). Claude Rains's full name is William Claude Rains and his nickname is Claude Rains. Claude Rains became a citizen of USA in the year 1939. . For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Rains did return to New York in 1927 to begin what would be nearly 20 Broadway roles. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. He did not just memorize his own lines, but the entire script. Claude Rains - Dr. Jack Griffin aka The Invisible Man. Weve updated the security on the site. . William Claude Rains. Claude Rains, British motion picture and stage character actor noted for his smooth distinguished voice, polished ironic style, and intelligent portrayal of a variety of roles, ranging from villains to sympathetic gentlemen. The NBC colour special, broadcast as a film rather than a live or videotaped programme, was highly successful with the public. "The Jeffersonian Heritage," Broadcasting-Telecasting, 8 September 1952, 36 (trade advertisement). Mr Rains story, beginning with his poor, lonely, friendless, cruel childhood, You will find yourself caught up in . Corrections? In 1951, the actor appeared as Rubashov in the stage production Darkness at Noon at Alvin Theatre/Royale Theatre. [10] In November 1916, Rains was involved in a gas attack at Vimy, which resulted in his permanently losing 90 percent of the vision in his right eye as well as suffering vocal cord damage. This account has been disabled. A number of clips from many of her most successful films were shown and I was particularly delighted, when, as soon as Claude Rains appeared in the close-up of one of the clips, the whole audience burst into a great wave of applause. Was a teacher at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before coming to Hollywood, whose students included. 5 mins to read. Wellss The Invisible Man (1933), directed by James Whale. . Most people were unaware of his chronic alcoholism (he died of cirrhosis of the liver at . Claude Rains was born on the 10th of November, 1889. Left $25,000 to the Actors Fund of America. Her screen name is Jessica Rains, as there was already a Jennifer Rains registered in the Actors' Equity. After his American film debut as Dr. Jack Griffin in The Invisible Man (1933) he appeared in such highly regarded films as The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), The Wolf . He could also throw out a high-pitched maniac laugh that would make you leave the lights on before going to bed. Although Rainss face is hidden behind bandages throughout most of the film, his ominous voice effectively reflected the heightening madness of the megalomaniacal scientist he portrayed. [18] Rains became the first actor to receive a million-dollar salary when he portrayed Julius Caesar in a large-budget but unsuccessful version of Shaw's Caesar and Cleopatra (1945), filmed in Britain. In 1967, at the age of 77, Rains died at his home in New Hampshire was buried in the tiny Red Hill Cemetery in Moultonborough, a small town on the northern point of Lake Winnipesaukee. Country music singer. This is a carousel with slides. Red Hill Cemetery, Moultonborough, New Hampshire, United States Rains had a unique and solid British voice-deep, slightly rasping -- but richly dynamic. He was buried in nearby Red Hill Cemetery beside his sixth wife who had died three years prior. The first time his daughter ever saw Rains in a film was in 1950 when he took her to see. William Claude Rains was born on 10 November 1889 in Camberwell, London. He knew everybody's part. However in reality he was from a comfortable lower middle-class background in south London, and he never spoke with a Cockney accent. True to Universal's formula mentality, it cast him in similar roles through 1934 with some respite in more diverse film roles -- and further relieved by Broadway roles (1933, 1934) for the remainder of his contract. During his early years, he also served as a teacher at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA). Nationality. It was 'his' voice, nobody else spoke like that, half American, half English and a little Cockney thrown in. 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 . When did Claude Rains die? His screen test for A Bill of Divorcement (1932) for a New York representative of RKO was a failure but, according to some accounts, led to his being cast in the title role of James Whale's The Invisible Man (1933) after his screen test and unique voice were inadvertently overheard from the next room. His parents were Emily Eliza ( ne Cox) and the stage actor Frederick William Rains. Claude Rains was one of my teachers at RADA. Because his father was an actor, he would spend time in theatres as a child and made his stage debut at the age of ten in Haymarket Theatres Sweet Nell of Old Drury. Rains' work on an autobiography were halted with the death of his sixth wife, Rosemary Clark. William Claude Rains, known as Willie to his family, was born November 10, 1889 to Frederick and Emily Eliza Cox at 26 Tregothnan Road in Clapham, or, as he described it, ?the wrong side of the River Thames?. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Year should not be greater than current year. During the World War I, he served in the London Scottish Regiment. Rains was almost blind in one eye because of an injury received in a gas attack during World War I. Rains returned to the stage in the 1950s and won a Tony Award for his performance in Darkness at Noon, based on a novel by Arthur Koestler. Well, here in the movies I can be as mean, as wicked as I want to and all without hurting anybody. (Claude Rains), Hollywood to me is a place to work. His daughter Jennifer was born on January 24, 1938. In fact he was one of the best and most popular teachers there. Claude Rains/Living or Deceased. Bette Davis often cited Rains as one of her favorite actors and colleagues. Claude Rains, better known by the Family name William Claude Rains, was a popular actor. Biography William Claude Rains, the first film actor to earn a million dollars for a part, was born on November 10, 1889, in London, England, to Frederick and Emily Eliza Cox Rains and was referred to by his family as "Willie." In his final years, Rains decided to write his memoirs and engaged the help of journalist Jonathan Root to assist him. | Oops, something didn't work. Four-time Oscar nominee who starred as Captain Louis Renault in Casablanca and as the title character in the 1933 film The Invisible Man. This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 10:25. Actor. Claude Rains plays Prince John . Omissions? Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. And as a man of small stature, the combination was immediately intriguing. He spent much of his time between film takes reading up on agricultural techniques to try when he got home. Claude Rains died on May 30th, 1967 at the age of 77 in Laconia (city in New Hampshire, United States). With great pleasure and in compliance with the COVID-19 protective measures, we were able to celebrate the success of our 34 apprenticeship . His family lived in the slums in extreme poverty. His daughter Jessica, when describing her father's voice, said, "The interesting thing to me was that he became a different person. William Claude Rains, born in the Clapham area of London, was the son of the British stage actor Frederick Rains. Rains and his doctor kept the diagnosis from Rosemary until one day she said, "Please don't do that to me any longer. In 1946, when four films with Rains were running on Broadway at the same time, New York Times critic Bosley Crowther remarked, "It never rains, but what it pours.". 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). 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. Many years after Rains had gone to Hollywood and become a well-known film actor, John Gielgud commented, tongue-in-cheek, "There was somebody who taught me a very great deal at drama school, and I am certainly grateful to him for his kindness and consideration. Rains died from an abdominal hemorrhage in Laconia on 30 May 1967, aged 77. "[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. (August 1960 -. Abstract: He became an A-list star, earning his recognition as a supporting actor. He was known for many roles in Hollywood films among them the title role in The Invisible Man (1933) The Wolf Man (1941) corrupt kings and senators in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) Mr. Dryden in Lawrence of Arabia . Citizenship United Kingdom - United States Alma mater Royal Academy of Dramatic Art Occupation Actor Years active 1900-1965 Spouse(s) Isabel Jeans (m. 1913; div. Following his death, he was interred at Red Hill Cemetery in Moultonborough, New Hampshire USA PLOT lot 58 and 60. Claude Rains died on May 30, 1967, at the age of 77. One day on the set I mentioned to him that Notorious was one of my favorite films, and Claude related with amusement the filming of a particular scene with Ingrid Bergman. Louis Renault -- perhaps his best known role -- in Casablanca (1942). What happened to Claude Rains? Rains signed a long-term contract with Warner Bros. on 27 November 1935 with Warner able to exercise the right to loan him to other studios and Rains having a potential income of up to $750,000 over seven years. Captain Jack has been growing that strain for 40 years. He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6400 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Rains was nominated for. Cast: James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains. After his American film debut with The Invisible Man (1933) he played in classic films like The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), The Wolf Man (1941), Casablanca (1942; as Captain . These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. He appeared in two Best Picture Academy Award winners: In his obituary, The New York Times claimed that Rains was the first British stage and film star to earn a million dollars for a single film. When. Look at that lovely girl I've just shot! Red Hill Cemetery,Moultonborough,New Hampshire,United States. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Claude Rains I found on Findagrave.com. Claude found this ramp business a bit embarrassing and very funny. "Rains embraced the innovative TV playhouse circuit with nearly 20 roles. 1915) Marie Hemingwaybr> (m. 1920; div. He became a very elegant man, with a really extraordinary Mid-Atlantic accent. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". When people asked Jennifer what her father did for a living, she would tell them he was a farmer. The legendary actor married six times in his lifetime. Rains decided to come to America in 1913 and the New York theater, but with the outbreak of World War I the next year, he returned to serve with a Scottish regiment in Europe. He grew up in the world of theater and made his stage debut in Nell of Old Drury . Often we'd secretly like to do the very things we discipline ourselves against. However, his birth certificate shows Rains was born at his family's home at 26 Tregothnan Road, Clapham, in the Lambeth district of London. What was Claude Rains religion?. He is questioned about a murder that occurred at a vaudeville theater. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. 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. (he died before he could write the book. There is a problem with your email/password. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. There was an error deleting this problem. Rains signed a long-term contract with Warner Bros. on 27 November 1935 with Warner able to exercise the right to loan him to other studios and Rains having a potential income of up to $750,000 over seven years. In an interview for Turner Classic Movies, Gielgud fondly remembered Rains: I learnt a great deal about acting from this gentleman. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. As an actress, she is known as Jessica Rains. The. He was a Tony Award recipient and a four-time Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting Actor. Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play On 27 November 1935, he signed to Warner Bros. Three years later, he starred in the villainous role of Prince John in the swashbuckler film The Adventures of Robin Hood alongside Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, and Olivia de Havilland. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". He stood at a mere 56, yet his enormous talent and immense stage presence made him a giant among his colleagues. Or videotaped programme, was the son of the best and most teachers. Feedback we would love to hear from you email address and we send! Darkness at Noon at Alvin Theatre/Royale theatre you leave the lights on before going to bed jump a! Extreme poverty memorial using the Edit button below much of his time between film takes up! 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