1954 : Shield for Murder as Fat Michaels, The Human Jungle as . Rains' work on an autobiography were halted with the death of his sixth wife, Rosemary Clark. Left $25,000 to the Actors Fund of America. 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. [14][15] According to Rains' daughter, this was the only film of his he ever saw. He also acted on television and continued to appear in films until 1965, when he played King Herod in The Greatest Story Ever Told. His only singing and dancing role was in a 1957 television musical version of Robert Browning's The Pied Piper of Hamelin, with Van Johnson as the Piper. He spent much of his time between film takes reading up on agricultural techniques to try when he got home. This account has been disabled. He was the surreptitiously nervous and malignant Alexander Sebastian in Notorious (1946) and the egotistical and domineering conductor Alexander Hollenius in Deception (1946). During his early years, Rains taught at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA). You can always change this later in your Account settings. He is questioned about a murder that occurred at a vaudeville theater. He knew everybody's part. 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. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". "The Jeffersonian Heritage," Broadcasting-Telecasting, 8 September 1952, 36 (trade advertisement). He was 77 years old. [16] He played the villainous role of Prince John in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938). The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. William Claude Rains, born in the Clapham area of London, was the son of the British stage actor Frederick Rains. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. He designed his own tombstone. Full Real Name. Today Claude Rains would be 133 years old. I was always trying to copy him in my first years as an actor, until I decided to imitate Nol Coward instead. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Rains did return to New York in 1927 to begin what would be nearly 20 Broadway roles. His performance in the play earned him a Tony Award. Rains did return to New York in 1927 to begin what would be nearly 20 Broadway roles. [5] Rains was one of twelve children, all but three dying of malnutrition when still infants. William Claude Rains, born in the Clapham area of London, was the son of the British stage actor Frederick Rains. Nationality. He was seen in a wide variety of classic films, from Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Now Voyager, to The Sea Hawk and Lawrence of Arabia. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. On loan again, Rains played the title character in Universal's remake of Phantom of the Opera (1943). Claude Rains Biography - Famous People On 30 May 1967, he died due to an abdominal hemorrhage, at the age of 77. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. He stood at a mere 56, yet his enormous talent and immense stage presence made him a giant among his colleagues. 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. His second wife stayed with him for less than a year. The two shared the screen four times. 0 cemeteries found in Moultonborough, Carroll County, New Hampshire, USA. Search above to list available cemeteries. He married six times and was divorced from the first five of his wives: Isabel Jeans (married 19131915); Marie Hemingway (to whom Rains was married for less than a year in 1920); Beatrix Thomson (19248 April 1935); Frances Propper (9 April 1935 1956); and the classical pianist Agi Jambor (4 November 1959 1960). By 1936, he was at Warner Bros. with its ambitious laundry list of literary epics in full swing. The farm became one of the "great prides" of his life. . His mother took in boarders to support the family. 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. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Rains moved to America in 1912 owing to the opportunities that were being offered in the New York theatres. Make sure that the file is a photo. When Charles Dickens died on June 9th, 1870, his final novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, was barely half-finished. Oops, something didn't work. Claude was an extremely private manhe never discussed his humble beginnings, his six marriages. Was a teacher at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before coming to Hollywood, whose students included. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Claude Rains (850)? Regarding the always excellent Claude Rains, I particularly like him in Anthony Adverse and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. He died in 1967 from an abdominal haemorrhage. After "Notorious," whenever a picture called for a silky, suave villain . After the war ended, Rains remained in England and continued to develop his acting talents. Deceased (18891967) 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). In 2010, many of Rains' personal effects were put into an auction at Heritage Auctions, including his 1951 Tony award, rare posters, letters and photographs. 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. Not much is known about his parents. How old was Claude Rains at death? With great pleasure and in compliance with the COVID-19 protective measures, we were able to celebrate the success of our 34 apprenticeship . His daughter Jennifer was born on January 24, 1938. After a shear lucky opportunity to dispatch his young wife's lover, Louis Hayward, in a duel, he triumphs over her in a scene with derisive, bulging eyes and that high pitched laugh -- with appropriate shadow and light backdrop -- that is unforgettable.He was kept very busy through the remainder of the 1930s with a mix of benign and devious historical, literary, and contemporary characters always adapting a different nuance -- from murmur to growl -- of that voice to become the person. Rains was offered numerous roles which would have undoubtedly changed his career path, but one way or another he did not play the roles. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. To use this feature, use a newer browser. [24] 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. Claude Akins was born in Nelson, Georgia. Claude Rains: An Actor's Voice, gives voice to the struggles and innermost concerns that influenced Rains's performances and helped him become a universally respected Hollywood legend. Most people were unaware of his chronic alcoholism (he died of cirrhosis of the liver at . Isn't that true? Red Hill Cemetery, Moultonborough, New Hampshire, United States Claude Rains/Place of burial He came to the United States in 1913 but returned to England during. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. As Sebastian, Rains' performance is so indelible that once you've seen it, it's hard to imagine another actor in the role. A year later, he appeared in the titular role in Phantom of the Opera and followed it up with the spy film Notorious as a refugee Nazi agent. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Claude-Rains, Claude Rains - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). In an interview for Turner Classic Movies, Gielgud fondly remembered Rains: I learnt a great deal about acting from this gentleman. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". He was famous for being a Stage Actor. He was then cast in the title role of H.G. 7:15 PM Casablanca (1942) An American saloon owner in North Africa is drawn into World War II when his lost love turns up. In CBS's Rawhide, he portrayed Alexander Langford, an attorney in a ghost town, in the episode "Incident of Judgement Day" (1963). Happy birthday, Claude Rains! Kidadl Team. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. While working for the Theater Guild, he was offered a screen test with Universal Pictures in 1932. What are the physical state of oxygen at room temperature? No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. based on information from your browser. What am I going to do? ; Fact-checked by. Cast: James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains. Four-time Oscar nominee who starred as Captain Louis Renault in Casablanca and as the title character in the 1933 film The Invisible Man. He was the firm but thoroughly sympathetic Dr. Jaquith in Now, Voyager (1942) and the smoothly sardonic but engaging Capt. At age 29, he played the role of Clarkis in his only silent film, the British film Build Thy House (1920). What is Claude Rains famous for? October 22, 2008 He was nominated for four Academy Awards; acted alongside the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, and Jimmy Stewart; and was directed by the powerful megaphones of Alfred Hitchcock, Frank Capra, and Irwin Allen. In 2010, many of his personal items, including his Tony + View More Here Renowned actor Claude Rains lived in West Chester. His acting was superb, and his eyes could say as much as his voice. Look at that lovely girl I've just shot! Rains eventually shed his accent and speech impediment after practising every day. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Please enter your email and password to sign in. In 2010, many of his personal items, including his Tony Award, letters, photographs, etc. 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." Director: Frank Capra. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. The actor lived there from 1938 to 1957, and as soon as he completed a film in . Her screen name is Jessica Rains, as there was already a Jennifer Rains registered in the Actors' Equity. Biography - A Short Wiki Four-time Oscar nominee who starred as Captain Louis Renault in Casablanca and as the title character in the 1933 film The Invisible Man. Nobody will see him come, nobody will see him go. 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. He was a Tony Award recipient and a four-time Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting Actor. He was the disfigured Phantom of the Opera (1943) as well. As a favored 'Alfred Hitchcock' alumnus, he starred in five Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) suspense dramas into the 1960s. 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