Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

287

Gender

Male

Birthday

1887-11-23

Day of Death

1969-02-02 (82 years old)

Place of Birth

Camberwell, London, England, UK

Also Known As

William Henry Pratt

بوریس کارلوف

Boris Karloff

Biography

Boris Karloff, whose real name was William Henry Pratt, was an English-born actor who emigrated to Canada in 1909. Karloff is best remembered for his roles in horror films and his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in Frankenstein (1931), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), and Son of Frankenstein (1939). His popularity following Frankenstein was such that for a brief time he was billed simply as "Karloff" or "Karloff the Uncanny". His best-known non-horror role is as the Grinch in the television special of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. Description above from the Wikipedia article Boris Karloff, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Known For

Acting

Bride of Frankenstein

1935

Bride of Frankenstein

as

The Monster

Scarface

1932

Scarface

as

Gaffney

Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

1953

Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

as

Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde

Frankenstein

1931

Frankenstein

as

The Monster

Son of Frankenstein

1939

Son of Frankenstein

as

The Monster

House of Frankenstein

1944

House of Frankenstein

as

Dr. Gustav Niemann

Frankenstein 1970

1958

Frankenstein 1970

as

Baron Viktor von Frankenstein

The Mask of Fu Manchu

1932

The Mask of Fu Manchu

as

Dr. Fu Manchu

The Movie Orgy

1968

The Movie Orgy

as

Self (archive footage)

Information Please: Series 2, No. 12

1941

Information Please: Series 2, No. 12

as

Self

Devil's Island

1939

Devil's Island

as

Dr. Charles Gaudet

The Devil Commands

1941

The Devil Commands

as

Dr. Julian Blair

Lured

1947

Lured

as

Charles van Druten

The Boogie Man Will Get You

1942

The Boogie Man Will Get You

as

Prof. Nathaniel Billings

The Black Castle

1952

The Black Castle

as

Dr. Meissen

The Body Snatcher

1945

The Body Snatcher

as

John Gray

Isle of the Dead

1945

Isle of the Dead

as

Gen. Nikolas Pherides

Corridors of Blood

1958

Corridors of Blood

as

Dr. Thomas Bolton

Juggernaut

1936

Juggernaut

as

Dr. Victor Sartorius

The Man Who Changed His Mind

1936

The Man Who Changed His Mind

as

Dr. Laurence

Tap Roots

1948

Tap Roots

as

Tishomingo

Doomed to Die

1940

Doomed to Die

as

James Lee Wong

He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce

2008

He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce

as

Self (archive footage)

Mr. Wong, Detective

1938

Mr. Wong, Detective

as

James Lee Wong

The Black Cat

1934

The Black Cat

as

Hjalmar Poelzig

Bedlam

1946

Bedlam

as

George Sims

The Old Dark House

1932

The Old Dark House

as

Morgan

The Terror

1963

The Terror

as

Baron Victor Frederick Von Leppe

The White Panther

1924

The White Panther

as

Shere Ali's Aide (as Karloff Boris)

The Hellion

1924

The Hellion

as

The Outlaw

The Lightning Raider

1919

The Lightning Raider

as

Riders of the Plains

1924

Riders of the Plains

as

The Prince and Betty

1919

The Prince and Betty

as

Undetermined Role

Forbidden Cargo

1925

Forbidden Cargo

as

Pietro Castillano

Lady Robinhood

1925

Lady Robinhood

as

Cabraza

Never the Twain Shall Meet

1925

Never the Twain Shall Meet

as

Perils of the Wild

1925

Perils of the Wild

as

Without Mercy

1925

Without Mercy

as

Madame Gordon's 2nd Henchman (uncredited)

The Courage of Marge O'Doone

1920

The Courage of Marge O'Doone

as

Tavish

The Golden Web

1926

The Golden Web

as

Dave Sinclair

Cheated Hearts

1921

Cheated Hearts

as

Nei Hamid

Flames

1926

Flames

as

Blackie Blanchette

Flaming Fury

1926

Flaming Fury

as

Gaspard

Let It Rain

1927

Let It Rain

as

Crook

The Princess from Hoboken

1927

The Princess from Hoboken

as

Pavel

The Meddlin' Stranger

1927

The Meddlin' Stranger

as

Al Meggs

Soft Cushions

1927

Soft Cushions

as

The Chief Conspirator

Sharp Shooters

1928

Sharp Shooters

as

Cafe Proprietor (uncredited)

The Vanishing Rider

1928

The Vanishing Rider

as

The Villain

Vultures of the Sea

1928

Vultures of the Sea

as

Grouchy

Burning the Wind

1929

Burning the Wind

as

Pug Doran

Before I Hang

1940

Before I Hang

as

Dr. John Garth

The Man with Nine Lives

1940

The Man with Nine Lives

as

Dr. Leon Kravaal

The Man They Could Not Hang

1939

The Man They Could Not Hang

as

Dr. Henryk Savaard

The Little Wild Girl

1928

The Little Wild Girl

as

Maurice Kent

The Black Room

1935

The Black Room

as

Baron Gregor de Berghman / Anton de Berghman

The Fatal Warning

1929

The Fatal Warning

as

Mullins

The Devil's Chaplain

1929

The Devil's Chaplain

as

Boris

Two Sisters

1929

Two Sisters

as

Cecil

Anne Against the World

1929

Anne Against the World

as

The Unholy Night

1929

The Unholy Night

as

Abdul Mohammed Bey - the Hindu Lawyer (uncredited)

The Bad One

1930

The Bad One

as

Monsieur Gaston

Business and Pleasure

1932

Business and Pleasure

as

Sheik Ali-Ben Joseph

The Emperor's Nightingale

1949

The Emperor's Nightingale

as

Narrator (English version)

The Walking Dead

1936

The Walking Dead

as

John Ellman

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff

1949

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff

as

Swami Talpur

Monster Movie Trivia Quiz

2004

Monster Movie Trivia Quiz

as

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

1966

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

as

Narrator / The Grinch (voice)

Nan of the North

1922

Nan of the North

as

Undetermined Role (uncredited)

The Man from Downing Street

1922

The Man from Downing Street

as

Maharajah Jehan

The Infidel

1922

The Infidel

as

The Nabob

The Altar Stairs

1922

The Altar Stairs

as

Hugo

The Woman Conquers

1922

The Woman Conquers

as

Raoul Maris

Omar the Tentmaker

1922

Omar the Tentmaker

as

Imam Mowaffak

The Prisoner

1923

The Prisoner

as

Prince Kapolski

The Horror Show

1979

The Horror Show

as

(archive footage)

The Invisible Ray

1936

The Invisible Ray

as

Dr. Janos Rukh

Black Sabbath

1963

Black Sabbath

as

Gorca (segment "The Wurdalak")

Charlie Chan at the Opera

1936

Charlie Chan at the Opera

as

Gravelle

Night Key

1937

Night Key

as

David Mallory

The Ghoul

1933

The Ghoul

as

Prof. Morlant

King of the Wild

1931

King of the Wild

as

Mustapha

Curse of the Crimson Altar

1968

Curse of the Crimson Altar

as

Professor John Marsh

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

1947

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

as

Dr. Hugo Hollingshead

Behind the Mask

1932

Behind the Mask

as

Jim Henderson

Tower of London

1939

Tower of London

as

Mord

Heroes of Horror

2001

Heroes of Horror

as

(archive footage)

Black Friday

1940

Black Friday

as

Dr. Ernest Sovac

The Raven

1963

The Raven

as

Dr. Scarabus

Madhouse

1974

Madhouse

as

(archive footage)

Die, Monster, Die!

1965

Die, Monster, Die!

as

Nahum Witley

The Comedy of Terrors

1964

The Comedy of Terrors

as

Amos Hinchley

Alien Terror

1971

Alien Terror

as

Prof. John Mayer

Five Star Final

1931

Five Star Final

as

T. Vernon Isopod

The Criminal Code

1931

The Criminal Code

as

Ned Galloway

The Ape

1940

The Ape

as

Dr. Bernard Adrian

The Mummy

1932

The Mummy

as

Imhotep, alias Ardath Bey

The Mummy's Hand

1940

The Mummy's Hand

as

Kharis (archive footage / uncredited)

The Horror Hall of Fame: A Monster Salute

1974

The Horror Hall of Fame: A Monster Salute

as

Self (archive footage)

Voodoo Island

1957

Voodoo Island

as

Phillip Knight

The Mummy's Curse

1944

The Mummy's Curse

as

Kharis in Flashback (archive footage / uncredited)

The Island Monster

1954

The Island Monster

as

Don Gaetano

The Raven

1935

The Raven

as

Edmond Bateman

Behind That Curtain

1929

Behind That Curtain

as

Beetham's Manservent

The Lost Patrol

1934

The Lost Patrol

as

Sanders

Mad Monster Party?

1967

Mad Monster Party?

as

Baron Boris von Frankenstein (voice)

The Climax

1944

The Climax

as

Dr. Friedrich Hohner

The Strange Door

1951

The Strange Door

as

Voltan

Smart Money

1931

Smart Money

as

Sport Williams

Fear Chamber

1968

Fear Chamber

as

Dr. Carl Mandel

Macabre Serenade

1968

Macabre Serenade

as

Matthias Morteval

Isle of the Snake People

1971

Isle of the Snake People

as

Carl van Molder / Damballah

Targets

1968

Targets

as

Byron Orlok

You'll Find Out

1940

You'll Find Out

as

Judge Spencer Mainwaring

British Intelligence

1939

British Intelligence

as

Valdar

Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome

1947

Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome

as

Gruesome

Unconquered

1947

Unconquered

as

Guyasuta, Chief of the Senecas

Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster

2021

Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster

as

Self (archive footage)

The Sorcerers

1967

The Sorcerers

as

Prof. Marcus Monserrat

Creepy Classics

1987

Creepy Classics

as

Dr. Scarabus - (archive footage)

The Lark

1957

The Lark

as

Bishop Cauchon

The American Nightmare

2000

The American Nightmare

as

Self

The House of Rothschild

1934

The House of Rothschild

as

Count Ledrantz

Grip of the Strangler

1958

Grip of the Strangler

as

James Rankin

Mr. Wong in Chinatown

1939

Mr. Wong in Chinatown

as

Mr. James Lee Wong

The Mystery of Mr. Wong

1939

The Mystery of Mr. Wong

as

James Lee Wong

The Fatal Hour

1940

The Fatal Hour

as

James Lee Wong

The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini

1966

The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini

as

The Corpse

Cauldron of Blood

1970

Cauldron of Blood

as

Franz Badulescu

The Venetian Affair

1967

The Venetian Affair

as

Dr. Pierre Vaugiroud

Tonight or Never

1931

Tonight or Never

as

Waiter

Sting of Death

1955

Sting of Death

as

Mr. Mycroft

Tarzan and the Golden Lion

1927

Tarzan and the Golden Lion

as

Owaza

A Fool's World

1964

A Fool's World

as

Narrator

Cinema Circus

1937

Cinema Circus

as

Himself

The Mad Genius

1931

The Mad Genius

as

Fedor's Father (uncredited)

The Vanishing Legion

1931

The Vanishing Legion

as

The Voice (voice)

Dracula: A Cinematic Scrapbook

1991

Dracula: A Cinematic Scrapbook

as

Doctor Gustav Niemann (archive footage)

The Many Faces of Dracula

2000

The Many Faces of Dracula

as

The Monster (archive footage)

Frankenstein: A Cinematic Scrapbook

1991

Frankenstein: A Cinematic Scrapbook

as

The Monster / Gustav Niemann / Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde / etc.

Gift of Gab

1934

Gift of Gab

as

Himself

The Public Defender

1931

The Public Defender

as

The Professor

Graft

1931

Graft

as

Terry

The Bells

1926

The Bells

as

The Mesmerist

The Nickel-Hopper

1926

The Nickel-Hopper

as

Dance Hall Masher

Oops, Those Hollywood Bloopers!

1982

Oops, Those Hollywood Bloopers!

as

Self (archive footage)

The Sea Bat

1930

The Sea Bat

as

Corsican

The Invisible Menace

1938

The Invisible Menace

as

Jevries

West of Shanghai

1937

West of Shanghai

as

"General" Wu Yen Fang

The Guilty Generation

1931

The Guilty Generation

as

Tony Ricca

A Masque of Madness (Notes on Film 06-B, Monologue 02)

2013

A Masque of Madness (Notes on Film 06-B, Monologue 02)

as

Self (archive footage)

Dynamite Dan

1924

Dynamite Dan

as

Tony Garcia

Monster Madness: The Golden Age of the Horror Film

2014

Monster Madness: The Golden Age of the Horror Film

as

Various roles (archive footage)

The King of the Kongo

1929

The King of the Kongo

as

Scarface Macklin

The Daydreamer

1966

The Daydreamer

as

The Rat (voice)

Cracked Nuts

1931

Cracked Nuts

as

Boris - First Revolutionary

Night World

1932

Night World

as

'Happy' MacDonald

Lugosi: The Dark Prince

2006

Lugosi: The Dark Prince

as

Self (archive footage)

Going Hollywood: The '30s

1984

Going Hollywood: The '30s

as

(archive footage)

The Horror of It All

1983

The Horror of It All

as

Frankenstein / Cabman John Gray (archive footage)

The Miracle Man

1932

The Miracle Man

as

Nikko

Classic Movie Bloopers: Uncensored

2013

Classic Movie Bloopers: Uncensored

as

Self (archive footage)

Two Arabian Knights

1927

Two Arabian Knights

as

Purser

The Phantom of the North

1929

The Phantom of the North

as

Jules Gregg

The Utah Kid

1930

The Utah Kid

as

Henchman Baxter

The Last of the Mohicans

1920

The Last of the Mohicans

as

Indian (uncredited)

Abbott and Costello in the Movies

1990

Abbott and Costello in the Movies

as

Archival

The Eagle of the Sea

1926

The Eagle of the Sea

as

Pirate (uncredited)

The Phantom Buster

1927

The Phantom Buster

as

Ramon

The Juggler of Our Lady

1957

The Juggler of Our Lady

as

Narrator (voice)

The Last Repair Shop

2024

The Last Repair Shop

as

The Monster (archive footage) (uncredited)

Boris Karloff: The Rest of the Story

2022

Boris Karloff: The Rest of the Story

as

Self - Interviewee

Bela Lugosi: The Fallen Vampire

2007

Bela Lugosi: The Fallen Vampire

as

Himself (archive footage)

Old Ironsides

1926

Old Ironsides

as

Saracen Guard (uncredited)

The Deadlier Sex

1920

The Deadlier Sex

as

Jules Borney

The Yellow Ticket

1931

The Yellow Ticket

as

Drunken Orderly

Days of Thrills and Laughter

1961

Days of Thrills and Laughter

as

Self (archive footage)

Hollywood in the Atomic Age: Monsters! Martians! Mad Scientists!

2021

Hollywood in the Atomic Age: Monsters! Martians! Mad Scientists!

as

Self (archive footage)

Colonel March Investigates

1953

Colonel March Investigates

as

Colonel March

The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made

2004

The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made

as

Dr. Bernard Adrian (archive footage)

Skyscraper Souls

1932

Skyscraper Souls

as

Man Approaching Ticket Counter

Monsters on the March (and a Pair of Marvels!)

1980

Monsters on the March (and a Pair of Marvels!)

as

The Fatal Impulse

1960

The Fatal Impulse

as

Self

I Like Your Nerve

1931

I Like Your Nerve

as

Luigi - Pacheco's Butler

Destination Nightmare

1958

Destination Nightmare

as

Host / Ira Perry / Pete Wade Sr. / Professor Charles Goncourt / Morgan Debs

Jack the Ripper

1958

Jack the Ripper

as

Host / Capt. John Elwood / Jonas Atterbury / Dr. Francis Mason

Transylvania Twist

1989

Transylvania Twist

as

Man in Room (archive footage)

Boo

1932

Boo

as

Frankenstein's Monster (edited from "Frankenstein")

Little Lost Robot

1962

Little Lost Robot

as

Host

A Connecticut Yankee

1955

A Connecticut Yankee

as

King Arthur

The Cave Girl

1921

The Cave Girl

as

Baptiste

Mummy Dearest: A Horror Tradition Unearthed

2000

Mummy Dearest: A Horror Tradition Unearthed

as

Self (archive footage)

Terror in the Tropics

2006

Terror in the Tropics

as

Mr. Wong (archive footage)

Bikini Beach

1964

Bikini Beach

as

Art Dealer

His Majesty, the American

1919

His Majesty, the American

as

Henchman in cloth cap

Breakdowns of 1937

1937

Breakdowns of 1937

as

Self

The Cohens and Kellys in Hollywood

1932

The Cohens and Kellys in Hollywood

as

Boris Karloff

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

1975

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

as

Self (archive footage)

The Mesmerist

2003

The Mesmerist

as

(archive footage)

Hedda Hopper’s Hollywood No. 6

1942

Hedda Hopper’s Hollywood No. 6

as

Himself

Karloff: The Gentle Monster

2006

Karloff: The Gentle Monster

as

Self (archive footage)

The 'Frankenstein' Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster

2002

The 'Frankenstein' Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster

as

Self (archive footage)

Young Donovan's Kid

1931

Young Donovan's Kid

as

Cokey Joe

Myrna Loy: So Nice to Come Home To

1990

Myrna Loy: So Nice to Come Home To

as

(archive footage)

The Love Mart

1927

The Love Mart

as

Fleming

The Universal Story

1996

The Universal Story

as

Self (archive footage)

Ian Rankin Investigates: Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

2007

Ian Rankin Investigates: Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

as

Cabman John Gray (archive footage)

The Hope Diamond Mystery

1921

The Hope Diamond Mystery

as

Priest of Kama-Sita / Dakar

Sabaka

1955

Sabaka

as

General Pollegar

The Greater Glory

1926

The Greater Glory

as

Scissors Grinder

Today's Teens

1964

Today's Teens

as

Narrator

Arsenic & Old Lace

1962

Arsenic & Old Lace

as

Jonathan Brewster

The Prairie Wife

1925

The Prairie Wife

as

Diego

Without Benefit of Clergy

1921

Without Benefit of Clergy

as

Ahmed Khan

Her Honor, the Governor

1926

Her Honor, the Governor

as

Snipe Collins

Jack Pierce: The Man Who Made the Monsters

2015

Jack Pierce: The Man Who Made the Monsters

as

Self (archive footage)

Doom of Dracula

1966

Doom of Dracula

as

The Madman (archive footage)

Hollywood Hobbies

1935

Hollywood Hobbies

as

Himself

Screen Snapshots No. 11

1934

Screen Snapshots No. 11

as

Himself

Parisian Nights

1925

Parisian Nights

as

Pierre

Heart of Darkness

1958

Heart of Darkness

as

Mr. Kurtz

The Man in the Saddle

1926

The Man in the Saddle

as

Robber (uncredited)

The Incredible Doktor Markesan

1962

The Incredible Doktor Markesan

as

Dr. Konrad Markesan

Hatchet for the Honeymoon

1970

Hatchet for the Honeymoon

as

Gorca (archive footage)

The Complete Bob Wilkins Creature Features

2012

The Complete Bob Wilkins Creature Features

as

The Storm

1962

The Storm

as

Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman

2007

Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman

as

Self (archive footage)

Monster by Moonlight! The Immortal Saga of 'The Wolf Man'

1999

Monster by Moonlight! The Immortal Saga of 'The Wolf Man'

as

Self (archive footage)

Universal Horror

1998

Universal Horror

as

(archive footage)

Horror!!!

1964

Horror!!!

as

Self

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Special Edition

1994

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Special Edition

as

(voice - archive footage)

Abbott and Costello Meet Jerry Seinfeld

1994

Abbott and Costello Meet Jerry Seinfeld

as

Self (archive footage)

The Dark Universe

2023

The Dark Universe

as

Frankenstein (archivo de imagen)

The Dark Universe

2023

The Dark Universe

as

La Momia (archivo de imagen)

Rendezvous in Black

1956

Rendezvous in Black

as

Ward Allen

Hollywood Scandals and Tragedies

1988

Hollywood Scandals and Tragedies

as

The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.

The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.

as

Route 66

Route 66

as

This Is Your Life

This Is Your Life

as

Self

Out of This World

Out of This World

as

Studio One

Studio One

as

Skaggs

General Electric Theater

General Electric Theater

as

Mr. Blue Ocean

Hallmark Hall of Fame

Hallmark Hall of Fame

as

Cauchon

Shindig!

Shindig!

as

Self - Guest Host / Singer

Thriller

Thriller

as

Clayton Mace

Lux Video Theatre

Lux Video Theatre

as

Sir Arthur Strangeways

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

as

Charles Brandon

Climax!

Climax!

as

Dr. Philip Nestri

The Dinah Shore Chevy Show

The Dinah Shore Chevy Show

as

Self

The Veil

The Veil

as

Down You Go

Down You Go

as

Self

Suspense

Suspense

as

Toff

Robert Montgomery Presents

Robert Montgomery Presents

as

Bennett Kimball

Tales of Tomorrow

Tales of Tomorrow

as

Lights Out

Lights Out

as

Colonel March of Scotland Yard

Colonel March of Scotland Yard

as

Colonel March Of Scotland Yard

DuPont Show of the Month

DuPont Show of the Month

as

Suspicion

Suspicion

as

Judge Winthrop Gelsey

Telephone Time

Telephone Time

as

Starring Boris Karloff

Starring Boris Karloff

as

Thriller

Thriller

as

Self - Host

The George Gobel Show

The George Gobel Show

as

Self

Lux Video Theatre

Lux Video Theatre

as

Montgomery Royle

General Electric Theater

General Electric Theater

as

Henry E. Church

Lux Video Theatre

Lux Video Theatre

as

Larkin

Robert Montgomery Presents

Robert Montgomery Presents

as

The Lux Show

The Lux Show

as

Self

The Name of the Game

The Name of the Game

as

Mikhail Orlov

The Rosemary Clooney Show

The Rosemary Clooney Show

as

Self

Thriller

Thriller

as

Dr. Thorne

Thriller

Thriller

as

Dr. Albert Farnham

Thriller

Thriller

as

Pop Jenkins / Col. Jackson Beauregard Finchess

Thriller

Thriller

as

Doktor Konrad Markesan

Studio One

Studio One

as

Professor Koernig

Studio One

Studio One

as

King Arthur

Hallmark Hall of Fame

Hallmark Hall of Fame

as

Jonathan Brewster

Climax!

Climax!

as

Vicar Tellworth

Suspense

Suspense

as

Suspense

Suspense

as

Bronson

Suspense

Suspense

as

Rasputin

The Red Skelton Show

The Red Skelton Show

as

Professor Townsend (Spy)

The United States Steel Hour

The United States Steel Hour

as

George Redford

What's My Line?

What's My Line?

as

Self

Bones

Bones

as

Imhotep (archive footage) (uncredited)

Shirley Temple's Storybook

Shirley Temple's Storybook

as

Narrator (voice) / Father Knickerbocker

The Wild Wild West

The Wild Wild West

as

Mr. Singh

Production

Crew

Bikini Beach

1964

Bikini Beach

as

Directing