Profile of the Day: Boris Karloff

Did you ever have a fear of Frankenstein’s monster? It may be thanks to actor Boris Karloff’s frightening yet sympathetic turn as the iconic horror figure.

Image: Boris Karloff / Wikimedia Commons

Karloff was born William Henry Pratt on November 23, 1887 in London, England to Edward John Pratt, Jr. and Eliza Sarah Millard. His maternal grandmother, Eliza Julia Edwards, was the sister of Anna Leonowens, whose life in the royal court of Siam formed the basis of The King and I.

In 1931, Karloff catapulted to stardom as Frankenstein’s monster in the film, Frankenstein. He became a master of the horror genre, not only dawning his signature Frankenstein makeup in two additional films, Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein, but also starring in many other scary classics, such as The Mummy.

Did you know Karloff was also the narrator and voice of the Grinch in the classic holiday cartoon How the Grinch Stole Christmas?

Explore Boris Karloff’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re related to the horror icon!

View Boris Karloff’s Geni Profile