Jonathan Frid Headshot

Jonathan Frid

Date of Death: April 13, 2012 (87)

Birth Place: Hamilton, ON, CANADA

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Jonathan Frid BIO

As a student at Yale, Frid starred in the premiere of William Snyder's play A True And Special Friend. Classically trained, Frid spent thirty years in live theater, starring in the first productions at the Williamstown Theater and stage productions in Canada, England and the United States, though occasionally working in television.

Frid is best known for the role of vampire Barnabas Collins on the original gothic cult television serial Dark Shadows, which ran from 1966 to 1971. He also starred in the movie House of Dark Shadows.

In 1994, having spent 40 years based in New York City, Frid retired and returned again to Canada. He continued to do one-man shows for charities in both Canada and the United States. In 2000, he co-starred in Mass Appeal which enjoyed a successful, limited run in Hamilton and at the Stirling Theater Festival in Canada.

He passed away on April 13, 2012 of natural causes. He was 87 years old.

Jonathan Frid STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1986
Jonathan Brewster [Replacement]

[Broadway]
1964
Bernard Taggart-Stuart (Understudy)

Cousin Edward (Understudy)

Lord Dungavel (Understudy)


Jonathan Frid News


Join the Original Cast of DARK SHADOWS at the Remembrance Weekend


Join the original cast of DARK SHADOWS at the Remembrance Weekend in Burbank, CA on July 5th. Learn more!

COLE HEARTED Comes to The Simcoe Street Theatre in April


On Tuesday, April 11th Theatre Collingwood will launch its 2023 Theatre Season at the Simcoe Street Theatre with a show you may think you know, but you probably don't.  It hasn't been performed in over 20 years!

2022 Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced


Beyond Salem, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, the Young and the Restless, Family Feud, Jeopardy!, Let's Make a Deal, the Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, Red Table Talk, Tamron Hall, the Kelly Clarkson Show, the Drew Barrymore Show, Today Show with Hoda & Jenna, Dr. Phil, Entertainment Tonight, and more.

Photos: Exclusive First Look at DARK SHADOWS AND BEYOND - THE JONATHAN FRID STORY


View Behind the Scenes photos from Dark Shadows and learn about the new boxed set. An unlikely daytime TV hit that became a cultural touchstone for generations of viewers, the gothic serial Dark Shadows continues to cast a spell on fans old and new. Now, the actor who played the series’ tormented vampire Barnabas Collins is profiled in a compelling new biographical film.

DECADES TV Network Presents 'Dark Shadows' Barnabas Episodes Starting Halloween Week


Relive the first gothic soap opera television series Dark Shadows when Vampire Barnabas Collins arrives on DECADES TV Network every weeknight at 12 am ET beginning Monday, October 29th.  DECADES will start airing 260 episodes of the drama featuring the guilt-ridden, 175-year-old vampire as he made his first appearance, which originally aired on April 18, 1967.

Photo Coverage: DARK SHADOWS Celebrates 50th Anniversary


The legendary Gothic-suspense, supernatural series 'Dark Shadows' debuted in June of 1966 and became a cult sensation, attracting 20 million housewives and teenagers at its peak each afternoon with spooky tales and alluring characters including the vulnerable vampire Barnabas Collins, played by the late Jonathan Frid.

DARK SHADOWS 50th ANNIVERSARY Actors from the Original TV Classic Reunite


The legendary Gothic-suspense, supernatural series 'Dark Shadows' debuted in June of 1966 and became a cult sensation, attracting 20 million housewives and teenagers at its peak each afternoon with spooky tales and alluring characters including the vulnerable vampire Barnabas Collins, played by the late Jonathan Frid. 

Photo Coverage: DARK SHADOWS Celebrates 50th Anniversary


The DS Festival's DS Golden Anniversary event took place in Tarrytown, New York, over the weekend of Friday, June 24 to Sunday, June 26, 2016.

DARK SHADOWS' Kathryn Leigh Scott to Guest on Web Show OLD DOGS & NEW TRICKS


Actress Kathryn Leigh Scott, best known for her role in the original Dark Shadows TV series, is the latest name to sign up for a special-guest-star turn in the award-winning gay web show Old Dogs & New Tricks' third season, shooting this fall in Los Angeles.

Photo Coverage: Kathryn Leigh Scott, Lara Parker, and More at Dark Shadows Weekend!


The Dark Shadows Weekend 2012 was held this year in Tarrytown, NY on July 28 & 29, 2012. The weekend of events included Dark Shadows Day At Collinwood. This was held on Saturday July 28 at the historic Lyndhurst Estate. This is the site used for the filming of the two Dark Shadows movies based on the original TV series-House of Dark Shadows and Night of Dark Shadows. Both of these movies are to be re-released in the fall on DVD and Blue Ray in conjunction with the release of the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp movie of this year's-Dark Shadows.

Actor Jonathan Frid Passes Away at 87


According to published reports, stage and screen actor Jonathan Frid passed away on April 13 of natural causes. He was 87 years old.

Photo Coverage: Dark Shadows 45th Anniversary Reunion in Brooklyn


The weekend of August 19,20,21, 2011 brought members of the original cast of TV's Dark Shadows to The Marriott at The Brooklyn Bridge, in Brooklyn, NY.

Depp to Star as Barnabas Collins in Dark Shadows Film


Johnny Depp may go from playing a demon barber to a famous vampire

Jonathan Frid FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Jonathan Frid been in?

Jonathan Frid has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Jonathan Frid been in?

Jonathan Frid has not appeared in the West End

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