Claude Rains

Claude Rains (November 10, 1889 - May 30, 1967) was an English actor.

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Rains was born in London. Gassed during World War I, he was almost blind in one eye for the rest of his life.

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Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, founder of The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, recognized Rains' acting talent and paid for the elocution lessons he needed to succeed as an actor. Later Rains taught at the institution, working with John Gielgud and Laurence Olivier, among others.

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It was ironic that Rains' first Hollywood role was as the star of a movie in which he did not appear until the very end. That was the title character in James Whale's The Invisible Man. It was his distinctive voice which had won him the role.

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In 1939, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

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Following The Invisible Man, Universal Studios tried to turn him into another horror film actor, but he broke free with his Academy Award nominated role in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and followed that up in probably his most famous role, that of French police Captain Louis Renault in Casablanca.

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He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 6400 Hollywood Blvd.

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Claude Rains died in Laconia, New Hampshire and is interred in the Red Hill Cemetery, Moultonborough, New Hampshire.

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November 10: November 10 is the 314th day of the year (315th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 51 days remaining....

1889: 1889 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar)....

May 30: May 30 is the 150th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (151st in leap years). There are 215 days remaining....

Claude Rains related Images and Photos (experimental)

Notorious Cary Grant Ingrid Bergman Claude Rains 1946	The Man Who Reclaimed His Head Lionel Atwill Claude Rains Joan Bennett 1934	Claude Auge	Claude Le Lorrain
Claude Monet Claude Monet French Artist	Count Claude de Forbin	Claude Autant-Lara 1958	Claude Debussy 1886
Claude Debussy French Composer	Claude Bernard circa 1870	Galerie Claude Bernard c.1984	Jean-Claude Van Damme Print