Claude Rains was one of the most versatile and talented actors of the 20th century. He starred in classic films such as The Invisible Man, Casablanca, Notorious, and Lawrence of Arabia. He was nominated for four Academy Awards and won a Tony Award for his stage work. He had a distinctive voice and a refined presence that made him a memorable screen villain and a charming leading man. But how did this brilliant actor die? What was the cause of his death? And what legacy did he leave behind?
Early Life and Career
Claude Rains was born on November 10, 1889, in London, England. His parents were both stage actors, and he grew up in the slums of London. He was one of 12 children, but only three survived infancy due to malnutrition and disease. He had a Cockney accent and a speech impediment that he overcame with the help of a speech therapist. He made his stage debut at the age of 10 in a play called Sweet Nell of Old Drury at the Haymarket Theatre.
He worked his way up in the theatre world, becoming a call boy, a prompter, a stage manager, an understudy, and finally a leading actor. He moved to the United States in 1912 to pursue more opportunities in the New York theatres. However, he returned to England in 1914 to serve in the London Scottish Regiment during World War I. He was involved in a gas attack at Vimy Ridge that damaged his right eye and his vocal cords. He never returned to combat, but continued to serve with the Bedfordshire Regiment until 1918.
After the war, he resumed his stage career, both in England and America. He also taught acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he mentored future stars such as Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, and Charles Laughton. He made his film debut in 1933 as the title character in The Invisible Man, directed by James Whale. The film was a huge success, and Rains became an overnight sensation. He signed a contract with Universal Studios, and went on to appear in many more films, often playing villains or supporting roles.
Hollywood Stardom and Personal Life
Rains was one of the most respected and sought-after actors in Hollywood. He worked with some of the best directors and co-stars of his time, such as Alfred Hitchcock, Michael Curtiz, David Lean, Bette Davis, Ingrid Bergman, Humphrey Bogart, and Cary Grant. Some of his most famous films include The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), The Wolf Man (1941), Casablanca (1942), Kings Row (1942), Notorious (1946), and Lawrence of Arabia (1962). He was nominated for four Oscars for Best Supporting Actor, but never won.
Rains was also active on Broadway and on television. He won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for Darkness at Noon (1951). He also appeared in several TV shows, such as Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Twilight Zone, and Ben Casey. His last film role was as King Herod in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965).
Rains had a turbulent personal life. He married six times, but none of his marriages lasted more than seven years. His first wife was actress Isabel Jeans, whom he married in 1913 and divorced in 1915. His second wife was Marie Hemingway, whom he married in 1920 and divorced later that year. His third wife was actress Beatrix Thomson, whom he married in 1924 and divorced in 1935. His fourth wife was writer Frances Propper, whom he married in 1935 and divorced in 1956. His fifth wife was pianist Agi Jambor, whom he married in 1959 and divorced in 1960. His sixth wife was Rosemary Clark Schrode, whom he married in 1960 and who died of cancer in 1964.
Rains had one child from his fourth marriage: Jessica Rains (born 1938), who became an actress herself.
Death and Legacy
On May 30, 1967, Claude Rains died from abdominal hemorrhage caused by cirrhosis of the liver at the age of 77. He had been suffering from poor health for several years due to his heavy drinking and smoking habits. He died at his home in Laconia, New Hampshire, where he had retired with his sixth wife. He was buried at Red Hill Cemetery in Moultonborough, New Hampshire.
Claude Rains left behind a legacy of excellence and versatility as an actor. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time, and has influenced many generations of performers. He has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a postage stamp by the Royal Mail, and a statue in his hometown of London. He has also been inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame and the New Hampshire Film and Television Office Hall of Fame.
Claude Rains was a legend who brought life and depth to every character he played. He once said, “Often we’d secretly like to do the very things we discipline ourselves against. Isn’t that true? Well, here in the movies I can be as mean, as wicked as I want to – and all without hurting anybody.” (according to The Celebrity Deaths) He was a master of his craft, and a joy to watch on screen. He will always be remembered as one of the finest actors who ever lived.
