Actor. Famed for originating the role of the vampire 'Barnabas Collins' in the popular supernaturally-themed serial "Dark Shadows" (1966 to 1971). Born John Herbert Frid, he overcame his timidity while a teenager when he participated in a stage production while attending prep school. He focused fully on a career in entertainment and became a member of the Hamilton Players Guild while strengthening his acting skills at McMaster University. His studies yielded to his service with the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II and upon his return home, he resumed his education. After graduating in 1948, he was accepted to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London and later toured with several repertory companies in England and Toronto. During the 1950s, he made a name for himself in Canadian radio before moving to the United States and attaining a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Directing from the Yale School of Drama. He became known to American theater audiences as a performer with Katharine Hepburn in "The Merchant of Venice" (1958) and went onto tour in other notable productions of the period. In 1966, he was hired to play the cursed vampire 'Barnabas Collins' in the ABC daytime serial "Dark Shadows." The part was only to last for a few weeks, however Frid (who possessed a distinctive voice which added a unique element to the role) remained with the cast for the remainder of the series' run, as his tormented centuries-old character (often in clashes with 'Angelique,' the beautiful and evil witch played by Lara Parker) became endearing to audiences. In fact, the 'Barnabas Collins' character became a pop culture phenom during the late 1960s. Frid replayed his famous character in the film "House of Dark Shadows" (1970) and following the series' ended in 1971, he found roles in the TV-movie "The Devil's Daughter" (1973) and the film "Seizure" (1974, of note for being the first feature directing effort by Oliver Stone). Frid would return to the theater and over the years as the popularity of "Dark Shadows" grew, he made frequent appearances at the series' conventions. In 2012, Tim Burton's film adaptation of "Dark Shadows" was released with Johnny Depp playing the role of 'Barnabas Collins.' Frid died from natural causes.