I can't believe it really. I can't believe two things, that Mr. Frid was 87 and that he's gone!
What I do remember is rushing home after school to watch Dark Shadows, everyday. What a show it was! It stimulated and inspired my writing and my love of gothic horror.
I am finding this news particularly sad as well because I had a blog post recently, asking if people were Fridys or Deppys. He originated the role and will be remembered for that.
Mr. Frid was a Shakespearn actor as well. I guess that was why his acting was so superb, particularly for the role of Barnabas Collins. He just always seemed so accomplished, so very perfect for the role: his voice, his demeanor. Each segment of the show was expertly performed.
Perhaps his training at the Yale School of Drama and the Royal Academy of Arts in London had something to do with it.
Dark Shadows was, without doubt, the most original soap opera ever. It was gothic horror/romance and it was on Monday to Friday. I mean I was in heaven as were countless other fans!
He wasn't in it from the start. He was brought in when the ratings began to slip a bit. But then he came and it was magic.
He starrred in 600 episodes. He received 6,000 fan letters a week. I think he must have been one of the most popular actors ever.
This from his New York Times Obituary about his acting in Dark Shadows:
“I’d get this long-lost look on my face,” he told The Hamilton Spectator in 2000. “ ‘Where is my love? Where is my love?,’ it seemed to say. Actually, it was me thinking: ‘Where the hell is the teleprompter? And what’s my next line?’ ”
Here's a clip for you so you can all recall and appreciate once again, the amazing Jonathan Frid. You will never be forgotten, Mr. Frid. Never, ever.
A further note: he makes an appearance in the new Dark Shadows.
I shall miss you, Jonathan Frid!
Wow, Carole. I didn't realize he passed on. I was a Dark Shadows groupie myself, so I'll have to see if I can find more information about his death. Looks like he wasn't immortal after all. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteYes, Kathryn thanks so much for that.
ReplyDeleteSomeone told me yesterday and I was shocked.
I'm originally from New York but I've lived in the U.K. most of my life and sometimes entertainment news doesn't pick up stories like that.
He was such a good actor, so well trained.
I loved those quotes of his, too. And i never realized he got as much fan mail!
Amazing.
I had no idea that he died. It's ironic, too, that he passed away just before the premiere of the upcoming film. However, it's great that he could make that special appearance before his death. May Jonathan Frid R.I.P. He will be missed.
ReplyDeleteI hope they commemorate him at the beginning or end of the movie. They probably will.
Hi,
ReplyDeletethank you so much for commenting.
Yes, it is so sadly ironic, as you say.
I hope they do honor him as well.
thanks again.
Hi, Carole, I just caught this. Glad you were able to post this.
ReplyDeleteI hope that people won't forget he was the original Barnabas, and that the soap opera was really different, as you said, Carole.
The show still has quite a following. I hope to bring that up at some point soon on Bloody Good Vampires (^;
Definitely!
ReplyDeletethanks, Lorelei.
I was reeling when i wrote this post.
had just found out.
so sad coming now, just before pic is released.
we sure will do something on BGV!
great idea.
i think the show started the whole thing--
with vampires, what with Hammer at its height then and then this show coming along.
thanks so much!
xx