Basil Rathbone

Known for

Popular titles

Photos

More stills of Basil Rathbone

Biography

A closer look

Read full biography

Basil Rathbone, MC, Kt (13 June 1892 – 21 July 1967), was an English actor. He rose to prominence in England as a Shakespearean stage actor and went on to appear in over 70 films, primarily costume dramas, swashbucklers, and, occasionally, horror films. He frequently portrayed suave villains or morally ambiguous characters, such as Murdstone in David Copperfield (1935) and Sir Guy of Gisbourne in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938). His most famous role, however, was heroic—that of Sherlock Holmes in fourteen Hollywood films made between 1939 and 1946 and in a radio series. His later career included Broadway and television work; he received a Tony Award in 1948 as Best Actor in a Play.

Filmography

Movies and shows, newest first

2005
The Adventures of Errol Flynn
Movie Self / Various Roles (archive sound) (archive footage)
1996
In the Footsteps of Sherlock Holmes
Movie
1992
Dracula in the Movies
Movie (archive footage)
1991
Frankenstein: A Cinematic Scrapbook
Movie Baron Wolf von Frankenstein (archive footage)
1986
The Great Mouse Detective
Movie Sherlock Holmes (voice)
1985
The Many Faces of Sherlock Holmes
Movie Sherlock Holmes (archive footage)
1983
The Horror of It All
Movie Carmichael (archive footage)
1979
The Horror Show
Movie (archive footage)
1974
Madhouse
Movie Basil (archive footage)
1968
Autopsy of a Ghost
Movie Canuto Pérez
1968
The Movie Orgy
Movie Self (archival footage)
1967
Hillbillys in a Haunted House
Movie Gregor
1967
Soldier in Love
Movie Duke of York
1966
Summer Fun
TV show
1966
The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini
Movie Reginald Ripper
1966
Queen of Blood
Movie Dr. Farraday