Dark Shadows’ Original Barnabas Collins, Jonathan Frid, Passes Away

An actor who changed the way we looked at vampires forever passed early this week. Jonathan Frid, the Canadian actor who originated the role of Barnabas Collins was 87 years old. Originally not intended to be a reccurring character on Dark Shadows, Frid’s performance as Barnabas changed the show forever, with the character redefining the way a vampire could be portrayed in popular media.

Prior to his death, Frid filmed a cameo for the upcoming Tim Burton remake of Dark Shadows in which Johnny Depp plays Barnabas.

Frid was an accomplished stage actor, and writer of one-man shows. When Dark Shadows was on the air, he received around 5,000 fan letters a week. He will be missed.