Photo: 20th Century Fox, photographer not identified / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Basil Rathbone was a character actor, stage actor and film actor. Basil Rathbone was born in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa on June 13, 1892. Death is recorded on July 21, 1967, at the age of 75. Awards on record include Military Cross (1918), Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (1948) and star on Hollywood Walk of Fame. The listed height was 186 cm.
My Take
Basil Rathbone is, for me, the definitive screen Sherlock Holmes, and that's saying something given how many have tried. Born in Johannesburg and raised in England, he came up as a Shakespearean stage actor, even winning a Tony in 1948, before becoming Hollywood's go-to suave villain across more than 70 films. What I find fascinating is the range, swashbucklers, costume dramas, the occasional horror picture, all delivered with that crisp, aristocratic menace. He also earned a Military Cross in 1918, which adds real steel behind the polished voice. To me he's the template for the elegant screen antagonist that countless actors have copied since.
This take was written by generative AI, one per person, from publicly reported facts (editorial policy). It is a reading of the record, not reporting.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Basil Rathbone
- Name (Japanese)
- ベイジル・ラスボーン
- Reading
- べいじる・らすぼーん
- Born
- June 13, 1892 – July 21, 1967
- Origin
- Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- Height
- 186 cm
- Occupation
- character actor / stage actor / film actor / television actor / actor
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Gemini / Dragon
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- 1918 Military Cross
- 1948 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
3. Links
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Basil Rathbone born?
Born June 13, 1892.
When did Basil Rathbone die?
Died July 21, 1967, aged 75.
Where was Basil Rathbone from?
Basil Rathbone was from Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.
What did Basil Rathbone do?
Basil Rathbone worked as character actor, stage actor, film actor, television actor, actor.
How tall was Basil Rathbone?
Basil Rathbone was 186 cm.
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