Rains was born in London on November 10, 1889. He fought in World War I, and was involved in a gas attack that left him almost blind in one eye for the rest of his life. Rains' acting talents were recognized by Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, founder of The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Tree paid for the elocution lessons that he needed to succeed as an actor. Later, Rains taught at the institution, working with John Gielgud and Laurence Olivier, among others. Rains' first Hollywood role was the title character in James Whale's The Invisible Man (1933). His distinctive voice won him the role: his face was not ...

See also:

Claude Rains, Claude Rains - Life, Claude Rains - Academy Award nominations, Claude Rains - Filmography

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