Colin Clive
Biography
Colin Clive was a British actor born on January 20, 1900, in Saint-Malo, Brittany, France. He entered the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and made his debut in 1919 as 'Claude' in The Eclipse. Clive toured for almost ten years before being chosen for the role of 'Stanhope' in the war play Journey's End. He is most famous for his roles in the 1931 film Frankenstein and its 1935 sequel, Bride of Frankenstein. Clive died on June 25, 1937, at the age of 37, due to complications from tuberculosis. He is known for playing tumultuous characters that often mirrored his personal life.
Career overview
Colin Clive began his acting career, making his debut in 1919 as 'Claude' in The Eclipse. He spent almost ten years touring before being chosen for the role of 'Stanhope' in the war play Journey's End. Clive's performance in Journey's End was notable as he replaced Laurence Olivier, who had another commitment.
Clive is most famous for his roles in the 1931 film Frankenstein and its 1935 sequel, Bride of Frankenstein. He portrayed Dr. Henry Frankenstein in these films, which showcased his ability to play tumultuous characters.
Throughout his career, Colin Clive appeared in a total of 26 known credits, primarily in acting roles. His performances were notable for their intensity and complexity, often mirroring the tumultuous nature of his personal life.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
26 titles- Legacy of Screams: The Evolution of Horror Movies (2025) as Self - (archive footage)
- Monster Madness: The Golden Age of the Horror Film (2014) as Henry Frankenstein (archive footage)
- Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- Universal Horror (1998) as (archive footage)
- Frankenstein: A Cinematic Scrapbook (1991) as Dr. Henry Frankenstein (archive footage)
- Report (1967) as Henry Frankenstein (archive footage - Bride of Frankenstein (1935))
- The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942) as Dr. Henry Frankenstein (flashback) (uncredited)
- History Is Made at Night (1937) as Bruce Vail
- Lancer Spy (1937) as Col. Fenwick (rehearsed only) (uncredited)
- The Woman I Love (1937) as Capt. Thelis
- Bride of Frankenstein (1935) as Henry Frankenstein
- Clive of India (1935) as Capt. Johnstone
- Mad Love (1935) as Stephen Orlac
- The Right to Live (1935) as Maurice Trent
- The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo (1935) as Bertrand Berkeley
- The Girl from 10th Avenue (1935) as John Marland
- The Widow from Monte Carlo (1935) as Eric Reynolds
- One More River (1934) as Sir Gerald Corven
- Jane Eyre (1934) as Edward Rochester
- The Key (1934) as Capt. Andrew 'Andy' Kerr
- Christopher Strong (1933) as Sir Christopher Strong
- Looking Forward (1933) as Geoffrey Fielding
- Lily Christine (1932) as Rupert Harvey
- Frankenstein (1931) as Henry Frankenstein
- The Stronger Sex (1931) as Warren Barrington
- Journey's End (1930) as Denis Stanhope
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Colin Clive best known for?
Colin Clive is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Report (1967), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Super GALS! (2001), Frankenstein (1931).
When and where was Colin Clive born?
Colin Clive was born on January 20, 1900 in Saint-Malo, Brittany, France. They passed away on June 25, 1937.
How many credits does Colin Clive have?
Colin Clive has accumulated over 26 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1930 to 2025.
What is Colin Clive's background in cinema and television?
Colin Clive was a British actor born on January 20, 1900, in Saint-Malo, Brittany, France. He entered the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and made his debut in 1919 as 'Claude' in The Eclipse. Clive toured for almost ten years before being chosen for the role of 'Stanhope' in the war play Journey's End. He is most famou...
Colin Clive by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Bride of Frankenstein (1935) as Henry Frankenstein — aged about 35
- Frankenstein (1931) as Henry Frankenstein — aged about 31
- Report (1967) as Henry Frankenstein (archive footage - Bride of Frankenstein (1935)) — aged about 67
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