Jonathan Frid was never a fan of the fang aspect of Barnabas Collins and, in an interview with ye editor, admitted that he felt foolish doing that part of the show. The thing that did appeal to him, however, was the “lie” that served as the foundation of the character in (then) present day Collinwood. “It was Barnabas’ lie, that he was pretending to be something that he wasn’t, which motivated me more than any other aspect of the role. That pretense was something the actor playing Barnabas had to remember all the time. He got the lust for blood every once in a while, but always what preyed on his mind was the lie. And of course it played right into my lie as an actor. I was lying that I was calm and comfortable in the studio, just as Barnabas was lying that he was the calm, comfortable cousin from England. He wasn’t at all. He was a sick, unbelievable creep that the world didn’t know about. “
Fans can look forward to seeing Frid in Tim Burton’s movie version of Dark Shadows, presumably in a scene with Johnny Depp in the role of Barnabas.
Lon
March 9, 2012
To this very day, Jonathan Frid is extremely bitter about the role of Barnabas Collins which made him famous. He blames the role for making him type cast and basically destroying what he had as an acting career. He be should grateful but again he is not. I just don’t understand why. I am surprised he agreed to be in something related to “Dark Shadows” like making a cameo in the new film.
Don Karnage
March 9, 2012
I dont think Johnathan Frid is bitter at all. On his blog you can see that he has embraced his fame as the character and is even returning to the conventions. He liked acting the character, just not the vampire aspect of it.
Just my two cents.
Ed Gross
March 9, 2012
Although he may have gone through a few negative years, Jonathan reconciled himself with Dark Shadows and Barnabas a long time ago. Indeed, he even turned it into a virtue, using his fanbase to launch his years of personal readings and one-man performances.
Toby
March 11, 2012
He may have resented the character at one time, but I don’t get that feeling now…
Paul
March 16, 2012
He helped create one of the most iconic TV characters of all time. He was and still is the scariest/creepiest vampire ever portrayed. Yes, more than Lugosi. Jonathan Frid has legions of fans based on his Barnabas role.
John
March 16, 2012
What a lot of fans may not get is that he had a very credible Shakespearean acting career before Dark Shadows, and I can see where he may have been bitter at being known as a TV vampire rather than for his more serious work. However, as has been said, he did reconcile himself with it and use it as a basis for some one man shows.
Erica
March 19, 2012
Jonathan Frid seems to have come around. After being absent from them for many years, he’s back attending the Dark Shadows festivals. I do believe he was the “reluctant vampire” in more ways than one. But it has to feel good to come toward the end of his life and realize just what an icon he is.
Eileen Flynn
March 21, 2012
I just hope he knows how much his fans love and appreciate him. I had a huge crush on Barnabas Collins when I was 12 or 13. I’m now about to turn 55, and have been watching the original DS on Netflix, and Jonathan Frid still makes my heart flutter!
Toby
March 22, 2012
Ya know…when I think of DS and lies, I think of Tim Burton…hahaha!!! Not Barnabas…lol!!!