Basil Rathbone (June 13, 1892 – July 21, 1967) was a distinguished English actor who, with his sharp, aristocratic features and piercing voice, became the definitive cinematic Sherlock Holmes and one of the greatest and most memorable villains of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
A decorated World War I hero and a celebrated Shakespearean stage actor, Rathbone was a master of the swashbuckler. He is best remembered for two iconic villainous roles: the cruel and conniving Mr. Murdstone in David Copperfield (1935) and, most famously, the lethally suave Sir Guy of Gisbourne, whose climactic sword fight with Errol Flynn in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) is considered one of the greatest in film history. He also had a flair for horror, starring in classics like Tower of London (1939) and Son of Frankenstein (1939).
In 1939, he took on the role that would define his career and public image, playing the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes. He portrayed the character in 14 films, beginning with The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939), and on a popular radio series. His portrayal was so iconic and influential that for decades, he was the face of the character for millions around the world.
Beyond his screen work, Basil Rathbone was a giant of the stage, winning a Tony Award in 1948 for Best Actor in a Play. Despite his frustration with being typecast as Holmes, his legacy is that of a consummate and versatile performer who created both one of cinema’s greatest heroes and a gallery of its most hissable villains.
