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Jonathan Frid of 'Dark Shadows' Dead At 87

Jonathan Frid, star of the original Dark Shadows television series, has died at the age of 87 in his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario.   The Canadian actor passed away on Friday the 13th.

Frid is best known for playing vampire Barnabas Collins on ABC’s gothic soap opera. The original TV series, created by Dan Curtis, ran on television from 1967-71. Frid also starred in the 1970 movie House Of Dark Shadows.

Jonathan Frid wasn’t originally cast in Dark Shadows, however when he debuted in 1966, he became a fan favorite.

The late legend  also has a cameo in Warner Bros’ upcoming Dark Shadows reboot, directed by Tim Burton.  In the movie Frid joins up with the younger version of himself played by Johnny Depp.

Depp recently  released a statement in remembrance of Frid which read:

Jonathan Frid was the reason I used to run home from school to watch ‘Dark Shadows’,” Depp said in a statement. “When I had the honor to finally meet him, as he so generously passed the torch of Barnabas to me, he was as elegant and magical as I had always imagined. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. The world has lost a true original.” (LA Times; EW)

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