Definition

Proper noun: * Boris Karloff: The stage name of William Henry Pratt, a British-American actor renowned for his iconic portrayals of monsters and villains in classic horror films, most famously as Frankenstein's monster.

Usage

• Proper noun:
  • Boris Karloff's performance in the 1931 film "Frankenstein" is legendary.
  • The narrator of the animated special "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" was voiced by Boris Karloff.

Advanced Usage

• "a Boris Karloff role": Used to describe a character that is monstrous, sinister, or physically imposing, often with a sense of tragic pathos.
  • The actor was perfectly cast in the Boris Karloff role of the reanimated mummy.

Variants and Related Words

• Karloffian (adj): Resembling or characteristic of the roles played by Boris Karloff, especially in terms of being chilling yet sympathetic.
  • The creature had a certain Karloffian grandeur to its sadness.

Synonyms

• Horror icon: A figure symbolically important to the horror genre.
• Character actor: An actor specializing in distinctive supporting roles.

Related Phrases

• "The Karloff voice": Refers to a specific, measured, and sonorous vocal delivery style associated with the actor, often used for narration or sinister characters.
  • He told the ghost story using his best imitation of the Karloff voice.

Noun

1. United States film actor (born in England) noted for his performances in horror films (1887-1969)