Basil Rathbone

Philip St. John Basil Rathbone was a British actor known for his iconic portrayal of the detective Sherlock Holmes in films and on the radio. He was born Philip St. John Basil Rathbone to an Irish violinist mother and a British engineer father on June 13, 1892, in Johannesburg, South Africa. His family later moved to London when he was age three, where he and his two younger siblings were raised. And he received his education at Repton School in Derbyshire, UK and then at the University of Cape Town where he excelled at fencing and theater.

Following his graduation, Rathbone began his acting career on the stage and quickly gained recognition for his talent and versatility. Although his father disapproved. After a year of working as an insurance clerk to appease his father, Rathbone left to perform in various Shakespearean plays and other theatrical productions in both London and New York. His portrayal of Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet” brought him significant acclaim.

During WW1, Rathbone served as an intelligence officer in the Liverpool Scottish Regiment and was awarded the Military Cross for ‘conspicuous daring and resource on patrol. Twice he was awarded British Army Fencing Champion, and the lanky 6’1″ Basil kindly shared this skill with fellow actors Tyrone Power and Errol Flynn. Rathbone’s mother died in 1917.

In the 1930s, Basil Rathbone’s career took a significant turn when he was cast as Sherlock Holmes in “The Hound of the Baskervilles” (1939) and “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” (1939). He would go on to play the iconic detective in a total of 14 films produced by Universal Pictures and later by Twentieth Century Fox.

Rathbone’s portrayal of Sherlock Holmes has been widely praised and is often regarded as one of the definitive interpretations of the character. He brought a sense of intelligence, intensity, and attention to detail to the role, making Holmes come alive on the screen.

Apart from his work as Sherlock Holmes, Rathbone had a successful career in other film genres, including swashbuckler films, where he often played villains. He appeared in movies such as “The Mark of Zorro” (1940) and “The Adventures of Robin Hood” (1938), further showcasing his acting range.

In addition to his work in film, Rathbone also had a notable career on radio. He and his frequent co-star Nigel Bruce (who played Dr. Watson in the Sherlock Holmes films) performed as Holmes and Watson in the radio series “The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” from 1939 to 1946.

Basil Rathbone’s career continued with appearances on television and various stage productions. However, his association with Sherlock Holmes remained one of his most enduring legacies. Despite his success, Rathbone expressed frustration that he became so closely identified with the detective that it overshadowed his other accomplishments as an actor. And his father passed away in 1924.

He was a devout Christian but Basil divorced his wife Ethel Foreman in 1926. They had one son Rodion. Shortly after his divorce Rathbone had become a star on Broadway and married writer Ouida Bergere. They had one daughter Cynthia. The couple moved to Los Angeles, and his first speaking movie, “The Last of Mrs Cheyney’. This movie led to ‘Anna Karenina’ with Great Garbo, and ‘The Adventure of Robin Hood’ where Rathbone illustrated his fencing prowess.

Basil Rathbone passed away on July 21, 1967, in New York City, leaving behind a lasting impact on the world of acting, particularly for his unforgettable portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, a character that continues to captivate audiences to this day. A most powerful actor and today you can visit Basil Rathbone’s three stars along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The stars awarded were one for Radio, another for Film and finally for his TV successes.