Jonathan Frid, the Canadian actor best known for playing the lead role of Barnabas Collins in the 1960s vampire ‘soap opera’ Dark Shadows, has died at the age of 87.

Frid made many stage, film and TV appearances during his career, but it was his Dark Shadows role that turned him into a household name and kept him busy throughout his career with reunions and fan events.

His other credits include the 1973 TV movie The Devil’s Daughter, co-starring Shelley Winters, and Oliver Stone’s directorial debut, Seizure. He also starred in the Broadway revival of Arsenic and Old Lace in the 1980s.

The role of Barnabas Collins is to be played by Johnny Depp in the forthcoming Tim Burton film adaptation of Dark Shadows, due in cinemas in May 2012. Frid makes a cameo appearance in the film. His character meets Depp’s character in a party scene along with two other original actors from the show.

Read the BBC obituary HERE

Photo (c) ABC/Associated Press