RIP BARNABAS COLLINS

Toni, the "Human", here:

As I'm sure most of you know by now, Jonathan Frid, the ORIGINAL Barnabas Collins of Dark Shadows, passed away on April 13th of this year.

Below is a link to a very nice tribute from the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/20/arts/television/jonathan-frid-ghoulish-dark-shadows-star-dies-at-87.html

Speaking as one of the legion of "crazed" fans, I myself used to rush home from school every afternoon to watch Dark Shadows.  I confess, I did not become a fan until 1968, but I remained loyal to the show until it's demise in April of 1971. As a matter of fact, I even got to meet Jonathan Frid and take a studio tour in 1969.  He impressed me as a very warm, laid back, gentleman.  In many respects, much like the character he portrayed.

Few actors can claim that they made the role of a vampire "immortal". Jonathan, Christopher Lee and Bela Lugosi all come to mind when one thinks of a film vampire.  Jonathan and Dark Shadows made Gothic popular at a time when the market wasn't overflooded, when a paranormal romance or mystery was unheard of in the publishing industry and long before BUFFY wielded a stake or ANGEL solved a mystery.  A classically trained actor, becoming a pop icon was the last thing he dreamt of becoming, but...he did. and his legacy lives on.

Now Johnny Depp undertakes this role when the big screen remake of 'DARK SHADOWS' premieres on May 11. Big shoes to fill, Johnny. but no pressure.

RIP Jonathan.  Your portrayal of Barnabas will live on, and, just as Christopher Reeve will always be Superman, you will be, now and forever, the true Barnabas Collins.

ROCCO will return on Monday with news of upcoming guests!
Until then...be good!


TONI
ROCCO's Human.