Philip St. John Basil Rathbone MC was born on June 13, 1892
in Johannesburg, South Africa, to British parents.
His mother, Anna Barbara, was a violinist, and his father, Edgar Philip Rathbone, was a mining engineer.
He was a South African-born English actor, who rose to prominence in the United Kingdom as a Shakespearean stage actor.
He went on to appear in more than 70 films, primarily costume dramas, swashbucklers and, occasionally, horror films.
He frequently portrayed suave villains or morally ambiguous characters.
His most famous role, that of Sherlock Holmes in fourteen Hollywood films made between 1939 and 1946 and in a radio series.
He was the first person to play Sherlock Holmes.
He also played Mr. Murdstone in David Copperfield and portrayed Sir Guy in The Adventures of Robin Hood.
While serving the army during World War I, skillfully disguised himself in various missions.
His later career included roles on Broadway, as well as self-ironic film and television work.
1948 he received a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.
He was also nominated for two Academy Awards and was honored with three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
He was an excellent swordsman.
On July 21, 1967 he died suddenly of a heart attack in New York City at age 75.
He was laid to rest in a crypt in the Shrine of Memories Mausoleum at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.
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