Actor
Colin Clive
Born 20 January 1900 · Saint-Malo, Brittany, France — died 25 June 1937
Colin Clive (1900–1937) was a British actor, born in France, who played intense, tormented men. He is best remembered as Dr. Henry Frankenstein in Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, performances that helped define the Universal horror cycle of the 1930s. He died at 37.
Key films
Journey's End (1930)
Screen version of the First World War play in which he had starred on stage as Stanhope, leading to his Hollywood career.
Frankenstein (1931)On Cinespective
His signature role as Henry Frankenstein, delivering the famous 'It's alive!' scene in a landmark horror film.
Christopher Strong (1933)
Drama directed by Dorothy Arzner in which he co-starred with Katharine Hepburn.
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Returned as Henry Frankenstein in the acclaimed sequel, often ranked among the finest classic horror films.
Mad Love (1935)
Played the pianist Stephen Orlac in a celebrated horror film opposite Peter Lorre.
Key awards
No major awards are documented here.
On Cinespective
Full filmography · 26
- 1930Journey's End · as Denis StanhopeActor
- 1931Frankenstein · as Henry FrankensteinActor
- 1931The Stronger Sex · as Warren BarringtonActor
- 1932Lily Christine · as Rupert HarveyActor
- 1933Christopher Strong · as Sir Christopher StrongActor
- 1933Looking Forward · as Geoffrey FieldingActor
- 1934Jane Eyre · as Edward RochesterActor
- 1934The Key · as Capt. Andrew 'Andy' KerrActor
- 1934One More River · as Sir Gerald CorvenActor
- 1935Bride of Frankenstein · as Henry FrankensteinActor
- 1935Mad Love · as Stephen OrlacActor
- 1935Clive of India · as Capt. JohnstoneActor
- 1935The Girl from 10th Avenue · as John MarlandActor
- 1935The Right to Live · as Maurice TrentActor
- 1935The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo · as Bertrand BerkeleyActor
- 1935The Widow from Monte Carlo · as Eric ReynoldsActor
- 1937History Is Made at Night · as Bruce VailActor
- 1937Lancer Spy · as Col. Fenwick (rehearsed only) (uncredited)Actor
- 1937The Woman I Love · as Capt. ThelisActor
- 1942The Ghost of Frankenstein · as Dr. Henry Frankenstein (flashback) (uncredited)Actor
- 1967Report · as Henry Frankenstein (archive footage - Bride of Frankenstein (1935))Actor
- 1991Frankenstein: A Cinematic Scrapbook · as Dr. Henry Frankenstein (archive footage)Actor
- 1998Universal Horror · as (archive footage)Actor
- 2007Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman · as Self (archive footage)Actor
- 2014Monster Madness: The Golden Age of the Horror Film · as Henry Frankenstein (archive footage)Actor
- 2025Legacy of Screams: The Evolution of Horror Movies · as Self (archive footage)Actor
Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.