Jonathan Frid's career in drama began when he first "offered his soul" to the theater as a young boy at a preparatory school in Ontario, Canada. Following his graduation from McMaster University, he attended London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and later earned a Master's Degree in Directing from the Yale School of Drama. Mr. Frid was a leading actor in English and Canadian repertory and went on to work in many of the most celebrated regional theaters in the United States, including the Williamstown Theatre Festival, the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, and the American Shakespeare Festival under the direction of 'John Houseman . He won critical acclaim for his villainous turn as the homicidal nephew and spent ten months with the play's national tour. That same year, Mr. Frid founded his own production company, "Clunes Associates", to create and tour a series of one-man readers' theater shows across North America. Mr. Frid continues to perform his one-man shows, now under the banner of "Charity Associates", to raise money for a variety of charities. Combining the arts of his voice and his zest for entertaining", as one critic put it. In June of 2000, Mr. Frid returned to the traditional professional stage in the play "Mass Appeal" at the Stirling Festival Theatre in Stirling, Ontario.
Served as a seaman in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II.
Working with former "Dark Shadows" costar Marie Wallace , Jonathan made his directorial debut in February 1993, with the play "Lion in Winter" at the Georgia College Theatre in Milledgeville, Georgia. Marie starred as Eleanor of Aquitaine.
In the early 1990s, he moved to the town of Ancaster, Ontario, not far from his birthplace of Hamilton. In July 2008, he attended a Dark Shadows convention in Burbank.
Never married, believing the life of an actor was fraught with insecurities.
Died less than one month before the opening of "Dark Shadows" , the theatrical film version of his acclaimed TV series. Frid has a cameo in the movie version. It was Frids last acting role.
(February 2003) Retired: producing his own website and occasionally making appearances for charity
Currently semi-retired, living in Ancaster, Ontario, not far from his birthplace of Hamilton and McMaster University where he was educated. Is continuing to attend Dark Shadows conventions each year, as long as his health lasts. He will turn 85 this year.
(August 2007) Made his first appearance at a Dark Shadows convention in over a decade, the well-attended Tarrytown, NY event centering around his return.
