Douglas Rain


Douglas James Rain was a Canadian actor and narrator. Though primarily a stage actor, he provided the voice of the HAL 9000 computer for the film ' and its sequel, '.

Early life

Rain was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the son of Mary, a nurse, and James Rain, a rail yard switchman. His parents were from Glasgow, Scotland.

Career

He graduated with a B.A. from the University of Manitoba in 1950, then studied acting at the Banff School of Fine Arts in Banff, Alberta, and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in Bristol, England. He was a founding member of the Stratford Festival of Canada in 1953 and was associated with it as a stage actor until 1998.
He performed in a wide variety of theatrical roles, such as a production of Henry V staged in Stratford, Ontario, that was adapted for television in 1966. In 1972, Rain was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Supporting or Featured Actor for his performance in Vivat! Vivat Regina!

Voice of the HAL 9000 computer

Initially Kubrick decided to cast Rain as the voice of the HAL 9000 computer for the film ' after hearing his narration of a short documentary called Universe and later chose him as "the creepy voice of HAL". He would reprise his role for the sequel, '.

Death

Rain died on November 11, 2018, at the age of 90 at St. Mary's Memorial Hospital in St. Marys, Ontario, of natural causes. He left three children and a grandchild behind.

Filmography