John Herbert `` Jonathan '' Frid ( December 2 , 1924 -- April 14 , 2012 ) was a Canadian theater , television , and film actor , known for having played the role of vampire Barnabas Collins on the gothic television soap opera `` Dark Shadows '' .
Jonathan Frid ( John Herbert Frid ; December 2 , 1924 -- April 14 , 2012 ) was a Canadian stage , radio , voice , television , and movie actor . He was best known for playing the role of vampire Barnabas Collins on the Gothic British television show `` Dark Shadows '' .