Rathbone was born in South Africa but educated in England, where in 1911 he debuted onstage. He went on to perform in both England and the U.S. in numerous classical roles, including much Shakespeare. He entered films in the early '20s and moved to Hollywood in 1924. At first cast often in romantic leads, in the early sound era Rathbone became the screen's finest villain, characterised by his distinguished voice, polished manner, and gaunt, saturnine, cerebral persona. In the '40s he became even more popular as cinema's most prolific portrayer of Sherlock Holmes, appearing in that guise in 14 films. Throughout his career he frequently returned to the stage, notably in the '50s drama J.B. For his work in Romeo and Juliet (1936) and If I Were King (1938) he received nominations for Best Supporting Actor Oscars. He was married to actress-screenwriter Ouida Bergere.