'Dark Shadows' star Jonathan Frid dead at 87 Actor Jonathan Frid in a photo dated October 2011 and posted on his Web site. HAMILTON, Ontario, April 19 (UPI) -- Jonathan Frid, who played vampire Barnabas Collins on the 1960s gothic soap opera "Dark Shadows," has died in his native Canada, his family said. He was 87. Frid died last week of natural causes at Juravinski Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario. His death was first reported Thursday by Digital Spy. No specific cause was given. The actor appeared in the 1973 television movie "The Devil's Daughter" and 1974 horror flick "Seizure." His last acting credit was a cameo in director Tim Burton's "Dark Shadows" movie, which stars Johnny Depp in the role of Barnabas, Digital Spy said. It is due in theaters next month.