Douglas Rain (born 1928) is a Canadian actor and narrator. Though primarily a stage actor, he is also known for providing the voice of the HAL 9000 computer for the film 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) and its sequel, 2010 (1984).

Life and career

Rain was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He studied acting at the Banff School of Fine Arts in Banff, Alberta and The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in Bristol, England.

As a stage actor, his association with the Stratford Festival of Canada spans more than four decades. He has performed in a wide variety of theatrical roles, most notably in a Stratford, Ontario production of Henry V, which was adapted for television in 1966.

In 1972, Rain was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Dramatic) for his performance in Vivat! Vivat Regina!

Filmography

• Oedipus Rex (1957)
• The Night They Killed Joe Howe (1960; TV drama), co-starring Austin Willis and James Doohan
• Just Mary (1960; TV series; voice)
• Universe (1960; short film; narrator)
• One Plus One (1961)
• William Lyon Mackenzie: A Friend to His Country (1961)
• Robert Baldwin: A Matter of Principle (1961)
• The Other Man (1963; TV mini-series)
• Twelfth Night (1964; TV drama)
• Fields of Sacrifice (1964) as Narrator
• Henry V (1966; TV drama)
• 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) as Voice of HAL 9000
• Talking to a Stranger (1971; TV mini-series)
• Sleeper (1973; voice)
• The Man Who Skied Down Everest (1975) as Narrator
• One Canadian: The Political Memoirs of the Rt. Hon. John G. Diefenbaker (1976; TV mini series; voice)
• 2010 (1984) as Voice of HAL 9000
• "The Russian-German War (documentary film)" (1995; narrator)
• Love and Larceny (1985; TV)

[ Source: Wikipedia ]