Rain was born in Winnipeg but spent much of his life in Stratford, where he was a founding member of the Stratford Festival company. Over 32 seasons with the festival, he played roles like the title role in Henry V, Iago in Othello and Malvolio in Twelfth Night.
His most famous role, however, was in Kubrick's 1968 film adaptation of 2001: A Space Odyssey. He voiced the antagonistic heuristically programmed algorithmic computer HAL 9000. He reprised the role in 1984's sequel 2010: The Year We Make Contact, directed by Peter Hyams.
The Stratford Festival sent out a message of condolences to the late actor.
Today we lost Douglas Rain, a member of our founding company and a hugely esteemed presence on our stages for 32 seasons. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. pic.twitter.com/dxcffgGEiA
— Stratford Festival (@stratfest) November 12, 2018
Other prominent sci-fi fans and filmmakers have also paid homage to Rain. See some of those messages below.
"Dave, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye." Douglas Rain, 13 March, 1928 - 11 November, 2018. #HAL9000 pic.twitter.com/p742YU7VdT
— Stanley Kubrick (@StanleyKubrick) November 12, 2018
RIP Douglas Rain, the chillingly calm tones of HAL 9000 in '2001: A Space Odyssey'. One of the best performances in film, with just his voice. pic.twitter.com/79Jr8iOWK6
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) November 12, 2018
Douglas Rain died today. Kubrick chose him as the voice of HAL in 2001 after hearing his narration in Universe, an NFB doc by Colin Low. Here he is as Henry V in Stratford in 1966. pic.twitter.com/Hdpq7IcfdS
— brent bambury (@notrexmurphy) November 11, 2018
Very sad to report that Douglas Rain has died. An actor most famous for providing the voice of Hal-9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey and its sequel 2010.
— David Blanchflower BSc (@DavidBflower) November 11, 2018
