Boris Karloff was the first person to star as Frankenstein in the classic 1931 horror film "Frankenstein", directed by James Whale. Karloff's portrayal of the iconic monster is one of the most memorable and influential in film history, cementing Frankenstein as a pop culture icon. Karloff would go on to reprise the role in two sequels, "Bride of Frankenstein" and "Son of Frankenstein".