My heart is too heavy tonight. My all time favorite vampire, Barnabas Collins, also known as Jonathan Frid, has passed on. His death occured on April 13, 2012, and was reported across the world today. His health had been failing in recent months, but he passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 87.

Frid became famous in April 1967 when he put on the caped coat, wore a black onyx ring, and picked up a wolfhead cane. He joined the failing tv series Dark Shadows. Cancellation was all but certain, until he walked into the halls of Collinwood.  Originally scheduled as a 13 week villain, the fan response was overwhelming. There was no way they producers could kill off a character that was rapidly becoming a sensation to daytime tv.

Fans of the original series will have one last chance to say goodbye. Before his death, Frid, along with other original cast members, Maggie Evans, Angelique, And Quentin Collins filmed a cameo in the tim burton movie, Dark Shadows due out in May. Im less than thrilled about Depp in the role that Frid originated, which is a comedic portrayal, but now I will have to see it, if only to see my old favorites, even for a moment.