Kharis

Kharis is a character in the Universal Studios' Mummy film series. He is a high priest who is mummified alive as punishment for sacrilege, specifically, attempting to resurrect Princess Ananka, the pharaoh's daughter and a sacred virgin.

Kharis is typically depicted as a largely mindless, lumbering creature, animated by tana leaves that are regularly administered by a cult devoted to Ananka and the ancient Egyptian gods. He is relentlessly driven to kill those who desecrate Ananka's tomb or otherwise stand in the way of her resurrection.

The character appeared in multiple films including The Mummy's Hand (1940), The Mummy's Tomb (1942), The Mummy's Ghost (1944), and The Mummy's Curse (1944). Lon Chaney Jr. famously portrayed Kharis in The Mummy's Tomb, The Mummy's Ghost, and The Mummy's Curse. Tom Tyler played Kharis in The Mummy's Hand.

The Kharis character is a classic example of a movie monster, embodying themes of ancient curses, forbidden love, and the dangers of disturbing the past. He has become a recognizable figure in the horror genre and a significant part of Universal's stable of classic monster movie characters.