Vincent Price (1911-1993)

Vincent Price was a versatile and popular American actor who appeared in over 100 movies in a long and successful career and was particularly well known for his appearances in the horror genre. He began his acting career on stage in 1934 and he also made many television, and radio programmes over the ensuing six Decades.

He was an interesting, multi-talented man who loved opera and was an expert gourmet chef. He was also an art collector and consultant, with a degree in art history, and lectured and wrote books on the subject. He was the founder of the Vincent Price Art Museum in California. In addition, he regularly performed on radio programmes, including Lux Radio Theatre, CBS Playhouse and various shows for the BBC.

Biography

He was born on May 27, 1911 in St. Louis, Missouri with the birth name of Vincent Leonard Price Jr.. His family were well off and his father, Vincent senior was President of the National Candy Company, famous for its jelly beans. His grandfather, also called Vincent, was the inventor of Dr. Price's Baking Powder, which was the original source of the family's wealth.

After attending the St Louis Country Day School, Vincent went on to the Milford Academy in Milford, Connecticut, graduating in 1933 with a degree in English. He also studied art history and in 1934 he travelled to London to further his art studies. His plans changed after numerous visits to London's theatres gave him the acting bug and persuaded him to take up a career on the stage.

The Young Stage Actor

Vinvcent first appeared on stage as a professional actor in 1935 in the play 'Chicago' at the Gate Theatre in London. At the same theatre that year he played Prince Albert in 'Victoria Regina' and the following year for two years he reprised the role in the Broadway production' opposite Helen Hayes in the title role.

Vincent was gaining excellent reviews and building a reputation as a skilled and versatile actor. In early 1938, he was invited to join Orson Welles's Mercury Theatre on a five-play contract, beginning with 'The Shoemaker's Holiday' for which he received very positive reviews.

From 1941 to 1942, Price played Mr. Manningham in 'Angel Street', the Broadway production of 'Gas Light', which he had helped bring to America.

Early Movie Career

Vincent was regarded at first as a movie character actor and he made his film debut in the comedy 'Service de Luxe ' in 1938, followed by a number of minor films. He established himself as a major Hollywood prescence in 'The Song of Bernadette' in 1943 and 'Laura' the following year opposite Gene Tierney.

Although best remembered today for his appearances in the horror genre, Vinvent also was cast numerous times as historical figures such as Sir Walter Raleigh in 'The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex' in 1939, Mormon leader Joseph Smith, King Charles II in 'Hudson's Bay' in 1941, and Cardinal Richelieu in 'The Three Musketeers' in 1948.

Horror Films

Price's first venture into the horror genre, for which he later became famous, was in The Boris Karloff film 'Tower of London' in 1939 and in the following year, he portrayed the Invisible Man in 'The Invisible Man Returns'. In 1948 he reprised the role in a voice-only cameo in the closing scene of the horror-comedy spoof 'Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein'.

After 'Leave Her to Heaven' in 1945 and 'Dragonwyck' the following year he played a series of villains in several film noir thrillers such as 'The Web' in 1947, 'Rogues' Regiment' in 1948, and 'The Bribe' in 1949.

During the early 1950s he played more horror-film roles beginning with the leading role of a homicidal sculptor in 'House of Wax' in 1953 and continuing with 'The Mad Magician' in 1954, 'The Fly' in 1958, and its sequel 'Return of the Fly' the following year.

He continued in the horror theme with two more films in 1959, 'House on Haunted Hill' and 'The Tingler' and he then appeared in the radio drama 'Three Skeleton Key'.

During the rest of the decade, Vincent played variations on the same theme in 'City in the Sea' in 1965 and 'Witchfinder General' in 1968. He appeared in the Batman film of 1966 spoofing his screen self as the villain, Egghead. He played horror comedy again in 1971 in 'The Abominable Dr. Phibes' and in its sequel 'Dr. Phibes Rises Again' the following year.

Later Career

As his movie career wound down Vincent lessened his output and restricted himself to TV guest appearances and film voice--overs. He gave a masterly performance in the black comedy 'Theater of Blood' in 1973 and as the narrator in Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' in 1983. His final role was as the inventor in 'Edward Scissorhands' in 1990, a role written especially for him.

Personal

Vincent was married three times. His first wife was actress Edith Barrett with whom he had one son.before divorcing in 1948. In 1949 he married costume designer Mary Grant. The couple had one daughter and divorced in 1973. The following year Vincent married Australian actress Coral Browne, whom he met during the filming of 'Theatre of Blood'. The couple remained together until Coral's death in 1991.

Vincent Price died on October 25, 1993, of lung cancer at his home in Los Angeles. He was 82 years old. He was cremated and his ashes scattered off Point Dume in Malibu, California.

Vincent Price Filmography