Vincent Price
Vincent Price, born Vincent Leonard Price Jr. on May 27, 1911, in St. Louis, Missouri, was an American actor known for his distinctive voice, theatrical presence, and his contributions to the horror genre. He had a long and diverse career in film, television, and theater, spanning over five decades.
Price came from an artistic family, with his father being the president of the National Candy Company and a patron of the arts. He initially studied art history and fine arts, earning a degree in the subject from Yale University. Price then pursued further studies at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London and the University of London.
In the late 1930s, Price began his acting career on stage, making his Broadway debut in 1935. He quickly established himself as a versatile performer, with notable roles in productions like "Victoria Regina" (1935) and "The Male Animal" (1940).
Price transitioned to film in the 1940s, and while he initially appeared in a variety of genres, it was his work in horror and suspense films that became his trademark. He became associated with the films of director Roger Corman, starring in a series of adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe's works, including "House of Usher" (1960), "The Pit and the Pendulum" (1961), and "The Masque of the Red Death" (1964).
Beyond horror, Price also showcased his versatility in other genres, including film noir. His appearances in films like "Laura" (1944) and "The Bribe" (1949) demonstrated his ability to bring complexity and depth to his characters.
Price's distinctive voice made him a sought-after narrator and voice actor. He provided narration for Michael Jackson's music video "Thriller" (1983), and his voice work extended to animated films and television shows.
Throughout his career, Price remained active in theater, television, and film, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. He appeared in a wide range of projects, from Shakespearean plays to comedy films, and even hosted his own television series, "The Vincent Price Show" (1971).
Vincent Price was not only an accomplished actor but also a renowned art collector and advocate. He wrote books on art and cooking and was passionate about promoting the importance of the arts.
Vincent Price passed away on October 25, 1993, at the age of 82, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a talented and versatile performer. His contributions to the horror genre, as well as his ability to bring depth to his characters in film noir and other genres, have cemented his status as an iconic figure in the world of entertainment.
Price came from an artistic family, with his father being the president of the National Candy Company and a patron of the arts. He initially studied art history and fine arts, earning a degree in the subject from Yale University. Price then pursued further studies at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London and the University of London.
In the late 1930s, Price began his acting career on stage, making his Broadway debut in 1935. He quickly established himself as a versatile performer, with notable roles in productions like "Victoria Regina" (1935) and "The Male Animal" (1940).
Price transitioned to film in the 1940s, and while he initially appeared in a variety of genres, it was his work in horror and suspense films that became his trademark. He became associated with the films of director Roger Corman, starring in a series of adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe's works, including "House of Usher" (1960), "The Pit and the Pendulum" (1961), and "The Masque of the Red Death" (1964).
Beyond horror, Price also showcased his versatility in other genres, including film noir. His appearances in films like "Laura" (1944) and "The Bribe" (1949) demonstrated his ability to bring complexity and depth to his characters.
Price's distinctive voice made him a sought-after narrator and voice actor. He provided narration for Michael Jackson's music video "Thriller" (1983), and his voice work extended to animated films and television shows.
Throughout his career, Price remained active in theater, television, and film, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. He appeared in a wide range of projects, from Shakespearean plays to comedy films, and even hosted his own television series, "The Vincent Price Show" (1971).
Vincent Price was not only an accomplished actor but also a renowned art collector and advocate. He wrote books on art and cooking and was passionate about promoting the importance of the arts.
Vincent Price passed away on October 25, 1993, at the age of 82, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a talented and versatile performer. His contributions to the horror genre, as well as his ability to bring depth to his characters in film noir and other genres, have cemented his status as an iconic figure in the world of entertainment.
Quotes:
"Someone called actors "sculptors in snow". Very apt. In the end, it's all nothing."
"I don't play monsters. I play men besieged by fate and out for revenge."
"I sometimes feel that I'm impersonating the dark unconscious of the whole human race. I know this sounds sick, but I love it."
"Doing a religious picture is a boring thing because everybody is on their best behavior--hoping for the keys to the kingdom, I guess."
[on House of Wax (1953) and director André De Toth] "It's almost my favorite Hollywood story. Where else in the world would you hire a man with one eye to direct a picture in 3-D?"
[on Gene Tierney] "Gene was the most underrated actress that we ever had! I've known her since she was about 17; and I adored her! She really wasn't a great beauty or sex idol. When you look at Laura (1944), and people ask why it has lasted, I think it's because of Gene Tierney. There's no way she can look dated. Her hair looks modern, her clothes. She didn't have a great body, but had a body that wore clothes well."
"I like to be seen, I love being busy and I believe in being active. I know some people think I've lowered myself as an actor, but my idea of "professional decline" is "not working".
"The best parts in movies are the heavies. The hero is usually someone who has really nothing to do. He comes out on top, but it's the heavy who has all the fun."
- Vincent Price
Trivia:
According to Price, when he and Peter Lorre went to view Bela Lugosi's body at Lugosi's funeral, Lorre, upon seeing Lugosi dressed in his famous Dracula cape, quipped, "Do you think we should drive a stake through his heart just in case?".
He would often attend showings of his films in costumes; often to play pranks on moviegoers.
Loved opera and was an avid gourmet chef, he wrote a number of cookbooks and often used to cook meals for his co stars.
Vincent once told the story of a middle-aged woman who came up to him while on a flight to Barcelona for a fantasy film festival. She was quite excited and said, "Oh sir, could I have your autograph? I can't tell you how many years I have enjoyed your films, Mr. Karloff." Always the perfect gentlemen and not wanting to disappoint her, Vincent brought Boris Karloff back to life and gave the woman an autograph fifteen years after the actor had died.
In his later years, when asked for his autograph, he would often sign "Dolores Del Rio" instead of his actual name. When once asked why, he replied, in complete seriousness, "I promised her on her deathbed that I would do what I could to keep her name alive!".
He was the visual inspiration for the original illustrations of the comic book superhero Doctor Strange/Stephen Strange (created in 1963). Price was 52 years old at the time. Strange's full name is Stephen Vincent Strange.
Had to do about 10 takes of the last scene in the sci-fi horror film The Fly (1958) due to laughing so much.
He would often attend showings of his films in costumes; often to play pranks on moviegoers.
Loved opera and was an avid gourmet chef, he wrote a number of cookbooks and often used to cook meals for his co stars.
Vincent once told the story of a middle-aged woman who came up to him while on a flight to Barcelona for a fantasy film festival. She was quite excited and said, "Oh sir, could I have your autograph? I can't tell you how many years I have enjoyed your films, Mr. Karloff." Always the perfect gentlemen and not wanting to disappoint her, Vincent brought Boris Karloff back to life and gave the woman an autograph fifteen years after the actor had died.
In his later years, when asked for his autograph, he would often sign "Dolores Del Rio" instead of his actual name. When once asked why, he replied, in complete seriousness, "I promised her on her deathbed that I would do what I could to keep her name alive!".
He was the visual inspiration for the original illustrations of the comic book superhero Doctor Strange/Stephen Strange (created in 1963). Price was 52 years old at the time. Strange's full name is Stephen Vincent Strange.
Had to do about 10 takes of the last scene in the sci-fi horror film The Fly (1958) due to laughing so much.
