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Vincent Price (May 27, 1911 - October 25, 1993) was an American film actor. He is most well remembered for his roles in a series of low-budget horror films where his distinctive voice and serio-comic attitude were well used.
Vincent Leonard Price Jr. was born in St. Louis, Missouri. His father was president of the National Candy Company. Price Jr. was educated at Yale and the Cortauld Institute, London in art history and fine art. He became interested in theater in the 1930s, appearing professionally on stage from 1935.
He made his film debut in 1938 with Service de Luxe and established himself as a competent player, notably in Laura (1944), directed by Otto Preminger. He acted as Joseph Smith, Jr. in the movie Brigham Young (1940). In the 1950s he moved into horror films, enjoying the role in the successful curiosity The House of Wax (1953), the first 3-D film to land in the year's top ten at the North American box office.
In the 1960s, he had a number of low-budget successes with Roger Corman and AIP including House of Usher (1960) and a number of other horror adaptations such as The Pit and the Pendulum (1961), The Raven (1963), The Masque of the Red Death (1964), The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) and Theatre of Blood (1973). He greatly reduced his film work from around 1975 as horror itself suffered a slump, and increased his narrative and voice work. For example, Price's voice over is heard in Michael Jackson's semi-creepy music video, Thriller.
His last significant film work was in Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands (1989). Price was married three times. His last was to the actress Coral Browne who appeared with him in Theatre Of Blood (1973). People have said their's was one of Hollywoods great love stories. Friends said Price never recovered from her death. In his later years, Mister Price spoke out against modern "horror" films that glorified violence. He pointed out that his films were harmless spoofs compared. Price was also a noted gourmet cook and art collector. He often spoke of his joy at playing "Egghead" on the popular Batman television series. Another of his co-stars Yvonne Craig (Batgirl) often said Price was her favorite co-star.
Price also starred in the original House on Haunted Hill (1959). The actor playing the same character in the 1999 remake was made to resemble Price.
From 1981 to 1989, he hosted the PBS television series Mystery!.
Vincent Price died of lung cancer on October 25, 1993.