The Man, The Myth, The Legend: Vincent Price

Today, we induct one of my personal heroes and an all-time favorite actor of mine.  He’s one of the most famous classic actors of yesteryear, and a true Renaissance man, and it’s my honor and pleasure to induct him to the Happy Horror Hall of Fame: Mr. Vincent Price!

Born May 27, 1911 in St. Louis, Missouri, Vincent Price traveled through Europe, went to Yale and later became an actor, writer and gourmet.  He became mostly known for his horror film roles, but he also showed a knack for comedic and dramatic roles.  He was also an art collector and expert, eventually donating several pieces from his own collection to start the Vincent Price Gallery and Art Foundation at East Los Angeles Community College in the early 1960s, as well as starting the Vincent Price Collection of Fine Art through Sears & Roebuck between 1962 to 1971 in an effort to make artwork from major artists available to the general public.

Some of his most notable films include the original House of Wax and House on Haunted Hill, The Last Man on Earth (the first of three adaptations of Richard Matheson’s book I Am Legend), several Edgar Allen Poe adaptations (including The Pit and the Pendulum, The Raven, and The Masque of the Red Death, among others), The Fly, The Invisible Man Returns, The Abominable Dr. Phibes and its sequel, and The Ten Commandments.  Notable television roles included Egghead on the Adam West/Burt Ward Batman series (where he is said to have started an eggfight on the set after a take was over) and Vincent Van Ghoul on The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo.

The end of the 1980s signalled the end of Mr. Price’s career, sadly.  His health decreased through 1990, which saw his last movie role, as the creator of Edward Scissorhands.  Three years later, he passed away from lung cancer and emphysema due to his lifelong smoking habit.  He left behind quite a legacy, as you can see.  And so, it is with great pride that I induct Vincent Price to the hallowed halls of the Happy Horror Hall of Fame.  Over the next few days, you’ll see a few examples of his acting career on our site.  I hope you enjoy them.  Take care, everyone, and this is Red Hawk signing out!