Vincent Price
Full Name and Common Aliases
Vincent Price
Known to fans as: "The Master of Menace," "The King of Horror"
Birth and Death Dates
May 27, 1911 - October 25, 1993
Nationality and Profession(s)
American Actor, Art Collector, and Foodie
Prolific actor known for his distinctive voice and iconic roles in horror films.
Early Life and Background
Vincent Leonard Price Jr. was born on May 27, 1911, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Vincent Leonard Price Sr., an architect, and Evelyn Marie Neill. He grew up with four siblings in a comfortable middle-class family. During his childhood, Price developed a passion for the arts, encouraged by his mother, who introduced him to music, dance, and painting.
Price's early education was at the Alcuin Preparatory School, followed by St. Louis Country Day School. He later attended Yale University, where he studied English literature, graduating with honors in 1932. After college, Price moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting, initially performing on stage and later transitioning to radio.
Major Accomplishments
As an actor, Vincent Price's most notable achievements include:
A seven-decade-long film career spanning over 150 films
Notable roles in horror classics such as _House of Wax_ (1953), _The Tingler_ (1959), and _Pit and the Pendulum_ (1961)
Winner of multiple awards, including two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor
Price's talents extended beyond acting. He was also an accomplished art collector and gourmet cook. His collection included works by artists such as Picasso, Dalí, and Miró.
Notable Works or Actions
Vincent Price's most famous roles include:
_House of Wax_ (1953), a horror film about a man who creates wax statues that come to life.
_The Tingler_ (1959), a horror film about a scientist who discovers a creature that feeds on human fear.
_Pit and the Pendulum_ (1961), an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's short story about torture.
Price was also known for his distinctive voice, which he used to narrate documentaries, including the 1959 series "The World of Art." He appeared in numerous television shows and commercials throughout his career.
Impact and Legacy
Vincent Price left a lasting impact on popular culture. His iconic performances continue to captivate audiences worldwide, making him one of the most recognizable horror actors of all time. Price's art collection has also been exhibited at various museums, showcasing his taste for modern and contemporary art.
Price's philanthropic efforts included supporting organizations that promoted arts education and preservation of historic buildings. He was also a vocal advocate for conservation and environmental protection.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Vincent Price is widely quoted and remembered for his:
Charming on-screen presence and distinctive voice.
Talented performances in horror classics, which have become synonymous with the genre.
Artistic contributions as an art collector and gourmet cook.
Philanthropic efforts to promote arts education and conservation.
As a master of menance, Vincent Price's legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists, actors, and fans worldwide.
Quotes by Vincent Price
Vincent Price's insights on:
After all, a love of art is a fine thing for a young boy, but art is long – and life can be pretty damned long too, without our just desserts!
Art is love-times-love; the creator loves it and his audience adores it. To miss the sensation of loving art is to miss a kind of parenthood – false pregnancy perhaps – but as Van Gogh said, “If, defrauded of the power to create physically, a man tries to create thoughts in place of children, he is still part of humanity”... a big part.
Mother had told me her favorite story about a little Protestant lady who, on being told that the candle at the high altar in St. Peter’s had not been out for a thousand years, pursed her lips and extinguished it, saying, “Well, it’s out now.
I’m extremely profane, unconsciously so, when I see something great for the first time; I don’t know why, but beauty and profanity are related to me in the same way. It may be that I want to think of art in the vernacular, but I have no control over what comes out of my mouth when my eyes take in great beauty... it might just be the reason I avoid going to museums with elderly ladies.
San Diego has the finest zoo in America, but the Los Angeles Zoo is not much more than a home for retired Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lions.
The main thing in life is survival. And survival is not just staying alive. It is also a constant effort to grow and to learn and to work.
The jet is a great invention. Besides being a world shrinker, par excellence, it has much of the quality and charm of a roller coaster. And it’s big. Once, years ago, on a ten-stop, cross-country air trip, I turned to the man next to me and said, quite genuinely: “What keeps these big goddam things up in the air?
What do you do when you find yourself out in a lie – even a white one? Well, one thing for sure, you don’t put on black, you don’t mourn and beat out a staccato mea culpa on your breast. You go! Get the hell out! Take a chance! Forget you’re an American, living in the suburbs of success, hoping to move into the big city... You go!
