Instantly recognisable actor who defined the horror genre

Vincent Price will be remembered as a towering figure within the horror genre. His distinctive and iconic voice was known throughout the world when he died on October 25, 1993, in Los Angeles, at the age of 82.

He led a varied career, which shifted from the collecting of fine art, to acting, and later to voiceovers. He later became a celebrity chef.

Parkinson’s disease and emphysema troubled his later years. His death was a result of lung cancer: he had been a lifelong smoker.

His 6’ 4” frame had initially threatened to scupper his ambition of an acting career, but he succeeded eventually, despite not finding widespread fame until he was almost 50 years of age.

Vincent Leonard Price Jr. was born on May 27, 1911, in St. Louis, Missouri. In his youth he travelled Europe and attended Yale University, making his acting debut at the age of 27.

He obtained degrees in art history and English, studying in London & Vienna. After a brief period teaching, he decided to try acting full time.

His love of art never deserted him and in 1951 he founded the Vincent Price Gallery, at East Los Angeles College.

After many years of minor roles he began winning more weighty roles in the 1950s, appearing in monster classic ‘The Fly’ in 1958.

A memorable role in ‘House On Haunted Hill’ followed, but his first big success in the horror genre came in 1960, starring in an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘House Of Usher’. This was to prove the beginning of a successful partnership with director Roger Corman.

He went on to star in other Poe adaptations including ‘The Pit & The Pendulum’, ‘Tales Of Terror’, and ‘The Raven’.

He also briefly appeared in the ‘Batman’ series of the 1960s, playing the role of Egghead, a recurring adversary of Batman and Robin.

In later life he became known as a chef, releasing several cookbooks.

Mr Price wound down his acting career somewhat in the mid-70s, turning his attention to voiceovers and narrative work. His last appearance of note came in Tim Burton’s ‘Edward Scissorhands’ in 1990.

Ironically, his famous voiceover in Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ became arguably his most renowned work and ensured that he found a new audience in the twilight of his career.

Vincent Price never allowed himself to remain in one field for too long. When he found himself typecast in the film industry, he was quick to turn his attention to other walks of life.

Mr Price acknowledged and affirmed his eclectic career moves when he said “A man who limits his interests, limits his life”.

Known the world over, references to his work have appeared in everything from ‘The Simpsons’, ‘Saturday Night Live’, ‘Spitting Image’ and ‘Sesame Street’, ensuring that his legacy will live on, allowing future generations to discover his unique body of work.