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Vincent Price

Vincent Price was an American actor born in St.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Vincent Price was an American actor born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1911 and died in Los Angeles, California, in 1993. He was best known for his performances in horror films, where his cultivated manner and distinctive voice made him one of the genre’s most recognisable figures. His acting career spanned film, stage, television, and radio.

Early life

Vincent Price was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1911 and came from a prosperous family. He was educated in art history and later active in theatre before building a screen career.

Acting career

Price worked across film, stage, television, and radio, with early success in non-horror roles and later fame as a horror-film star. His performances in films such as House of Wax helped establish the persona for which he is best remembered.

Public image and style

He was known for a cultured, aristocratic presence, a silken voice, and a self-aware style that suited both villains and dramatic roles. These qualities made him especially effective in Gothic and horror stories.

Other interests

Beyond acting, Price was associated with art history and art collecting, and he was known for wider cultural interests. Some sources also describe him as a lecturer and writer on art-related subjects.

Key facts

  • Price appeared in more than 100 films and also worked in theatre, television, and radio.
  • He became closely associated with horror cinema, especially in performances noted for their elegance and menace.
  • He also had interests and work beyond acting, including art history and art collecting.
  • He received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for film and one for television.
  • His later screen work included a role in Edward Scissorhands (1990).
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Canadian context

Vincent Price had enduring popularity in Canadian horror and classic-film culture through television broadcasts, repertory screenings, and later home-video circulation, but no major Canada-specific biographical link is evident from the sources provided.

Frequently asked questions

What was Vincent Price best known for?
He was best known for horror films and for playing debonair, menacing villains with a distinctive voice.
When was Vincent Price born?
He was born on May 27, 1911.
When did Vincent Price die?
He died on October 25, 1993, in Los Angeles, California.
What other work did Vincent Price do besides acting?
Sources describe him as an art historian and art collector, and some note work as a lecturer and writer on art.
Did Vincent Price work in television?
Yes. He worked in television as well as film, theatre, and radio, and received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star for television.
What is one of Vincent Price’s well-known later roles?
One of his later film roles was in Edward Scissorhands (1990).

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vincent-Price
    Supports: Birth, death, nationality, and his reputation in horror films.
  2. The Encyclopedia of Missouri Online — https://missouriencyclopedia.org/people/price-vincent
    Supports: Birthplace, broad career across stage/screen/television, and death details.
  3. Turner Classic Movies — https://www.tcm.com/articles/114209/vincent-price-profile
    Supports: Career overview, art history studies, and later film appearances.
  4. Vincent Price Official Legacy Site — https://www.vincentprice.com/pages/about-vincent-price
    Supports: Career path, major films, and public persona.
  5. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Price
    Supports: Art history background, art museum association, and general career summary.