Vincent Leonard Price, Jr. was an American actor, who appeared in many classic horror movies and well known for his distinctive oily voice, most notably House of Wax, The Fly, House on Haunted Hill, House of Usher, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Raven, The Masque of the Red Death, and The Abominable Dr. Phibes.
He was the guest star on episode 119 of The Muppet Show (his appearance helped convince Alice Cooper to appear on the show (See Here).
His most notable contribution to Disney is that of the original voice of Ratigan in The Great Mouse Detective. He also narrated the short, Vincent about a boy who's obsessed with Vincent Price. It was directed by Tim Burton who was a fan of Price. The two became friends, and Price would appear in Burton's film, Edward Scissorhands, which became his last onscreen film role before his death.
Vincent Price also provided voice roles as the original narrator and The Phantom in the Phantom Manor ride in Disneyland Paris was later redubbed by French actor, Gérard Chevalier, with only his laughter being used in the original attraction. Price's original recording can be found in The Haunted Mansion - 30th Anniversary released in 1999. The Price narration was reinstated in 2019, intercut with new audio by French actor Bernard Alain, to create a bilingual spiel.
In 1982, Price performed a sinister monologue on the title track of Michael Jackson's Thriller album. A longer version of the rap, sans the music, along with some conversation can be heard on Jackson's 2001 remastered reissue of the Thriller album.
Disney Roles
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Trivia
- Price was originally offered to voice Santa Claus in The Nightmare Before Christmas. However, Price had lost his beloved wife Coral Browne on May 29th, 1991, and he was too frail and in poor health to give a good performance so he declined the offer.[1] Price passed away four days before the film's release in 1993.
- Price was once considered for the role of Barnaby in Babes in Toyland, along with several actors before Ray Bolger was chosen.
