Dennis Price

Dennis Price born 23 June 1915 (d. 1973)

Dennis Price was an English actor.

He was born Dennistoun Franklyn John Rose-Price in Ruscombe in Berkshire and was partly educated at Copthorne Prep School. His first starring role was in A Canterbury Tale in 1944, and he went on to enjoy a long and successful film career, the high point of which was his performance as the suave murderer in the British comedy classic, Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949).

Though he was gay, he was married to the actress Joan Schofield from 1939 to 1950. They had two children.

Price struggled to lead a conventional life during a period in British history when homosexuality was still a criminal offence. On April 19, 1954, Price tried to commit suicide by attempting to gas himself in his London home. Public sympathy led to a resurgence in his popularity and the offer of film roles. However, his private life, which included heavy gambling and an increasing reliance upon alcohol, began to affect his health, looks and career.

His private struggles may has inspired him to appear as a closeted gay man in the ground-breaking British film Victim (1961). His final appearance was in the marvellous Vincent Price film Theatre of Blood (1973).

In 1959, he was the original "No.1" in charge of the crew of HMS Troutbridge in the first series of the long-running radio comedy The Navy Lark but, unable to continue the role in the second series owing to other work commitments.

In 1965, he became popular with television audiences for his performance as Jeeves opposite Ian Carmichael as Bertie Wooster in The World of Wooster.

Price died of heart failure resulting from a hip fracture in Guernsey at age 58 on October 6, 1973. He is buried on the nearby island of Sark.