Frank Price passed away today at the age of 95 after overseeing the likes of Out of Africa, Back to the Future, Mask, Dragnet and The Secret of My Success and, er, Howard the Duck
A seasoned Hollywood executive who shepherded some of the most celebrated and box office-busting films of the late 20th century, has died at the age of 95.
Frank Price spearheaded MCA’s television wing during the 1970s, supervising programmes such as Kojak, Baretta and The Rockford Files.
Born William Francis Price Jr, he was amongst the rare writer-producers who climbed the ladder to helm both television and film departments, and died on Monday (25.08. 25) in Santa Monica.
His passing was announced by his son, Roy Price, the 58-year old former head of Amazon Studios, who posted on X: “My father, Frank Price, passed away peacefully in his sleep this morning at 95. He lived a full life and we will miss him deeply.”
Frank was appointed president of Columbia Pictures in 1978, subsequently becoming chairman and chief executive. Throughout his leadership, Columbia launched blockbuster films including Kramer vs. Kramer, The Big Chill, Tootsie, Gandhi, Ghostbusters and The Karate Kid.
Moving back to MCA to head Universal Pictures, he continued his winning streak with movies such as Out of Africa, Back to the Future, Mask, Dragnet and The Secret of My Success.
Frank’s professional journey also featured a return to Columbia during the 1990s, where he managed productions including A League of Their Own and Dracula.
Many of the films distributed during his leadership swept the Academy Awards – Kramer vs. Kramer claimed five Oscars, Gandhi secured eight, and Out of Africa bagged seven.
However, not every venture under his guidance succeeded. At Universal, he was held accountable for Howard the Duck, a notorious box office disaster that played a part in ending his professional relationship with MCA president Sidney Sheinberg.
In 1991, Frank found himself abruptly ousted when Sony Pictures chairman Peter Guber appointed Mark Canton to lead Columbia, reportedly walking away with a hefty $10 million severance package.
Frank’s journey in Hollywood began as a writer and producer, joining Universal in 1959 to work on The Virginian, later contributing to Ironside and It Takes a Thief.
While at Universal Television, he was instrumental in creating series such as The Six Million Dollar Man, Quincy, The Incredible Hulk, Bionic Woman and miniseries like Rich Man, Poor Man and Centennial.
His television film credits include Duel, That Certain Summer, The Execution of Private Slovik and A Case of Rape.
Later, Frank established Price Entertainment, a collaborative venture with TriStar Pictures, producing films such as The Bear, Gladiator (1992), Hexed, The Walking Dead (1995), Circle of Friends, The Tuskegee Airmen, Mariette in Ecstasy, Getting Away With Murder, Zeus and Roxanne, Shadowlands and A Bronx Tale.
Born in Decatur, Illinois, and brought up in Flint, Michigan, Frank pursued journalism at Michigan State University after serving in the US Navy.
Before transitioning into studio leadership, he worked at CBS, Screen Gems and NBC.
Frank subsequently held positions on the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the trustees of the Sundance Institute, the board of the Motion Picture Association of America, and as chairman of USC School of Cinema-Television’s board of councilors.
He leaves behind his wife Katherine, sons David, Roy and William – who is married to Megan – and 14 grandchildren.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
