Vincent Price’s career began on Broadway, in a 1935 rendition of Victoria Regina. He starred as Prince Albert, alongside Helen Hayes, who played Queen Victoria. He made his last appearance on screen with a cameo in Edward Scissorhands, playing the inventor of Edward, Johnny Depp’s character. But before all of the acclaim that his extensive career would offer, Price flew over to the front lines during World War II to perform for the troops, and he did it in full drag.

Throughout his 65-year career, Price accumulated over 200 acting credits. He starred in dozens of horror films, provided a monologue for Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’, and made appearances in popular TV series, including Batman and The Brady Bunch, among other things. Price is regarded as one of the most iconic and beloved horror movie actors of all time, with his distinguishing eyebrows, spooky voice, and signature moustache becoming synonymous with the genre.

Outside of acting, Price studied art history and established an art museum with his wife, Mary Grant. He was also a gifted chef, publishing multiple cookbooks and having several cooking shows in the late ‘60s through to the early ‘70s.

Price was married three times and had two children. Despite his heterosexual marriages, rumours of his sexuality followed him throughout his career and even after his death. His daughter eventually did an interview with Boom Magazine to address these rumours. In her interview, Victoria Price said: “I am as close to certain as I can be that my dad had physically intimate relationships with men. I know for 100% fact that my dad was completely loving and supportive of LGBT people.”

In addition to being the king of horror and a massive advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, Price also showed up for the troops during World War II. During the ’40s, it was common for stars to come together and perform for the young men who were overseas fighting for their countries. This was a way of lifting the morale of those fighting on the front lines. Stars from all divisions of the performing arts would stage shows, including big names like Bette Davis and Rita Hayworth.

Price decided to show up for the troops in style, performing in full drag. Alongside Boris Karloff, the pair starred in a spin-off of The Floradora Girl at a 1942 Navy Relief show, with Price in drag and Karloff dressed as a man.

Vincent Price was not the only one who did this. Many of the men who performed that night also donned dresses, and many of the female performers dressed up as men.

Vincent Price cutting a rug in drag, I believe with the Flora Dora Sextette, 1942. #vincentprice pic.twitter.com/ghhrzueitQ

— Dr. Gangrene (@drgangrene) November 26, 2019

The show garnered a huge audience as some of the biggest stars of stage and screen were performing. It took place only a couple of months after the Pearl Harbour attack, when tensions were at an all-time high.

Price and his fellow stars were able to raise $10 million in bond sales alone. This was a monumental moment for Price, who had yet to hit the heights of his later career.

This wasn’t the last time that Price dressed up in drag. For an appearance on the ‘70s show, The Snoop Sisters, Price got dolled up in full vampire drag and wore the colours of the trans Pride flag on his face. It is unknown if this was intentional or not.

To this day, Vincent Price’s name is synonymous with elegance, humour, and talent. He was a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and an honorary board member of advocacy organisation PFLAG. It wasn’t until decades later that his daughter announced his bisexuality, cementing his legacy as a quiet queer trailblazer.