Frank Price, who was a top Hollywood executive for films such as Back to the Future and Gandhi, has died. Frank served two terms as the head of Columbia Pictures and had a hand in such critical successes as Ghostbusters, The Karate Kid, Boyz n the Hood and Back to the Future. His son, Roy Price, confirmed he died of natural causes at his home in Santa Monica on Monday, August 25.
Roy penned 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.” Tributes have been pouring in for the film veteran, with one person writing: “May peace be with his immortal soul and with all his family and friends.”
Another said: “Deepest empathies, Roy. I hold many great memories of your father back when we were growing up.” A thid penned: “I wish I was old enough to have a beer with him when I went and got that keg for everyone at Knights Landing back in 88!”
The touching obituary read: “Frank is survived by his devoted wife, Katherine, whose love was his anchor; his sons, David, Roy, and William, who is married to Megan; and his 14 adored grandchildren, who brought him endless joy. His family remembers him as a warm, guiding presence whose love for storytelling was matched only by his love for them.
“Frank Price’s life was a masterpiece of its own—a story of vision, heart, and connection that will continue to inspire for generations to come.”
Frank was born in Illinois and began as a writer and later a producer before rising to president of Universal Television where he oversaw hit shows such as The Incredible Hulk, and The Virginian.
By the 1970s he moved to features and later became CEO of Columbia Pictures where he backed some huge blockbusters shuch as Gandhi and Kramer vs Kramer.
When he moved to Universal Pictures, he launched the Back to the Future trilogy and helped establish a new generation of filmmakers such as John Singleton.
Frank could boast that the 10 biggest box offices hits made under his supervision raked in more than $1.5 billion – which was an extremely impressive number in the 1990s.