Veteran Producer Frank Price, Shaper of Hollywood Blockbusters, Dies at 95

Frank Price, a veteran motion picture and television executive, passed away on August 25, 2025, at the age of 95. Price had a storied career, serving in leadership roles at several major studios, including MCA/Universal and Columbia Pictures.

During his time at MCA in the 1970s, Price oversaw a period of great prosperity for the company, with hit TV series like "Kojak," "Baretta," and "The Rockford Files" under his purview. He later moved to Columbia Pictures, where he served as president and then chairman and CEO. Under his leadership, the studio released a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, including "Kramer vs. Kramer," "The Big Chill," "Tootsie," "Gandhi," "Ghostbusters," and "The Karate Kid."

Price's influence extended beyond Columbia, as he also had a successful stint at Universal Pictures, where he added to his list of hits with films like "Out of Africa," "Back to the Future," "Dragnet," and "The Secret of My Success." His tenure was marked by both triumphs and setbacks, as he also had to take responsibility for the infamous flop "Howard the Duck."

Throughout his career, Price was known for his soft-spoken demeanor and his ability to usher in an era of prosperity for film executives. He was one of the highest-paid studio heads in the business, and his impact on the industry is undeniable. Price's passing marks the end of an era, as the entertainment world mourns the loss of a true pioneer and visionary.