Keith Prentice (February 21, 1940 – September 27, 1992) was an American TV, film and stage actor, whose most famous role was the part of Larry in both the original stage and film versions of The Boys in the Band. He also appeared on the TV soap Dark Shadows during the series' final months in 1971. For a number of years, his picture was displayed on the Taster's Choice coffee label.
Keith Prentice | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | February 21, 1940 Dayton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | September 27, 1992 (aged 52) Kettering, Ohio, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Stage, film, television actor |
Prentice studied in New York City at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. His stage musical credits include Sail Away, The Sound of Music, Paint Your Wagon, and The King and I. In 1968, he appeared off-Broadway in the play The Boys in the Band, a once controversial play featuring gay characters at a dramatic birthday party the Summer before the Stonewall riots. He also appeared in the film version of the play.[1]
In 1971, Prentice joined the cast of Dark Shadows playing Morgan Collins in the show's 1841 plot with parallel time. He also appeared as Nils Fowler in the 1972 film The Legend of Nigger Charley and had a small role in the 1980 film Cruising which, like The Boys in the Band, was directed by William Friedkin.
In 1982, Prentice co-founded Kettering Theatre Under the Stars in Kettering, Ohio, and directed summer shows there until he died of AIDS-related cancer on September 27, 1992.[2][3][4]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | The Boys in the Band | Larry | |
| 1980 | Cruising | Joey |
References
edit- ^ Canby, Vincent (18 March 1970). "The Boys in the Band (1970)". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
- ^ "Keith Prentice". Variety. December 8, 1992. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
- ^ Turner Classic Movies Film Article: The Boys in the Band, Retrieved 18 May 2012
- ^ Dark Shadows Journal Online: Keith Prentice, Retrieved 18 May 2012
