Sherwood Price
Birth nameFrank Sherwood Gell
Birth dateApril 4, 1928
Birth placeDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
Death dateJanuary 13, 2020 (aged 91)
EducationSchuster-Martin School of Drama
OccupationActor, Producer
Years active1948–1995
Spouse

Frank Sherwood Gell (April 4, 1928 – January 13, 2020) was an American film and television actor. He was known for playing General J. E. B. Stuart in the American historical television series The Gray Ghost.[3]

Early life

He was born Frank Sherwood Gell in Detroit, Michigan, to Louis and Freida Gell, Jewish immigrants from Imperial Russia who had come to the US as young children.[4] He had one sibling, an older sister.[4] His parents had different first languages (Russian and Yiddish); he grew up speaking only English.[4] His father owned a butcher shop.[4] His parents divorced while Price was still a child. His mother remarried, and Price was raised by her and his step-father Herman Glassman, a clothing salesman.[5]

Price attended Central High School in Detroit, taking the commercial curriculum rather than college prep.[6] While still in high school he registered for the draft on April 4, 1946, his eighteenth birthday.[7] The registrar recorded him as being 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 132 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He worked as a dishwasher, theater usher, and gas station attendant to earn money for drama school.[8]

Early stage career

Price enrolled at the Schuster-Martin School of Drama in the Walnut Hills neighborhood of Cincinnati during August 1947.[9] He spent one year studying then joined the school's Little Playhouse Company after graduation. He performed in five plays during 1948–1949, using "Sherwood Gell" for billing.[10][11][12][13][14]

He then joined the Piper Players national touring company in their Oklahoma City debut, where he handled both acting and production chores.[15][16] The Piper Players hit a cash crisis and found their only money maker was doing children's matinees of Little Red Riding Hood, which they played around the country.[17] When the tour he was with reached the Warner Hollywood Theatre, Price decided to remain and left the company, moving in with his married older sister and her family.[18]

By 1952 he had adopted the stage name "Sherwood Price".[8] He was managing a movie theater in Sherman Oaks when he performed in his first film, Scorching Fury.[8][19]

His first known stage credit under his new billing came in May 1953, when he played the lead in the Showcase Theater production of Detective Story, earning high praise from the LA Times drama critic.[20]

Tustin Playbox

Main article: Tustin Playbox

During July 1953 Price took the role of the psychoanalyst in the play Lady in the Dark with the Tustin Playbox company.[21] It was his first work with this community theatre, which he would be associated with for many years. Also in this play was professional Jacquelyn Sue Browne, then billed as "Cathy Browne", but who would later switch to Kathie Browne.[21][22] Price and Cathy Browne took over as co-producers for the third summer season (1954) of the Tustin Playbox, while continuing to act in performances.[23] Browne was very popular with the Tustin audiences, and so often played the female lead.[24]

For the next four years Browne and Price successfully co-produced the Playbox, with each season bringing in larger audiences, including television stars and producers who hired them for screen roles based on their stage performances.[25] The Los Angeles Times noted that the Playbox was actually making money, a rare event for community summer stock. The ailing Laguna Playhouse even recruited the couple to take over producing chores there as well for the 1957 season.[26]

By the 1959 season Sherwood Price Productions assumed sole control of the Tustin Playbox, while Browne's performances there tapered off in favor of her growing screen career. However, for the 1960 season Price overextended himself financially by opening a second troupe in Fullerton, California, causing both to be attached in July by creditors.[27]

Television and other projects

Price's first television work came in the fall of 1955. Mark Stevens arranged for Price to have a role in an episode of the series in which he was starring, Big Town, after seeing him at Tustin.[28] The next year, John Bromfield of Sheriff of Cochise did the same, after watching Price in The Tender Trap at the Playbox[29] Price had parts in three other TV series in 1956, and small uncredited bits in two films, The Revolt of Mamie Stover and the misleadingly titled D-Day the Sixth of June.

Despite the press of activity managing the Tustin Playbox, Price plunged into a recurring role on the series The Gray Ghost.[30] Filmed during late spring of 1957 in Northern California, Price played General J.E.B. Stuart for seven episodes.

Later screen career

Price then played Pete Hallon in the 1959 film City of Fear, which starred Vince Edwards.[31]

Price played Gus Romay in the 1961 film Blueprint for Robbery, which starred J. Pat O'Malley.[32] He guest-starred in television programs including Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Rawhide, Highway Patrol, Perry Mason, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Mannix, 77 Sunset Strip, Cheyenne, Death Valley Days, The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo, Have Gun - Will Travel, and Wagon Train.[33] Price had a recurring role as Owen Carter in the medical drama television series Ben Casey. He also played Lt. Edgar Hackett in the 1968 film Ice Station Zebra, which starred Rock Hudson, Ernest Borgnine, Patrick McGoohan and Jim Brown.[34] In 1969, Price starred with Robert Vaughn in the play The Odd Couple at the Sir John Falstaff Theater in St. Louis, Missouri.[35] He played Felix Unger.[35]

Price died in January 2020, at the age of 91.[36]

Personal life

After a summer working together, Cathy Browne and Price announced their engagement in September 1953.[37] They were wed November 22, 1953, at the Chapman Park Hotel in Los Angeles.[22][38]

In his 2008 memoir, A Fortunate Life, actor Robert Vaughn describes Price as his "lifelong best friend".[39] They were also business partners, making documentaries through their Ferdporqui production company.[40][41]

Stage performances

Performances only, see Tustin Playbox for plays as producer
YearPlayRoleVenueNotes
1948The Hasty HeartBlossomSchuster-Martin PlayhouseWar drama from 1945 by John Patrick; Price was only non-veteran in cast[42]
The Front PageSchuster-Martin PlayhouseAs with all his credits prior to 1952, he was billed as "Sherwood Gell"[11]
Treasure IslandJim HawkinsSchuster-Martin PlayhousePrice had the lead in this Little Playhouse Company adaptation[12]
1949You Can't Take It With YouSchuster-Martin Playhouse[13]
The Time of Your LifeSchuster-Martin Playhouse[14]
1950Boy Meets GirlVogue Theater (OKC)His first play with the Piper Players[43]
George Washington Slept HereVogue Theater (OKC)[44]
Wuthering Heights(Production)Vogue Theater (OKC)Price did only business and production for this small cast play[16]
Curse You, Villain!Vogue Theater (OKC)A melodrama revival played for laughs[45]
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HydeVogue Theater (OKC)[46]
Dear RuthCriterion Theater (OKC)[47]
Little Red Riding HoodTouring CompanyThe Piper Players, low on cash, were reduced to playing this children's matinee [47]
1953Detective StoryDet. McLeodShowcase Theater (LA)His first known stage credit as "Sherwood Price"[20]
Lady in the DarkDr. BrooksTustin PlayboxHis first play at Tustin also starred Cathy Browne[21]
MirandaPaul MartenTustin PlayboxPrice and Cathy Browne played the leads in this Peter Blackmore comedy[48]
Caesar and CleopatraApollodorusTustin PlayboxTony Carbone and Cathy Browne played the leads[49]
BrigadoonTustin PlayboxPrice's supporting role was praised by the Los Angeles Times reviewer[50]
1954Petticoat FeverSir James FeltonTustin PlayboxPrice and Cathy Browne played the leads in this 1935 Mark Reed comedy[51]
The Country GirlFrank ElginTustin Playbox[52]
Bell, Book and CandleNicholas HolroydTustin Playbox[53]
1955Bertha the Beautiful Typewriter GirlVillainTustin PlayboxEarly melodrama played for laughs[54]
The Milky WayGabby SloanTustin Playbox[55]
Night Must FallDanTustin PlayboxPrice plays the suspected killer opposite Cathy Brown's "Olivia Grayne"[56]
1956Born YesterdayPaul VerrallTustin PlayboxRobert Vaughn directed, Cathy Browne played female lead[57]
The Tender TrapCharlie ReaderTustin PlayboxCathy Browne directed this play[58]
1957Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?Michael FreemanLaguna PlayhouseWith Roxanne Arlen, Jack Grinnage, Robert Cornthwaite, Tommy Vize and Brad Trumbull[59]
Bus StopWill MastersTustin PlayboxWith Doreen Porter, Melora Conway, and Brad Trumbull[60]
1958Boy Meets GirlMinor charactersTustin PlayboxPrice played a succession of outlandish minor characters[61]
Dial M for MurderSwann/Captain LesgateTustin PlayboxPrice plays the criminal killed by Browne's character[62]
Anniversary WaltzChris SteelmanTustin Playbox[63]
Charley's AuntLord Fancourt BabberlyTustin Playbox[64]
1959The MatchmakerCornelius HacklTustin Playbox[65]
Tunnel of LoveDick PepperTustin Playbox[66]
1969The Odd CoupleFelix Unger(St. Louis)Robert Vaughn co-starred in this production[39]

Filmography

Film (by year of first release)
YearTitleRoleNotes
1952Scorching FuryWard CanepaHis first billing as "Sherwood Price". It is doubtful whether this film was ever distributed to theatres or exhibited.
1956The Revolt of Mamie StoverSailorAn uncredited role
D-Day the Sixth of JuneAmerican OfficerAnother uncredited role
19575 Steps to DangerUncredited role as one of many killers after Sterling Hayden[67]
1959City of FearPete HallonPrice and Cathy Browne's only movie together was filmed in early spring 1958[68]
1961Blueprint for RobberyGus RomayEnsemble effort, filled with TV character actors and no stars
1963The Man from GalvestonGeorge TaggartThe pilot for the Temple Houston TV series, released to theaters instead
1964The PatsyBellboyA cameo appearance, in a film filled with them
1968Ice Station ZebraLt. Edgar Hackett
1995Last of the DogmenTrackerPrice's last known performing credit
Television (in original broadcast order)
YearSeriesEpisodeRoleNotes
1955Big TownJuvenile GangsPrice's first known TV credit came from being spotted by Mark Stevens at the Tustin Playbox[28]
1956I Led 3 LivesDead ManComrade Adams[25]
Navy LogSacrificeRuss CarterThis starred Phil Tead, with Carleton Young, William Tracy, and Leonard Nimoy[69]
FrontierBoth Price and Browne were in this unknown episode from summer 1956[70]
Sheriff of CochiseStar John Bromfield asked for Price after seeing him at Tustin Playbox[29]
1957Wire ServicePrice and Browne had husband-wife roles in this unknown episode with Mercedes McCambridge[29]
Navy LogIto of AttuG.I.[71][72]
DragnetThe Big Yak[73][74]
The Gray GhostAn Eye for an EyeGen. Jeb StuartThe only recurring role for Price, filmed in Northern California[30]
Horses for StuartGen. Jeb Stuart[75]
The Eve Arden ShowPrice made this unknown episode in between plays at Tustin and Laguna[76]
1958The Gray GhostSealed OrdersGen. Jeb Stuart[77][78]
The EscapeGen. Jeb Stuart[77][79]
Turn of FateThe Days of NovemberKorean War story with Jack Lemmon, Adam Williams, Nick Dennis, Don Kelly, and Jimmy Goodwin[80]
The Gray GhostThe RivalsGen. Jeb Stuart[81]
Secret and UrgentGen. Jeb Stuart[82]
The Gallant FoeGen. Jeb Stuart
DecisionMan on a RaftInternAnother series where star Mark Stevens asked for Price
1962LawmanThe DoctorWill Evans

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