Keith Prentice is a notable figure in the entertainment industry, best known for his role in the film "Boys in the Band", a dark and negative portrayal of a group of gay men living in the 1960s.
Keith left his home state of Ohio at the age of 18 to pursue a career in acting, studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He was soon signed to understudy the juvenile lead in the long-running Broadway hit "The Sound of Music", featuring Mary Martin.
After a year and a half in "The Sound of Music", Prentice left to understudy the lead in Noel Coward's "Sail Away", playing the role several times opposite Elaine Stritch.
His other stage musical credits include the role of Julio in Lerner and Loewe's "Paint Your Wagon", and "The King and I", with Farley Granger and Barbara Cook in Washington, D.C. He also appeared in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", "Wish You Were Here", "Fiorello!", "Wildcat", and "Irma La Douce".
In 1968, he appeared off-Broadway in the non-musical "The Boys in the Band", a groundbreaking play featuring gay characters at a dramatic birthday party.
In 1970, Prentice joined the cast of the super-successful supernatural TV soap opera "Dark Shadows", playing more than one role, both of which were rather dour.
After completing the movie version of "Boys in the Band", Keith founded the Theatre Under the Stars in his hometown of Kettering, Ohio, directing productions there for the next decade.
Keith Prentice died in Kettering, Ohio, on September 27, 1992, due to complications from cancer and AIDS.
