Ace Frehley
Biography
Paul Daniel Ace Frehley was an American musician and songwriter born on April 27, 1951, in the Bronx, New York City, New York, and died on October 16, 2025, at the age of 74. He was best known as a founding member and the former lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss, which was formed in New York in 1973. He invented the persona of the Spaceman, also known as Space Ace, and originally played with the group from its inception until his departure in 1982, later rejoining in 1996 until his final departure in 2002. Guitar World magazine ranked him as the 14th Greatest Metal Guitarist of All Time. He was credited with 89 acting credits on the Movie Database platform.
Career overview
Paul Daniel Ace Frehley was an American musician and songwriter best known as a founding member and the former lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. Born in the Bronx, New York City, on April 27, 1951, he invented the persona of the Spaceman, also known as Space Ace. He originally played with Kiss from the group's inception in 1973 until his departure in 1982, and later rejoined the band from 1996 until his final departure in 2002.
Guitar World magazine ranked him as the 14th Greatest Metal Guitarist of All Time. His guitar solos frequently incorporated the minor pentatonic scale and the use of vibratos. Frehley was also recognized for utilizing whimsical guitars, which included a Gibson Les Paul model that emitted smoke from the neck humbucker pickup and produced spinning pyrotechnics, as well as a custom Les Paul designed to emit light based on the song tempo.
Throughout his career, Frehley accumulated 89 known acting credits according to archival data. His life and career spanned decades as a prominent figure in rock music until his death on October 16, 2025, at the age of 74 in Morristown, New Jersey.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
88 titles- From Tokyo to You (2025) as Self - Archive Footage
- Året var 1976 (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- Kiss: Through the Years (2022) as Self
- Biography: KISStory (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- Kiss: Destroyer - 45th Anniversary Super Deluxe (2021)
- Larger Than Life (2018) as Guitar, Vocals
- Larger Than Life II (2018) as Guitar, Vocals
- KISS och gitarristen som försvann (2017) as Self - (archive footage)
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self - Musical Guest
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (2014) as Self
- Celebrity Ghost Stories (2009) as Self
- KISS - THE LOST ALIVE 2 MOVIE (2009)
- That Metal Show (2008)
- Kissology: The Ultimate KISS Collection Vol. 2 (1978-1991) (2007) as Self
- Kissology: The Ultimate KISS Collection Vol. 3 (1992-2000) (2007) as Self
- Robins (2006) as Self - Guest
- VH1 Rock Honors (2006)
- Kiss: Satanik Kreatures - Interviews (2006)
- Kiss - Rock And Roll All Night (2006)
- Kiss: VH1 Rock Honors 2006 (2006) as Guitars
- Kissology: The Ultimate KISS Collection Vol. 1 (1974-1977) (2006) as Self
- Remedy (2005) as Johnny
- Rockthology 2 (2004) as Self (archive footage)
- KISS - Love Gun (2004) as Lead Guitar,Singing
- When KISS Ruled the World (2004) as Himself
- The Best of KISS: 20th Century Masters (2004) as Guitar, Vocals
- Kiss: The Lost Concert (2003)
- KISS: VH1 Ultimate Albums - Alive! (2003)
- That '70s KISS Show (2002) as Himself
- KISS: The Videos 1974 - 2002 (2002) as Guitar, Vocals
- KISS : The Videos 1975-1998 (2002)
- Porn Star: The Legend of Ron Jeremy (2001) as Self (uncredited)
- Kiss: Beyond the Makeup (2001)
- A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas (2001) as Himself (voice)
- KISS - Konfidential & X-Treme Close Up (2001) as Himself
- Kiss [2000] Arte TV Special (2000)
- Kiss [2000] The Last Kiss (2000) as Himself
- Family Guy (1999) as Ace Frehley (voice)
- Detroit Rock City (1999) as Kiss
- Kiss: The Second Coming (1998) as Self
- Rock-A-Big Baby (1997) as Ace Frehley
- Kiss [1997] Toledo (1997)
- Millennium (1996) as Policía enfermo
- Kiss: Unplugged (1996)
- Kiss [1996] Irvine (1996)
- KISS: Reun1ting In Louisville (1996)
- Kiss My Ass: The Video (1994) as Self
- Kiss: X-Treme Close Up (1992) as Self
- MTV Unplugged (1989) as Self
- Hard 'N Heavy Volume 5 (1989) as Self
- Frehley's Comet: Live +4 (1988) as Guitar, Vocals
- MTV Video Music Awards (1984) as Self
- Kiss [1982] Videos From The Elder (1982)
- Kiss: The Elder Media Collection (1981)
- Fridays (1980) as Self - Musical Guest
- Kiss [1980] 1980 TV Compilation (1980) as Self
- Kiss [1980] Sydney Australia (1980)
- Kiss [1979] The 1979 TV Collection (1979)
- Kiss [1979] The Return Of Kiss (1979)
- Kiss [1979] A Visual Evolution 1973 - 1979 (1979)
- KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park (1978) as Space Ace
- Kiss: Media Collection 1974-1978 (1978)
- Young Music Show (1978)
- Kiss: Young Music Show (1977)
- Kiss: Live in Tokyo (1977)
- Kiss [1977] New York (1977)
- Kiss [1977] The 2nd Summit (1977)
- Kiss: Live at The Summit (1977)
- Kiss [1977] Live at Cobo Hall Detroit (1977)
- KISS: Destroys Anaheim (1976) as Self
- Kiss: TV Collection 1974-1976 (1976)
- The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (1976)
- Kiss: Live at the Houston Summit (1976) as Self
- Kiss [1976] Dressed For Cobo (1976)
- Kiss [1976] Detroit 1976 (1976)
- Kiss - (Alive Tour) Cobo Hall Detroit, MI January 25, (1976) as Lead Guitar
- KIiss [1976] TV Collection 1974-1976 (1976)
- KISS Live: Hotter than Hell 1975 (1975) as Self
- Kiss - Winterland Or Hell (1975)
- Kiss [1975] Midnight Special (1975)
- Kiss [1974] Long Beach (1974)
- Kiss [1974] Nothin' To Lose (1974)
- Kiss: Live At Coventry (1973)
- Enter the Fox as Self
- KISS Live in Largo 20/12/77
- KISS: Happy Halloween 1998
- Kiss: The Ultimate Kissology Volume II as Self
- Kiss: The Ultimate Kissology Volume I as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Ace Frehley best known for?
Ace Frehley is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014), Celebrity Ghost Stories (2009), ...And Your Love Too (1962), Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998).
When and where was Ace Frehley born?
Ace Frehley was born on April 27, 1951 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on October 16, 2025.
How many credits does Ace Frehley have?
Ace Frehley has accumulated over 88 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1973 to 2025.
What is Ace Frehley's background in cinema and television?
Paul Daniel Ace Frehley was an American musician and songwriter born on April 27, 1951, in the Bronx, New York City, New York, and died on October 16, 2025, at the age of 74. He was best known as a founding member and the former lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss, which was formed in New York in 1973. He invented the...