Nicholas Pryor, a versatile character actor known for his roles in “Risky Business” and “Beverly Hills, 90210,” has passed away at the age of 89. Pryor died on Monday at his residence in Wilmington, North Carolina, due to cancer, as confirmed by his wife, actress Christine Belford.
In a career spanning nearly seven decades, Pryor left an indelible mark on both television and film. He gained recognition for portraying Tom Cruise’s father in the 1983 hit “Risky Business” and later became a familiar face as Kathleen Robertson’s father on the popular series “Beverly Hills, 90210.”
Born Nicholas David Probst on January 28, 1935, in Baltimore, Pryor honed his craft on stage before transitioning to screen acting. He attended Yale University and participated in various theater productions, including performances with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Pryor’s television career began in the late 1950s with appearances on soap operas such as “The Brighter Day” and “Young Dr. Malone.” He went on to have significant roles in numerous daytime dramas, including “The Secret Storm,” “The Edge of Night,” and “All My Children.” From 1997 to 2002, he played Victor Collins, a former spy, on the “General Hospital” spinoff “Port Charles.”
His recurring role as A. Milton Arnold, the chancellor of California University and father of Claire Arnold (played by Kathleen Robertson), on “Beverly Hills, 90210” from 1994 to 1997 brought him widespread recognition. Pryor also had a notable part in another Fox series, “Party of Five,” as the father of Kirsten Bennett, portrayed by Paula Devicq.
On the big screen, Pryor’s diverse roles included appearances in “Smile” (1975), “The Gumball Rally” (1976), and “Damien: Omen II” (1978). He also played the father of Robert Downey Jr.’s character in the 1987 film “Less Than Zero.”
Throughout his career, Pryor demonstrated his range by taking on roles in various genres, from comedies like “Airplane!” (1980) to dramas such as “The Falcon and the Snowman” (1985) and thrillers like “Pacific Heights” (1990). His final film appearances included roles in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1” (2014), “Doctor Sleep” (2019), and “Halloween Kills” (2021).
Pryor’s television work extended beyond soap operas and primetime dramas. He guest-starred in numerous popular series, including “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” “M*A*S*H,” “Dallas,” “St. Elsewhere,” “The West Wing,” and “NYPD Blue.” He also appeared in several miniseries, such as “The Adams Chronicles” and “East of Eden.”
In addition to his screen work, Pryor had a presence on Broadway, appearing in four plays between 1957 and 1959, though these
productions were short-lived. He later returned to Broadway in the 1970s with replacement roles in “That Championship Season” and “Thieves.”
Pryor is survived by his wife Christine Belford, whom he married in July 1993, as well as his daughter Stacey and grandchildren Auguste and Avril. In a note prepared before his death, Pryor expressed his gratitude for his long-lasting career, stating, “Nicholas Pryor was enormously grateful to have been, for nearly 70 years, a working actor.”
His passing marks the end of a remarkable career that touched multiple generations of viewers across various mediums, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and contributions to the entertainment industry.