Veteran actor Nicholas Pryor, who worked on popular TV shows such as Beverly Hills, 90210, and General Hospital, died on October 7, 2024, aged 89, his agent, Susan Tolar Walters, announced, confirming he had a battle with cancer, which he lost in Wilmington, North Carolina. Pryor is one of the household names; during nearly 70 years of service, he became a big as well as small screen phenomenon with his enactments of paternal figures and character roles cutting across several genres.
A Prolific Career
Pryor’s career began way back in the 1960s, when he became part of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and many more dramas on TV. However, it was only in 1983 when he portrayed the father of Tom Cruise in the movie Risky Business, which gave him a footing in Hollywood. He proved his versatility as an actor in Less Than Zero (1987), playing the father of Robert Downey Jr.
He was perhaps best known, however, for his role as Chancellor Milton Arnold on television in Beverly Hills, 90210, from 1994 to 1997, wherein he played the father of Kathleen Robertson’s character, Clare Arnold. One of his major roles was Victor Collins in the spinoff of General Hospital, Port Charles, which he appeared in from 1997 through 2002. His soap work dated back further still, with appearances in All My Children, Another World, and The Edge of Night during the course of his career.
Pryor continued well into the 2000s, with important work in such big movies as The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 1, Doctor Sleep, and he even scored a small role in Halloween Kills in 2021. He was just as active on television, appearing in series such as Nashville, The West Wing, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and NYPD Blue.
Entertainment World Pays Respect
Tracing the sad news of his death, tributes to Pryor started pouring in from fans and other actors and actresses. His Port Charles co-star Jon Lindstrom shared his grief on social media, which found him describing Nick Pryor as an actor who not only was fantastic but also a close friend and even a mentor. “Nick was an actor’s actor, a mentor, a trusted confidant, and even a father figure beyond just playing my own father on Port Charles,” Lindstrom said with tears.
Fan fans reacted to the work of Pryor, not forgetting the roles played by his work mainly in Risky Business and Beverly Hills, 90210. Most noted how he had permanently sealed a place in their minds. Leaving an enduring impression, as he performed through his presence notwithstanding his appearances, which most times are those of a supporting role.
Nicholas Pryor spanned nearly seven decades in a long career with over 170 acting credits. He had produced some of the most memorable performances through such movies as Airplane! (1980) and through smaller roles in iconic TV series like Hart to Hart and Little House on the Prairie. He was known for depth and gravitas from his characters and often took on authority and wisdom figures.
He would easily change genres from drama to comedy and even horror. The work of Pryor kept on dwelling in the hearts and minds of the people for generations. Many people, who grew up when there was the era of soaps on daytime television and prime-time series, have lost their idol with his death.
Personal Life and Survivors
Pryor also leaves behind his wife of nineteen years, actress Christine Belford. He married her in 1993, with whom he had worked during Beverly Hills, 90210. Throughout his career, the actress remained devoted to him. Three grandchildren and a daughter from a former marriage named Stacey also remain. The family has requested that they be left alone to grieve during this difficult time, but fans and colleagues are still visiting Pryor’s website and numerous online memorials to pay tribute to his innovative contributions to the entertainment industry.
Nicholas Pryor’s death marks the end of a remarkable career that touched nearly every corner of film and television. He will be remembered as a consummate actor whose performance can be lived on in the countless characters he brought to life over the years.
