Nicholas Pryor, the actor best known for his roles in “Risky Business” and “Beverly Hills, 90210,” has died. He was 89.
Pryor died Monday of cancer at his home in Wilmington, NC, his agent, Susan Tolar Walters, confirmed to The Post on Wednesday.
Pryor was born on Jan. 28, 1935 in Baltimore, Md. He made his acting debut in an episode of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” in 1961.
Nicholas Pryor in “Port Charles.” Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Nicholas Pryor in “The Bronx Zoo.” ©NBC/Courtesy Everett CollectionThe late star had his breakout in 1983’s “Risky Business.” He played Tom Cruise’s dad in the coming-of-age film directed by Paul Brickman.
Tom Cruise, Janet Carroll, Nicholas Pryor in “Risky Business.” ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
Janet Carroll, Nicholas Pryor in “Risky Business.” ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett CollectionHis other notable film roles included “The Falcon and the Snowman,” “The Happy Hooker,” “Collateral Damage,” “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1″ and “Doctor Sleep.”
Nicholas Pryor, Janet Carroll in “Risky Business.” ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett CollectionOn television, Pryor starred in “Beverly Hills, 90210” as A. Milton Arnold from 1994 to 1997. Pryor’s character had a daughter played by Kathleen Robertson.
He also appeared on “Another World,” “NYPD Blue,” “The Bronx Zoo,” Constantine,” “Nashville,” “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” and “The Outsider.”
Lynn Redgrave and Nicholas Pryor in the 1975 movie “The Happy Hooker.” Getty Images
Nicholas Pryor, Connie Britton, Lennon Stella in “Nashville.” Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty ImagesPryor played the role of former spy Victor Collins on “General Hospital” and its spinoff “Port Charles” in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Jon Lindstrom, who worked with Pryor on both soap operas, paid tribute to the late actor on Instagram Tuesday.
“It is my solemn task to announce the passing of the great Nicholas Pryor. Nick was an Actor’s actor, and an exceptional friend,” the 66-year-old actor wrote.
Nicholas Pryor, Julie Pinson in “Port Charles.” Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images“He was my friend. One of the best I’ve ever had,” Lindstrom continued. “He was a mentor, a sounding board, a trusted confidant, and even a father-figure beyond, yes, playing my own father on #GH and #PortCharles. And he was one of the funniest people you could hope to spend time with over a bottle of good wine and a great meal.”
Pryor appeared on other soap operas including “The Secret Storm,” “The Edge of Night,” “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing” and “All My Children.”
His final acting role was in the 2021 film “Halloween Kills.”
Pryor and his wife, Christine Belford, worked together on “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Belford, 75, played the role of Samantha Sanders on the teen drama series.
The couple tied the knot in 1993.
Pryor is survived by his wife, his daughter Stacey, and his grandchildren Gus and Avril.
