Nicholas Pryor, the actor best known for his roles in Risky Business and Beverly Hills, 90210, has passed away at the age of 89. His agent, Susan Tolar Walters, confirmed to The Post on Wednesday that Pryor died of cancer on Monday at his home in Wilmington, North Carolina.
The actor played the role of Professor Victor Collins on General Hospital. He later reprised the character on Port Charles (a General Hospital spinoff) from 1997 to 2002, appearing in over 300 episodes.
Jon Lindstrom, who played Pryor’s onscreen son Kevin on Port Charles, paid tribute to the late actor in a statement shared on Instagram. Lindstrom highlighted Pryor’s remarkable career, noting his roles in the comedy Risky Business, the crime drama Less Than Zero, and the 1978 horror sequel Damien: Omen II.
“It is my solemn task to announce the passing of the great Nicholas Pryor. Nick was an Actor’s actor, and an exceptional friend. He passed on October 7, 2024, surrounded by loving family. Nick may be best known for his role as the father of #TomCruise in #RiskyBusiness, or as the same to #RobertDowneyJr in #LessThanZero. He shared the screen with the likes of #JackNicholson #KurtRussell #EwanMcGregor Too many to name really. He starred on #Broadway and delivered terrific work in Film and TV for over 60 years. But to me, he was my friend. One of the best I’ve ever had. 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. I will miss him terribly, as will his beautiful wife Christina, his daughter Stacey, and his two grandchildren, Gus and Avril. R.I.P. #FlightOfAngels #RIP @generalhospitalabc”
Pryor was born on January 28, 1935, in Baltimore, Maryland, Pryor built a reputation as a versatile and reliable character actor, appearing in a wide range of roles that demonstrated his talent and adaptability.
Throughout his career, Pryor became a familiar face on television, making guest appearances on a wide variety of series, including The Waltons, Murder, She Wrote, The Rockford Files, and Beverly Hills, 90210, where he played the role of Milton Arnold, Steve Sanders’ adoptive father.
Nicholas Pryor’s final acting role came in the 2021 film Halloween Kills. He and his wife, Christine Belford, collaborated on the popular series Beverly Hills, 90210, where Belford, now 75, portrayed Samantha Sanders. The couple married in 1993 and shared both a personal and professional life together.
Pryor is survived by his wife Christine, their daughter Stacey, and two grandchildren, Gus and Avril.
Rest In Peace.
