Nicholas Pryor | Source: Getty Images
Nicholas Pryor, known for his extensive career in the entertainment industry and memorable on-screen father roles to prominent younger actors, has passed away at 89.
Hollywood is mourning the loss of veteran actor Nicholas Pryor, who died on October 7 at his Wilmington, North Carolina, home after a battle with cancer. Pryor’s wife, Christine Belford, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter (THR).
Nicholas Pryor in the 1997 TV show “Port Charles” | Source: Getty Images
“Nicholas Pryor was enormously grateful to have been, for nearly 70 years, a working actor,” read a note shared by THR on October 8.
Following the news of Pryor’s passing, Jon Lindstrom, Pryor’s co-star on the television shows “Port Charles” and “General Hospital”, paid tribute on Instagram, calling him “an Actor’s [sic] actor.”
Jon Lindstrom and Nicholas Pryor on the TV show “Port Charles” | Source: Getty Images
He noted that their bond went beyond professionalism, “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 [sic] beyond, yes, playing my own father on #GH and #PortCharles.”
The actor added , “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.”
Born Nicholas David Probst in Baltimore on January 28, 1935, Pryor started on Broadway before transitioning to screen acting, bringing depth to comedic and dramatic roles across more than 170 film and TV credits.
He gained fame on TV shows like “The Secret Storm,” “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “All My Children,” and “Another World,” as well as guest-starring on popular series such as “The West Wing” and “NYPD Blue.”
Nicholas Pryor on the TV show “Port Charles” | Source: Getty Images
His versatility extended to films like “Airplane!,” “Damien: Omen II,” and “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1.” He famously portrayed the father of Tom Cruise in “Risky Business” and Robert Downey Jr. in “Less Than Zero.” His final screen appearance was in the 2021 film “Halloween Kills.”
Pryor is survived by his wife, Christine, his daughter, Stacey, and his cherished grandchildren, Auguste and Avril, who will continue to honor his memory.