Nicholas Pryor, ‘Risky Business’ and ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ Actor, Dies at 89

Nicholas Pryor, who played a father to both Tom Cruise and to Robert Downey Jr. in “Risky Business” and “Less Than Zero,” died Oct. 7 of cancer in Wilmington, N.C. He was 89.

His agent, Susan Tolar Walters, said, “He was one of the nicest people I have ever met and he will be missed.”

The actor, whose career spanned seven decades, also portrayed the father of Kathleen Robertson’s character in “Beverly Hills, 90210” for 26 episodes from 1994-1997. From 1997-2002, Pryor starred on the “General Hospital” spinoff “Port Charles,” playing former spy Victor Collins. His career on daytime soap operas also included stints in “The Secret Storm,” “The Edge of Night,” “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing,” “All My Children” and “Another World.”

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Some of Pryor’s other on-screen credits include “Halloween Kills,” “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier,” “The Outsider,” “Doctor Sleep,” “A Summer’s Day,” “Buster’s Mal Heart,” “Cosmic Kiosk,” “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1,” “Constantine,” “Nashville” and “Hart of Dixie.”

Emmy nominee Jon Lindstrom paid homage to Pryor on X, writing: “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 @GeneralHospital“

Pryor and his wife Christine Belford worked together on “Beverly Hills, 90210” and married in 1993. Pryor is survived by his wife, his daughter, Stacey, and two grandchildren.