Nicholas Pryor Dead: The ‘Port Charles,’ ‘90210’ And ‘Risky Business’ Actor Was 89

Nicholas Pryor, who racked up an acting resume with a significant 174 credits (according to his IMDb page), died on October 7.

“It is my solemn task to announce the passing of the great Nicholas Pryor at age 89,” wrote General Hospital star Jon Lindstrom on Instagram. “Nick was an actor’s actor and an exceptional friend. He passed [a day prior], surrounded by loving family.”

“Nick may be best known for his role as the father of Tom Cruise in Risky Business, or as the same to Robert Downey Jr. in Less Than Zero,” Lindstrom noted. “He shared the screen with the likes of Jack Nicholson [in Hoffa], Kurt Russell [in Executive Decision], Ewan McGregor [in Doctor Sleep]. 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.”

Known in the daytime drama universe as Victor Collins in Port Charles from 1997-2002, Ken Alexander in the long defunct The Nurses from 1965-67, and Tom Baxter in Another World in 1964, the career of Nicholas Pryor spanned all genres.

He had the recurring role of A. Milton Arnold, the Chancellor of California University, on Beverly Hills, 90210 from 1994-97. Earlier, he co-starred in the two season Ed Asner high school drama The Bronx Zoo from 1987-88. And his appearances as a guest star ran the gamut of dramas Hart to Hart, Lou Grant, Simon & Simon, Little House on the Prairie, Dallas, L.A. Law and Nashville to comedies M*A*S*H, Who’s the Boss?, Growing Pains, 227 and Silver Spoons.

Pryor’s other television appearances included miniseries The Adams Chronicles (1976) and Washington: Behind Closed Doors (1977), and the film Gideon’s Trumpet (1980).

“He was a mentor, a sounding board, a trusted confidant, and even a father-figure beyond, yes, playing my own father on GH and Port Charles,” added Jon Lindstrom. “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.”

Pryor was married to actress Christine Belford since July 1993.