‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ and ‘Port Charles’ Actor Nicholas Pryor Passes Away — Cause of Death Revealed
Nicholas Pryor, who made a name for himself in the entertainment business with his long career and unforgettable on-screen father roles to younger actors, has died at the age of 89.
After battling illness, legendary actor Nicholas Pryor passed away on October 7 at his Wilmington, North Carolina, home. His passing has left Hollywood and admirers in mourning. The Hollywood Reporter (THR) was informed of the news by Pryor’s spouse, Christine Belford.
The message released by THR on October 8 stated, “Nicholas Pryor was immensely grateful to have been, for nearly 70 years, a working actor.”
Co-star of “Port Charles” and “General Hospital,” Jon Lindstrom, expressed gratitude for Pryor on Instagram after learning of the tragedy, referring to him as “an Actor’s [sic] actor.”
Their relationship went beyond business, he said, saying, “[T]o me, he was my friend. among the nicest I’ve ever experienced. In addition to serving as my own father on #GH and #PortCharles, he was a mentor, sounding board, confidant, and even a father-figure.”
“[H]e was one of the funniest people you could hope to spend time with over a great meal and a bottle of good wine,” Lindstrom continued. I shall really miss him.”
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Internet users who saw Lindstrom’s article were greatly saddened by Pryor’s passing. A comment from a viewer said, “I’m really sorry to hear about Nicholas’s demise. He was a fantastic actor on Beverly Hills 90210, Eight Is Enough, and other shows! Nicholas Pryor [sic] is gone.
“Oh no… loved him on Beverly Hills, 90210 ❤️😓,” exclaimed some, while admirers noted Pryor’s versatility and standout performances, highlighting his impeccable timing in each part. They conveyed that Pryor would be remembered with affection and thanked Lindstrom for his homage.
In addition to Lindstrom, Susan Tolar Walters, Pryor’s agent, said of the man: “He was one of the nicest people I have ever met and he will be missed.”
A podcaster named Jeff Maxwell, who also maintains a page on X devoted to the TV show “MAS*H,” honored the late actor’s role in the beloved program.
Pryor, who was born Nicholas David Probst in Baltimore on January 28, 1935, began his acting career on Broadway and later moved on to the big screen, lending nuance to both serious and humorous parts in over 170 credits for movies and television shows.
In addition to guest-starring on well-known shows like “The West Wing” and “NYPD Blue,” Pryor rose to stardom on television programs such as “The Secret Storm,” “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “All My Children,” and “Another World.”
Pryor discussed his experiences with “Beverly Hills, 90210” and his wife’s presence on the show during its second season in a video that was posted to YouTube on October 9. “I loved watching it, but more, I liked the fact that she was having such a good time…she liked all the people and all the circumstances,” he said.
In the video, he was shown wearing a button-up shirt over a blue shirt, looking focused and grinning sometimes while he conversed with the interviewer.
Pryor’s flexibility was shown not just in television but also in movies such as “Airplane!,” “Damien: Omen II,” and “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1.” He is most known for playing Robert Downey Jr. in “Less Than Zero” and Tom Cruise’s father in “Risky Business.” In 2021, he made his last appearance on screen in the movie “Halloween Kills.”
Pryor’s daughter Stacey and his grandsons Auguste and Avril, in addition to his wife, survive him and will carry on his legacy.
