'Beverly Hills, 90210' Actor Dies at 89

Veteran actor Nicholas Pryor died of cancer on Monday, Oct. 7 in Wilmington, NC at age 89. Though his career spanned for more than six decades, he was perhaps best known for his role on Beverly Hills, 90210, starring in 26 episodes from 1994 through 1997.

In addition to the teen drama, which he starred in as the father to Kathleen Robertson's character Clare Arnold, Pryor appeared in dozens of TV shows and movies throughout the years. He played father to both Tom Cruise in Risky Business and Robert Downey Jr. in Less Than Zero. Pryor also appeared in more than 300 episodes of the General Hospital spin-off, Port Charles, as the character Victor Collins from 1997 to 2002. His final role was in the 2021 horror sequel Halloween Kills.

Per Variety, Pryor's agent Susan Tolar Walters remembered him by saying: "He was one of the nicest people I have ever met and he will be missed."

Pryor's Port Charles co-star, Emmy-nominated actor Jon Lindstrom, also paid tribute to his colleague in a social media post on Tuesday.

"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 Oct. 7, 2024, surrounded by loving family," Lindstrom wrote. "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. He shared the screen with the likes of Jack Nicholson, Kurt Russell, Ewan McGregor, 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 continued. "He was a mentor, a sounding board, a trusted confidant, and even a father-figure beyond, yes, playing my own father on General Hospital and Port Charles. 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."

Lindstrom concluded his tribute by adding that he would miss his friend terribly, as will his family. Pryor is survived by his wife Christine Belford, whom he worked with on 90210 and married in 1993, their daughter Stacey, and two grandchildren.