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

Nicholas Pryor, best known for his roles in Risky Business and Beverly Hills, 90210, has passed away at the age of 89. He died on Monday from cancer at his home in Wilmington, NC, as confirmed by his agent, Susan Tolar Walters.

Pryor was born on January 28, 1935, in Baltimore, Maryland, and made his acting debut in a 1961 episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. His breakthrough role occurred in the 1983 film Risky Business, where he played Tom Cruise’s father.

Pryor’s film credits also include The Falcon and the Snowman, The Happy Hooker, Collateral Damage, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, and Doctor Sleep. On television, he is remembered for his role as A. Milton Arnold on Beverly Hills, 90210 from 1994 to 1997, and he had notable appearances in NYPD Blue, The Bronx Zoo, Nashville, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

His appearances on soap operas included General Hospital, Another World, and Love Is a Many Splendored Thing. Actor Jon Lindstrom paid tribute to Pryor on Instagram, describing him as an outstanding friend and mentor.

Pryor’s final role was in the 2021 film Halloween K1lls. He is survived by his wife, Christine Belford, daughter Stacey, and grandchildren Gus and Avril. The couple married in 1993.