General Hospital family mourns the loss of soap opera veteran actor Nicholas Pryor, who played Victor Collins, the father of Jon Lindstrom’s character Kevin Collins, on both the ABC’s medical drama and its spinoff Port Charles. Pryor passed away on October 7, 2024, at his home in Wilmington, North Carolina, after a battle against cancer.
His agent, Susan Tolar Walters, confirmed his death to Variety, stating that Pryor was “one of the nicest people" she had ever met and he would be missed by everyone.
Pryor’s character, Victor Collins, left a lasting impression on the General Hospital series. Victor was a spy and private investigator who struggled with mental health issues but eventually found peace when he reconnected with his son. Behind the scenes, Pryor was greatly admired by his fellow actors and the crew.
"Nick was an Actor's actor, and an exceptional friend," Jon Lindstrom wrote on Instagram on October 8.
Nicholas Pryor had a long acting career that lasted more than 60 years. He was famous not just for his roles in daytime TV shows, but also for his parts in movies like Risky Business and Less Than Zero.
General Hospital: Who is Nicholas Pryor?
Nicholas David Pryor, originally named Nicholas David Probst, was born on January 28, 1935, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the son of Dorothy Driskill and J. Stanley Probst, who worked in the pharmaceutical industry.
Pryor started his acting career in the late 1950s with a role in the soap opera The Brighter Day. He gained recognition for his multi-dimensional roles in both television shows and movies.
In 1993, Pryor married actress Christine Belford, and they lived in Wilmington, North Carolina until he passed away. He was survived by his wife, his daughter from an earlier marriage, Belford, and two grandchildren. Pryor's personal life was as fulfilling as his professional one, filled with family, love, and his passion for acting.
His acting career involved many famous television roles, like playing Chancellor A. Milton Arnold on Beverly Hills, 90210. He also acted in popular movies, working with stars like Tom Cruise and Robert Downey Jr. in Risky Business (1983) and Less Than Zero (1987), where he played several different characters. Pryor showed his acting skills in films such as Damien: Omen II and Airplane!
Pryor also gained fame with his acting in daytime shows like Young Dr. Malone, The Secret Storm, and One Life to Live. Pryor's last movie before he retired from his acting career was Halloween Kills in 2021, ending a career that lasted over six decades.
Who was Victor Collins on General Hospital?
Victor Collins, played by Nicholas Pryor, first appeared in General Hospital in April 1997 and later became an important character in its spinoff, Port Charles. Even though Victor was initially thought to be dead, he was found in a French convent by Lucy Coe.
His return to Port Charles brought to light a complicated and troubled history, including a strained relationship with his son, Kevin Collins, and the dark past of his other son, Ryan Chamberlain.
Victor's life in Port Charles was full of drama due to his profession as a spy, a private detective, and a teacher. His complicated relationship with his family, especially with Kevin, was a big part of his story.
Victor got married to a nurse named Mary Scanlon in 1999, which brought some stability to his life. His stories often included mysteries and secrets, like being involved in the General Homicide case and several other adventures that showed off his spy skills.
Fans of General Hospital can watch the show on ABC and Hulu.