Roger Pryor | |
|---|---|
 Publicity still of Pryor in Glamour for Sale (1940) | |
| Born | August 27, 1901 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | January 31, 1974 (aged 72) Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1924–1945 |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 1 |
Roger Pryor (August 27, 1901 – January 31, 1974)[1] was an American film actor.[2]
The son of bandmaster Arthur Pryor, Roger Pryor was born in New York City.[3] He had a brother, Arthur Pryor Jr., who was also a bandmaster.[4] Pryor attended the Dwight School in New York. While there, he became so interested in performing on stage that "he and the school parted company by mutual consent."[5]
Pryor's debut on stage came in stock theater when he was 18, after which he worked with several repertory theatre companies.[6] His Broadway credits include The Backslapper (1925), The Sea Woman (1925), Paid (1925), Saturday's Children (1927), The Royal Family (1927), See Naples and Die (1929), Apron Strings (1930), Up Pops the Devil (1930), A Modern Virgin (1931), Here Goes the Bride (1931), Blessed Event (1932), There's Always Juliet (1932), and Message for Margaret (1947).[7]
Pryor often had leading roles in B movies in the 1930s and 1940s.[8] He appeared in more than 50 films between 1930 and 1945, including the A picture Belle of the Nineties with Mae West.
Pryor was host of "a number of prestigious network programs,"[6] including The United States Steel Hour,[9]: 345 The Pause That Refreshes,[9]: 267 , The Coca-Cola Summer Show[9] and The Screen Guild Theater.[10] He starred as Dan McGarry in McGarry and His Mouse[9]: 211 and was the producer of Cavalcade of America.[11] He also had his own music program, featuring the Roger Pryor Orchestra.[11]: 534
In 1947, Pryor changed careers, becoming vice president in charge of broadcasting at Foote, Cone and Belding advertising agency.[3]
Pryor was married to Priscilla Mitchell, the daughter of vaudeville star Bessie Clayton; they had one daughter, Priscilla, before divorcing in 1934.[12][13] He married, secondly, in 1936, actress Ann Sothern;[10] they divorced in 1942.[6][14][15]
Pryor died January 31, 1974, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.[3]
