Roger Pryor (actor)


Roger Pryor was an American film actor.

Early years

The son of bandmaster Arthur Pryor, Roger Pryor was born in New York City, New York. He had a brother, Arthur Pryor Jr., who was also a bandmaster. 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."

Stage

Pryor's debut on stage came in stock theater when he was 18, after which he worked with several repertory theatre companies. His Broadway credits include The Backslapper, The Sea Woman, Paid, Saturday's Children, The Royal Family, See Naples and Die, Apron Strings, Up Pops the Devil, A Modern Virgin, Here Goes the Bride, Blessed Event, There's Always Juliet, and Message for Margaret.

Film

Pryor often had leading roles in B movies in the 1930s and 1940s. He appeared in more than 50 films between 1930 and 1945.

Radio

Pryor was host of "a number of prestigious network programs," including The United States Steel Hour, The Pause That Refreshes,, The Coca-Cola Summer Show and The Screen Guild Theater. He starred as Dan McGarry in McGarry and His Mouse and was the producer of Cavalcade of America. He also had his own music program, featuring the Roger Pryor Orchestra.

Advertising agency

In 1947, Pryor changed careers, becoming vice president in charge of broadcasting at Foote, Cone and Belding advertising agency.

Family and death

Pryor was married to Priscilla Mitchell, the daughter of vaudeville star Bessie Clayton; they had one daughter before divorcing in 1933. He married, secondly, in 1936, actress Ann Sothern; they divorced in 1942.
Pryor died January 31, 1974, in Puerta Valarta, Mexico.

Selected filmography