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{{About|the American actor|the Australian children's writer|Ted Prior (writer)}}
{{short description|American actor}}


{{About|the American actor|the Australian children's writer|Ted Prior (writer)}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
|name = Ted Prior
| name = Ted Prior
|image =
| image =
|caption =
| caption =
⚫
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1959|08|09}}
|birth_name = Ted Prior
⚫
| birth_place = [[Newark, New Jersey]], United States
⚫
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1959|08|09}}
⚫
| occupation = {{flat list|
⚫
|birth_place = [[Newark, New Jersey]], United States
⚫
|occupation = {{flat list|
*Actor
*Actor
*producer
*producer
Line 14: Line 14:
*model
*model
}}
}}
|years_active = 1983–present
| years_active = 1983–present
|spouse = {{marriage|[[Raye Hollitt]]|1990|1992}}
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Raye Hollitt]]|1990|1992}}
|children = 4
| children = 4
|relations = {{plain list|
| relations = {{plain list|
*[[David A. Prior]] (brother)
*[[David A. Prior]] (brother)
}}
}}
}}
}}


'''Ted Prior''' (born August 9, 1959) is an American actor, film producer, bodybuilder and model. He is best known for frequent appearances in his brother [[David A. Prior]]'s films. Born in [[Newark, New Jersey]], Prior first moved to [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]] in the late 1970s to pursue his career as a bodybuilder. By the early 1980s he joined the dance troupe [[Chippendales]]. Around that time, he appeared in the centerfold of the March 1984 issue of ''[[Playgirl]]'' magazine.
'''Ted Prior''' (born August 9, 1959) is an American actor, film producer, and bodybuilder. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Prior moved to Los Angeles in the late 1970s to pursue a career as a bodybuilder. With his brother [[David A. Prior]] directing, he acted in the horror film [[Sledgehammer (film)|''Sledgehammer'']] (1983), and starred in ''Killzone'' (1985). Eventually the brothers were hired to make films for [[Action International Pictures]], which specialized in making low budget genre films. In their first effort for them, Prior had a supporting role in the horror film ''[[Killer Workout]]'' (1987) and the lead in the action film ''[[Deadly Prey]]'' (1987).

Moving forward, Prior became an action film leading man for Action International Pictures until the 1990s. Separately from them, Prior acted in ''[[Hardcase and Fist]]'' (1989), ''[[Possessed by the Night]]'' (1994), ''[[Day of the Warrior]]'' (1996), among others.

Ted and David Prior made several films together, including ''[[Future Zone]]'' (1990), ''[[The Final Sanction (film)|The Final Sanction]]'' (1990), ''[[Raw Nerve (1991 film)|Raw Nerve]]'' (1991), and ''Night Claws'' (2012). Upon noticing the cult following that had arisen around ''Deadly Prey'', they made a sequel, ''Deadliest Prey'' in 2013, which proved to be their final film together due to David Prior's death in 2015.

== Early life and bodybuilding ==
Ted Prior was born on August 9, 1959.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} Prior said "I got into bodybuilding when I was 15 years old. I won the Teenage Mr. Maryland contest along with 10 other titles by the time I was 19. The reason I moved to California was to go to “gold’s gym” and become a pro bodybuilder."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2011-08-15 |title=Interview with cult B-action film actor Ted Prior |url=https://bzfilm.com/talks-interviews/my-interview-with-cult-b-action-film-actor-ted-prior/ |access-date=2023-02-17 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Career ==
=== 1983-1985: Early works ===
In 1983, Prior acted in the horror film ''[[Sledgehammer (film)|Sledgehammer]]'' with his brother [[David A. Prior|David]] directing. Katie Rife of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' said the film "has the distinction of being the first shot-on-video slasher movie. That film established patterns that would persist throughout Prior’s (David) career, namely, extremely low budgets, hammy dialogue, outrageous action, and, most importantly, the presence of his brother Ted".<ref>{{cite web |date=18 August 2015 |title=R.I.P. David A. Prior, direct-to-video legend and director of Deadly Prey |url=http://www.avclub.com/article/rip-david-prior-direct-video-legend-224012 |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408043839/https://news.avclub.com/r-i-p-david-a-prior-direct-to-video-legend-and-direc-1798283145 |archive-date=2019-04-08 |access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref>

In 1984, was the centerfold model for the magazine ''[[Playgirl]]'' for their March edition.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} Prior said of the experience "I never really wanted to model. That was just something that fell into my lap. I did it because I was dancing for Chippendales at the time and it helped to promote us and make money."<ref name=":0" />

In 1985, Prior starred in a lead role in ''Killzone''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kill Zone |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/kill-zone/2000070961/ |access-date=2021-07-22 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== 1987-1999: Action film leading man ===
In 1987, Prior acted in two [[Action International Pictures]] releases. The first was a supporting role in the horror film ''[[Killer Workout]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Killer Workout|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/killer-workout/2030345808/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref>{{Additional citation needed|date=July 2021}} Prior's second [[Action International Pictures]] film was in the leading role in action film ''[[Deadly Prey]]'', co-starring [[Cameron Mitchell (actor)|Cameron Mitchell]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Deadly Prey|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/deadly-prey/2000328775/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref>{{Additional citation needed|date=July 2021}}

In 1988, he acted in ''Hell on the Battleground,'' and ''The Lost Platoon''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hell on the Battleground|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/hell-on-the-battleground/2030001039/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Lost Platoon|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-lost-platoon/2030332306/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref>

In 1989, Prior was a lead in ''[[Hardcase and Fist]]'', ''Jungle Assault'', ''Hell on the Battleground,'' and ''Born Killer''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hardcase and Fist|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/hardcase-and-fist/2000125060/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Jungle Assault|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/jungle-assault/2030116324/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Hell on the Battleground|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/hell-on-the-battleground/2030001039/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Born Killer|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/born-killer/2000070176/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref> That year he also acted in ''Heaven can help.''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Heaven Can Help|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/heaven-can-help/2030272245/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref>

In 1990, Prior was a lead in two films directed by his brother: ''[[Future Zone]],'' and ''[[The Final Sanction (film)|The Final Sanction]].''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Future Zone|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/future-zone/2000281374/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Final Sanction|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-final-sanction/2000000730/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref>

In 1991, Prior acted in [[Raw Nerve (1991 film)|''Raw Nerve'']] and ''Maximum Breakout''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Raw Nerve|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/raw-nerve/2000123215/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Maximum Breakout|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/maximum-breakout/2000347058/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref>

In 1992, Prior acted in ''Center of the web''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Center of the Web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/center-of-the-web/2030128965/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref>

In 1993, he acted in ''Double Threat'' and ''[[Possessed by the Night]].''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/double-threat/cast/129671|title=Double Threat {{!}} TV Guide|website=TVGuide.com|language=en|access-date=April 10, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Possessed by the Night|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/possessed-by-the-night/2000347244/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref>

In 1994, Prior acted in ''Raw Justice''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Raw Justice|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/raw-justice/2030011858/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref>

In 1996, Prior acted in ''Day of the warrior''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Day of the Warrior|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/day-of-the-warrior/2000112295/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref>

In 1998, Prior acted in ''Dead by dawn''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dead by Dawn|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/dead-by-dawn/2030282524/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref>

In 2000, Prior started managing Next Level Acting Studios in California and became a partner of the production company All American Pictures.{{Update inline|date=April 2018}} Prior said of the experience: "I taught acting in Hollywood for a number of years. There’s many ways to approach developing a character. For me it starts with the role. Who am I , What do I want , why do I want , and how do I get it. There’s all kinds of silly answers to these questions but at the end of the day you get out there and do it."<ref name=":0" />

In 2003, Prior acted in ''Mutant Species.''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mutant Species|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/mutant-species/2030009285/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref>

In 2012, Prior acted in ''Night Claws''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Night Claws|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/night-claws/2000094835/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref>

In 2013, Prior acted in ''Deadliest Prey''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Deadliest Prey|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/deadliest-prey/2030309985/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref> On making a sequel to ''Deadly Prey'', Prior said that he and his brother "decided to do a sequel based on fan mail, screenings, and all that stuff. I’ve talked to lot of fans of the movie, and after having all kinds of ideas thrown at us, Dave and I have decided to stick to the basic formula as the original. Fast pace and hard hitting."<ref name=":0" />

In 2015, Prior acted in ''The Last House''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Last House|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-last-house/2030043037/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
Line 43: Line 89:
*''Maximum Breakout'' (1991)
*''Maximum Breakout'' (1991)
*''[[The Final Sanction (film)|The Final Sanction]]'' (1990)
*''[[The Final Sanction (film)|The Final Sanction]]'' (1990)
*''Future Zone'' (1990)
*''[[Future Zone]]'' (1990)
*''Jungle Assault'' (1989)
*''Jungle Assault'' (1989)
*''Hell on the Battleground'' (1989)
*''Hell on the Battleground'' (1989)
*''Hardcase and Fist'' (1989)
*''[[Hardcase and Fist]]'' (1989)
*''[[Deadly Prey]]'' (1988)
*''[[Deadly Prey]]'' (1988)
*''Ragazzo dal kimono d'oro 2, Il'' (1988)
*''{{Interlanguage link multi|Karate Warrior 2|it|3=Il ragazzo dal kimono d'oro 2}}'' (1988)
*''Operation Warzone'' (1988)
*''[[Operation Warzone]]'' (1988)
*''[[Surf Nazis Must Die]]'' (1987)
*''[[Surf Nazis Must Die]]'' (1987)
*''Killer Workout'' (1986)
*''Killer Workout'' (1986)
*''Killzone'' (1985)
*''Killzone'' (1985)
*''[[Sledgehammer (film)|Sledgehammer]]'' (1983)
*''[[Sledgehammer (film)|Sledgehammer]]'' (1983)

He has also starred alongside [[Heather Locklear]], [[Cher]], [[Robert Davi]] and [[Michael Ironside]].

He currently owns "Next Level Acting Studios" based in [[California]], and is a partner with his brother running the production company "All American Pictures".


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
* [http://nextlevelacting.com// Next Level Acting Studios] official site
* [http://allamericanpictures.net/index.html All American Pictures] official website
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0697961/ Ted Prior] at the IMDB


==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0697961}}
* [http://www.critcononline.com/aip_vhs_covers.htm A.I.P sell sheets and VHS sleeves]


{{Authority control|VIAF=56821562}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Prior, Ted
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American actor
| DATE OF BIRTH =
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Prior, Ted}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Prior, Ted}}
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Newark, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Male actors from Newark, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Playgirl Men of the Month]]


{{US-actor-stub}}

Latest revision as of 07:57, 1 January 2024

This article is about the American actor. For the Australian children's writer, see Ted Prior (writer).
Ted Prior
Born (1959-08-09) August 9, 1959 (age 65)
Newark, New Jersey, United States
Occupations
  • Actor
  • producer
  • bodybuilder
  • model
Years active1983–present
Spouse
​
(m. 1990⁠–⁠1992)​
Children4
Relatives

Ted Prior (born August 9, 1959) is an American actor, film producer, and bodybuilder. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Prior moved to Los Angeles in the late 1970s to pursue a career as a bodybuilder. With his brother David A. Prior directing, he acted in the horror film Sledgehammer (1983), and starred in Killzone (1985). Eventually the brothers were hired to make films for Action International Pictures, which specialized in making low budget genre films. In their first effort for them, Prior had a supporting role in the horror film Killer Workout (1987) and the lead in the action film Deadly Prey (1987).

Moving forward, Prior became an action film leading man for Action International Pictures until the 1990s. Separately from them, Prior acted in Hardcase and Fist (1989), Possessed by the Night (1994), Day of the Warrior (1996), among others.

Ted and David Prior made several films together, including Future Zone (1990), The Final Sanction (1990), Raw Nerve (1991), and Night Claws (2012). Upon noticing the cult following that had arisen around Deadly Prey, they made a sequel, Deadliest Prey in 2013, which proved to be their final film together due to David Prior's death in 2015.

Early life and bodybuilding

[edit]

Ted Prior was born on August 9, 1959.[citation needed] Prior said "I got into bodybuilding when I was 15 years old. I won the Teenage Mr. Maryland contest along with 10 other titles by the time I was 19. The reason I moved to California was to go to “gold’s gym” and become a pro bodybuilder."[1]

Career

[edit]

1983-1985: Early works

[edit]

In 1983, Prior acted in the horror film Sledgehammer with his brother David directing. Katie Rife of The A.V. Club said the film "has the distinction of being the first shot-on-video slasher movie. That film established patterns that would persist throughout Prior’s (David) career, namely, extremely low budgets, hammy dialogue, outrageous action, and, most importantly, the presence of his brother Ted".[2]

In 1984, was the centerfold model for the magazine Playgirl for their March edition.[citation needed] Prior said of the experience "I never really wanted to model. That was just something that fell into my lap. I did it because I was dancing for Chippendales at the time and it helped to promote us and make money."[1]

In 1985, Prior starred in a lead role in Killzone.[3]

1987-1999: Action film leading man

[edit]

In 1987, Prior acted in two Action International Pictures releases. The first was a supporting role in the horror film Killer Workout.[4][additional citation(s) needed] Prior's second Action International Pictures film was in the leading role in action film Deadly Prey, co-starring Cameron Mitchell.[5][additional citation(s) needed]

In 1988, he acted in Hell on the Battleground, and The Lost Platoon.[6][7]

In 1989, Prior was a lead in Hardcase and Fist, Jungle Assault, Hell on the Battleground, and Born Killer.[8][9][10][11] That year he also acted in Heaven can help.[12]

In 1990, Prior was a lead in two films directed by his brother: Future Zone, and The Final Sanction.[13][14]

In 1991, Prior acted in Raw Nerve and Maximum Breakout.[15][16]

In 1992, Prior acted in Center of the web.[17]

In 1993, he acted in Double Threat and Possessed by the Night.[18][19]

In 1994, Prior acted in Raw Justice.[20]

In 1996, Prior acted in Day of the warrior.[21]

In 1998, Prior acted in Dead by dawn.[22]

In 2000, Prior started managing Next Level Acting Studios in California and became a partner of the production company All American Pictures.[needs update] Prior said of the experience: "I taught acting in Hollywood for a number of years. There’s many ways to approach developing a character. For me it starts with the role. Who am I , What do I want , why do I want , and how do I get it. There’s all kinds of silly answers to these questions but at the end of the day you get out there and do it."[1]

In 2003, Prior acted in Mutant Species.[23]

In 2012, Prior acted in Night Claws.[24]

In 2013, Prior acted in Deadliest Prey.[25] On making a sequel to Deadly Prey, Prior said that he and his brother "decided to do a sequel based on fan mail, screenings, and all that stuff. I’ve talked to lot of fans of the movie, and after having all kinds of ideas thrown at us, Dave and I have decided to stick to the basic formula as the original. Fast pace and hard hitting."[1]

In 2015, Prior acted in The Last House.[26]

Filmography

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Interview with cult B-action film actor Ted Prior". 2011-08-15. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  2. ^ "R.I.P. David A. Prior, direct-to-video legend and director of Deadly Prey". 18 August 2015. Archived from the original on 2019-04-08. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  3. ^ "Kill Zone". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  4. ^ "Killer Workout". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  5. ^ "Deadly Prey". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  6. ^ "Hell on the Battleground". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  7. ^ "The Lost Platoon". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  8. ^ "Hardcase and Fist". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  9. ^ "Jungle Assault". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  10. ^ "Hell on the Battleground". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  11. ^ "Born Killer". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  12. ^ "Heaven Can Help". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  13. ^ "Future Zone". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  14. ^ "The Final Sanction". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  15. ^ "Raw Nerve". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  16. ^ "Maximum Breakout". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  17. ^ "Center of the Web". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  18. ^ "Double Threat | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  19. ^ "Possessed by the Night". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  20. ^ "Raw Justice". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  21. ^ "Day of the Warrior". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  22. ^ "Dead by Dawn". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  23. ^ "Mutant Species". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  24. ^ "Night Claws". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  25. ^ "Deadliest Prey". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  26. ^ "The Last House". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
[edit]
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