He was considered the "poor man's 'Clark Gable , briefly toured with Pryor's band. Though the work was personally satisfying, it wasn't profitable and it drove him into bankruptcy. In 1947, Pryor retired from show business altogether and turned to business, finding a comfortable niche as an ad executive. He remarried a third time and settled comfortably in Pompano Beach, Florida, dying in 1974 of cardiac arrest.
His father, band leader Arthur Pryor, was second in popularity only to John Philip Sousa. His father was also vehemently opposed to Roger entering show business.
His one big picture, actress/author Mae West s Belle of the Nineties had to be made twice. When the first version was previewed, the audiences howled at the racy humor. Industry executives, however, were terrified of censorship. Mae was forced to comply and a second tamer version was made and released.
Narrated the NBC Symphony radio broadcast and hosted both "Screen Guild Players" and "Theatre Guild on the Air."
From 1947 until he retired in 1962, he was VP in charge of broadcasting for Foote, Cone & Beldings New York office. Coincidentally, his brother held the exact same position with Batten, Barton, Dustine & Osborn in New York.
