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Christine Belford: Difference between revisions

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'''Christine Belford''' (born 14 January 1949 in Amityville, New York) is an American actor.
'''Christine Belford''' (born January 14, 1949) is an American actress who portrayed [[Leda]], a disgruntled [[medtech]], in the {{OS|The Gun on Ice Planet Zero|prose=y}} two-parter.


As a child, Belford's family lived in the home that would become the setting of the 1970's terror classic, ''The Amityville Horror''.
== Early Life ==


Belford guest-starred in many popular American television series since the 1970s, including ''Ironside'', ''The Six Million Dollar Man'', ''The Incredible Hulk'', ''L.A. Law'', and ''Night Court''. Belford was a recurring series cast member in ''Banachek'' (starring actor [[w:George Peppard|George Peppard]], who would later co-star with [[Dirk Benedict]] in ''The A-Team''), ''Dynasty'', and ''Beverly Hills, 90210''.
Born in [[w:Amityville, New York|Amityville]], [[w:New York (state)|New York]],<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_starlet_birthplace">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=Amityville%2C%20N.Y.|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Belford came from comfortable circumstances; her father was a successful sales executive with [[w:RCA|RCA]]-[[w:Whirlpool Corporation|Whirlpool]].<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_father_rca">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=Her%20father%20was%20a%20successful%20sales%20executive%20with%20RCA-Whirlpool|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She was enrolled at the best schools and joined the best swimming and yachting clubs on [[w:Long Island|Long Island]].<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_clubs_long_island">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=She%20was%20enrolled%20at%20the%20best%20schools%20and%20joined%20the%20best%20swimming%20and%20yachting%20clubs%20on%20Long%20Island|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Her early years were spent training and riding jumpers on Long Island.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_riding_horses">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=her%20early%20years%20were%20spent%20training%20and%20riding%20jumpers%20in%20Long%20Island|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Her family lived in the home that would later become the setting of the 1979 horror classic ''[[w:The Amityville Horror (1979 film)|The Amityville Horror]]''.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_amityville_house">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=Christine%20Belford%2C%20who%20lived%20in%20the%20house%20that%20was%20the%20basis%20for%20the%20movie%20%22The%20Amityville%20Horror%22|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>


Belford played [[Leda]], a disgruntled [[medtech]] in the two part [[Original Series]] episode, "[[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part I|The Gun on Ice Planet Zero]]".
{{quote|Just because I came out here with no experience professionally doesn't mean I was a greenhorn. I grew up in a lovely home on Long Island, where I was born. My father was a successful man and his family enjoyed life. As a child, I rode and showed jumpers, was close to my family and had a lot of friends. No hang-ups. That is, until my parents divorced. That was a crusher. I took it hard.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_parents_divorce">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=Just%20because%20I%20came%20out%20here%20with%20no%20experience%20professionally%20doesn%27t%20mean%20I%20was%20a%20greenhorn.%20I%20grew%20up%20in%20a%20lovely%20home%20on%20Long%20Island%2C%20where%20I%20was%20born.%20My%20father%20was%20a%20successful%20man%20and%20his%20family%20enjoyed%20life.%20As%20a%20child%2C%20I%20rode%20and%20showed%20jumpers%2C%20was%20close%20to%20my%20family%20and%20had%20a%20lot%20of%20friends.%20No%20hang-ups.%20That%20is%2C%20until%20my%20parents%20divorced.%20That%20was%20a%20crusher.%20I%20took%20it%20hard|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}}


After ''Battlestar'', Belford would later guest-star in [[Glen Larson]]'s most successful TV series, ''Magnum P.I.'', having minor roles for Larson in prior shows such as ''Quincy, M.E.''.
She noted that by the time she was old enough to realize everyone has to live their own life—even parents—she had the feeling she wanted to get away, to be on her own, to become completely independent.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_independence_desire">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=But%2C%20luckily%2C%20I%20was%20old%20enough%20to%20realize%20everyone%20has%20to%20live%20his%20or%20her%20own%20life%E2%80%94even%20parents.%20But%20I%20had%20this%20feeling%20I%20wanted%20to%20get%20away%2C%20to%20be%20on%20my%20own%2C%20to%20become%20completely%20independent|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>


Belford is married to actor [[imdb:nm0699425|Nicholas Pryor]].  
Her family discouraged idleness and she didn't grow up believing she would simply marry and be like Jackie.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_family_discouraged">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=But%20her%20family%20discouraged%20idleness%20so%20she%20didn%27t%20grow%20up%20believing%20the%20notion%20that%20eventually%20she%20would%20marry%20and%20be%20like%20Jackie|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She grew up thinking in terms of a career, considering psychiatry, law, and writing, and always remained a good student.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_career_thinking">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=She%20grew%20up%20thinking%20in%20terms%20of%20a%20career.%20She%20considered%20psychiatry%2C%20law%20and%20writing%20and%20had%20always%20been%20a%20good%20student|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> When she was 17, a friend suggested she should think of acting, which led her to pursue a career as an actress.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_friend_suggestion">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=But%20when%20she%20was%2017%2C%20a%20friend%20suggested%20she%20should%20think%20of%20acting.%20So%20she%20became%20an%20actress|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>


{{stub}}
Belford registered at [[w:Hofstra University|Hofstra University]] and met Joseph Leon, the teacher who was then running the school's drama department. Leon, who had been divorced for several years, became a second father to her.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_joseph_leon">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=registered%20at%20Hofstra%20University%20and%20met%20Joseph%20Leon%2C%20the%20teacher%20who%20was%20then%20running%20the%20school%27s%20drama%20department|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> However, despite doing well in the drama department and knowing she had definite acting talent, nobody around New York or Broadway seemed to recognize it.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_broadway_struggle">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=I%20had%20been%20doing%20well%20in%20the%20drama%20department%20of%20Hofstra%20University%2C%20and%20I%20knew%20I%20had%20definite%20acting%20talent.%20The%20trouble%20was%2C%20nobody%20around%20New%20York%20or%20Broadway%20seemed%20to%20realize%20it|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>


[[Category:Glen Larson Productions Cast and Crew]]
{{quote|In order to keep a roof over my head and to eat, I took any job I could find. I was a waitress, a bar maid, and I also drove an ice truck.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_survival_jobs">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=In%20order%20to%20keep%20a%20roof%20over%20my%20head%20and%20to%20eat%2C%20I%20took%20any%20job%20I%20could%20find.%20I%20was%20a%20waitress%2C%20a%20bar%20maid%2C%20and%20I%20also%20drove%20an%20ice%20truck|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}}
 
She later got a photographic modeling job, and around this time she gave up a chance for a top role in ''[[w:Hair (film)|Hair]]'' on [[w:Broadway theatre|Broadway]] to follow a man she was very much in love with to [[w:California|California]].<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_hair_broadway">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=I%20gave%20up%20a%20chance%20for%20a%20top%20role%20in%20%27Hair%27%20on%20Broadway%20to%20follow%20a%20man%20I%20was%20very%20much%20in%20love%20with%20to%20California|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
 
{{quote|I was so much in love with him, I didn't really care what happened to my career. At that time, feeling the way I did, I would have done the same thing Carrie did, given it all up for love.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_love_priority">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=I%20was%20so%20much%20in%20love%20with%20him%2C%20I%20didn%27t%20really%20care%20what%20happened%20to%20my%20career.%20At%20that%20time%2C%20feeling%20the%20way%20I%20did%2C%20I%20would%20have%20done%20the%20same%20thing%20Carrie%20did%2C%20given%20it%20all%20up%20for%20love|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}}
 
== Career ==
 
In California, Belford met her good friend [[w:Carrie Snodgress|Carrie Snodgress]], a star on the [[w:Universal Pictures|Universal Pictures]] lot.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_modeling_california">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=came%20to%20California.%20And%20met%20her%20good%20friend%2C%20Carrie|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Around 1970, Snodgress was taking acting-novice Christine around the studio introducing her to important people who might help her get started on a film career.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_carrie_introduction">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=Two%20years%20ago%2C%20her%20friend%20Carrie%20Snodgress%2C%20a%20star%20on%20the%20Universal%20lot%2C%20was%20taking%20acting-novice%20Christine%20around%20the%20studio%20introducing%20her%20to%20important%20people|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Snodgress suggested she visit [[w:Monique James|Monique James]], head of Universal's [[w:Hollywood|Hollywood]] talent division.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_monique_james">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=Carrie%20Snodgress%2C%20suggested%20a%20visit%20to%20Monique%20James%2C%20head%20of%20Universal%27s%20Hollywood%20talent%20division|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
 
{{quote|Monique is the one who really took me in hand and encouraged me and told me to keep on trying—that I really had it.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_monique_encouragement">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=Monique%20is%20the%20one%20who%20really%20took%20me%20in%20hand%20and%20encouraged%20me%20and%20told%20me%20to%20keep%20on%20trying%E2%80%94that%20I%20really%20had%20it|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}}
 
Thanks to James' mentorship, Belford started with a leading role with [[w:Paul Newman|Paul Newman]] in ''[[w:Pocket Money|Pocket Money]]''.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_pocket_money">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=I%20was%20able%20to%20start%20off%20with%20a%20leading%20role%20with%20Paul%20Newman%20in%20%27Pocket%20Money|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She then worked in ''[[w:The Carey Treatment|The Carey Treatment]]'', ''[[w:Marcus Welby, M.D.|Marcus Welby]]'', ''[[w:Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law|Owen Marshall]]'', and ''[[w:Ironside (1967 TV series)|Ironside]]''.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_early_credits">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=%27I%27ve%20worked%20in%20%27Marcus%20Welby%2C%27%20%27Owen%20Marshall%2C%27%20%27Ironside|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
 
In 1972, Belford was under a seven-year contract with Universal Pictures, the only studio in Hollywood still issuing such contracts thanks to television commitments.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_universal_contract">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=seven-year%20contract%20with%20Universal%20Pictures%2C%20the%20only%20studio%20in%20Hollywood%20still%20going%20full%20blast|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She appeared in ''[[w:The Groundstar Conspiracy|The Groundstar Conspiracy]]'' with [[w:George Peppard|George Peppard]] and [[w:Michael Sarrazin|Michael Sarrazin]] as her first feature film starring role,<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_early_credits_2">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=%27The%20Groundstar%20Conspiracy%27%20is%20my%20first%20feature%20film%20starring%20role|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> and was cast as Peppard's girlfriend in ''[[w:Banacek|Banacek]]'', appearing in the series but not as a regular, which gave her opportunities for other roles.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_banacek_role">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=I%20came%20pretty%20close%20to%20a%20series%2C%E2%80%9D%20Christine%20said%2C%20%E2%80%9Cwhen%20I%20was%20cast%20as%20George%20Peppard%27s%20girl%20friend%20in%20%E2%80%98Banacek|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
 
Throughout the 1970s, Belford guest-starred in many popular television series including ''[[w:The Six Million Dollar Man|The Six Million Dollar Man]]'', ''[[w:The Incredible Hulk (1977 TV series)|The Incredible Hulk]]'', and ''[[w:The Barbary Coast (TV series)|The Barbary Coast]]'', where she did five 90-minute episodes.<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_past_experience">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=she%20did%20five%2090-minute%20shows%20in%20the%20Barbary%20Coast%20series|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
 
In 1978, Belford starred as policewoman Leba in the TV movie ''[[w:To Kill a Cop|To Kill a Cop]]'', which aired on [[w:NBC|NBC]]'s [[w:The Big Event (TV series)|The Big Event]] (April 10-11, 1978).<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_to_kill_cop">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=To%20Kill%20A%20Cop%20which%20will%20air%20in%20Birmingham%20Monday%20and%20Tuesday%20nights|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> The four-hour drama starred [[w:Joe Don Baker|Joe Don Baker]] and [[w:Louis Gossett Jr.|Louis Gossett Jr.]], with Belford's character partnered with [[w:Desi Arnaz Jr.|Desi Arnaz Jr.]]'s character.<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_cast_stars">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=Joe%20Don%20Baker%20of%20Walking%20Tall%20fame%20and%20Emmy%20winner%20Louis%20Gossett%20Jr.%2C%20of%20Roots|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
 
{{quote|I like comedy very much, but then I don't like drama too. On a week to week basis I think comedy would probably be better. I used to like the Mary Tyler Moore Show and I still like All in the Family.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_comedy_preference">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=I%20like%20comedy%20very%20much%2C%20but%20then%20I%20don%27t%20like%20drama%20too|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}}
 
After ''Battlestar Galactica'', Belford continued guest-starring in television series including [[Glen A. Larson]]'s ''[[w:Magnum, P.I.|Magnum, P.I.]]'' and ''[[w:Quincy, M.E.|Quincy, M.E.]]'', as well as ''[[w:L.A. Law|L.A. Law]]'' and ''[[w:Night Court|Night Court]]''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_belford_filmography">{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0067785/|title=Christine Belford|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She had recurring roles in ''[[w:Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'' and ''[[w:Beverly Hills, 90210|Beverly Hills, 90210]]''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_belford_recurring_roles">{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0067785/#:~:text=Dynasty|title=Christine Belford|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
 
By 1984, Belford had returned to her natural blonde hair color to play [[w:Ricky Schroder|Ricky Schroder]]'s mother on ''[[w:Silver Spoons|Silver Spoons]]'', appearing on the NBC series from time to time.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_silver_spoons">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=play%20the%20role%20of%20Ricky%20Schroder%27s%20mother%20on%20%E2%80%9CSilver%20Spoons|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She also had a regular role on the [[w:CBS|CBS]] series ''[[w:Empire (1984 TV series)|Empire]]'', playing Jackie, the wife of an executive ([[w:Richard Masur|Richard Masur]]) in the Wednesday night comedy about corporate life.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_empire_role">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=regular%20on%20the%20new%20CBS%20series%20%E2%80%9CEmpire|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
 
== Personal Life ==
 
Belford is married to actor [[w:Nicholas Pryor|Nicholas Pryor]].<ref group="external" name="mitovich_tvline_pryor_obituary">{{Cite web|title=Nicholas Pryor, of Port Charles, 90210 and Risky Business, Dead at 89: 'He Was an Actor's Actor'|author=Matt Webb Mitovich|url=https://tvline.com/news/nicholas-pryor-dead-port-charles-beverly-hills-90210-1235171042/#:~:text=Pryor%20is%20survived%20by%20his%20wife%2C%20actress%20Christine%20Belford|publisher=TVLine|date=October 7, 2024|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Pryor passed away on October 7, 2024, at the age of 89.<ref group="external" name="mitovich_tvline_pryor_death">{{Cite web|title=Nicholas Pryor, of Port Charles, 90210 and Risky Business, Dead at 89: 'He Was an Actor's Actor'|author=Matt Webb Mitovich|url=https://tvline.com/news/nicholas-pryor-dead-port-charles-beverly-hills-90210-1235171042/#:~:text=died%20Monday%2C%20Oct.%207.%20He%20was%2089|publisher=TVLine|date=October 7, 2024|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
 
Belford's mother Mary Belford Malone passed away on May 2, 2010.<ref group="external" name="billings_gazette_mary_malone">{{Cite news|title=Mary Belford Malone|url=https://billingsgazette.com/news/local/obituaries/mary-belford-malone/article_81bdb9c2-5c29-11df-b62c-001cc4c002e0.html#:~:text=Mary%20Belford%20Malone|publisher=Billings Gazette|date=May 9, 2010|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Her stepfather (or acting mentor who became like a father) Joseph Riley passed away on February 3, 2012.<ref group="external" name="capital_riley_obituary">{{Cite news|title=Joseph Riley's Obituary|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/capitalgazette/name/joseph-riley-obituary?id=2661681#:~:text=Joseph%20Riley|publisher=The Capital|date=February 9, 2012|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
 
== References ==
 
=== External Sources ===
{{reflist|group=external}}
 
== External Links ==
{{Ext-wikipedia|Christine Belford}}
 
[[de:Christine Belford]]

Latest revision as of 21:43, 12 January 2026

 Christine Belford
Christine Belford
{{{credit}}}
Portrays: Leda
Date of Birth: January 14, 1949
Date of Death: Missing required parameter 1=month!
Age: 77
Nationality: USA USA
Related Media
@ BW Media
[ Official Site]
IMDb profile


Christine Belford (born January 14, 1949) is an American actress who portrayed Leda, a disgruntled medtech, in the Original Series' "The Gun on Ice Planet Zero" two-parter.

Early Life

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Born in Amityville, New York,[external 1] Belford came from comfortable circumstances; her father was a successful sales executive with RCA-Whirlpool.[external 2] She was enrolled at the best schools and joined the best swimming and yachting clubs on Long Island.[external 3] Her early years were spent training and riding jumpers on Long Island.[external 4] Her family lived in the home that would later become the setting of the 1979 horror classic The Amityville Horror.[external 5]

Just because I came out here with no experience professionally doesn't mean I was a greenhorn. I grew up in a lovely home on Long Island, where I was born. My father was a successful man and his family enjoyed life. As a child, I rode and showed jumpers, was close to my family and had a lot of friends. No hang-ups. That is, until my parents divorced. That was a crusher. I took it hard.

—Christine Belford[external 6]

She noted that by the time she was old enough to realize everyone has to live their own life—even parents—she had the feeling she wanted to get away, to be on her own, to become completely independent.[external 7]

Her family discouraged idleness and she didn't grow up believing she would simply marry and be like Jackie.[external 8] She grew up thinking in terms of a career, considering psychiatry, law, and writing, and always remained a good student.[external 9] When she was 17, a friend suggested she should think of acting, which led her to pursue a career as an actress.[external 10]

Belford registered at Hofstra University and met Joseph Leon, the teacher who was then running the school's drama department. Leon, who had been divorced for several years, became a second father to her.[external 11] However, despite doing well in the drama department and knowing she had definite acting talent, nobody around New York or Broadway seemed to recognize it.[external 12]

In order to keep a roof over my head and to eat, I took any job I could find. I was a waitress, a bar maid, and I also drove an ice truck.

—Christine Belford[external 13]

She later got a photographic modeling job, and around this time she gave up a chance for a top role in Hair on Broadway to follow a man she was very much in love with to California.[external 14]

I was so much in love with him, I didn't really care what happened to my career. At that time, feeling the way I did, I would have done the same thing Carrie did, given it all up for love.

—Christine Belford[external 15]

Career

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In California, Belford met her good friend Carrie Snodgress, a star on the Universal Pictures lot.[external 16] Around 1970, Snodgress was taking acting-novice Christine around the studio introducing her to important people who might help her get started on a film career.[external 17] Snodgress suggested she visit Monique James, head of Universal's Hollywood talent division.[external 18]

Monique is the one who really took me in hand and encouraged me and told me to keep on trying—that I really had it.

—Christine Belford[external 19]

Thanks to James' mentorship, Belford started with a leading role with Paul Newman in Pocket Money.[external 20] She then worked in The Carey Treatment, Marcus Welby, Owen Marshall, and Ironside.[external 21]

In 1972, Belford was under a seven-year contract with Universal Pictures, the only studio in Hollywood still issuing such contracts thanks to television commitments.[external 22] She appeared in The Groundstar Conspiracy with George Peppard and Michael Sarrazin as her first feature film starring role,[external 23] and was cast as Peppard's girlfriend in Banacek, appearing in the series but not as a regular, which gave her opportunities for other roles.[external 24]

Throughout the 1970s, Belford guest-starred in many popular television series including The Six Million Dollar Man, The Incredible Hulk, and The Barbary Coast, where she did five 90-minute episodes.[external 25]

In 1978, Belford starred as policewoman Leba in the TV movie To Kill a Cop, which aired on NBC's The Big Event (April 10-11, 1978).[external 26] The four-hour drama starred Joe Don Baker and Louis Gossett Jr., with Belford's character partnered with Desi Arnaz Jr.'s character.[external 27]

I like comedy very much, but then I don't like drama too. On a week to week basis I think comedy would probably be better. I used to like the Mary Tyler Moore Show and I still like All in the Family.

—Christine Belford[external 28]

After Battlestar Galactica, Belford continued guest-starring in television series including Glen A. Larson's Magnum, P.I. and Quincy, M.E., as well as L.A. Law and Night Court.[external 29] She had recurring roles in Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.[external 30]

By 1984, Belford had returned to her natural blonde hair color to play Ricky Schroder's mother on Silver Spoons, appearing on the NBC series from time to time.[external 31] She also had a regular role on the CBS series Empire, playing Jackie, the wife of an executive (Richard Masur) in the Wednesday night comedy about corporate life.[external 32]

Personal Life

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Belford is married to actor Nicholas Pryor.[external 33] Pryor passed away on October 7, 2024, at the age of 89.[external 34]

Belford's mother Mary Belford Malone passed away on May 2, 2010.[external 35] Her stepfather (or acting mentor who became like a father) Joseph Riley passed away on February 3, 2012.[external 36]

References

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External Sources

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  1. ↑ Harvey Pack. "Christine Belford: Starlet of '72 (backup available on Archive.org)", July 2, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  2. ↑ Richard King. "Blonde back to natural (backup available on Archive.org)", January 19, 1984.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  3. ↑ Richard King. "Blonde back to natural (backup available on Archive.org)", January 19, 1984.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  4. ↑ Harvey Pack. "Christine Belford: Starlet of '72 (backup available on Archive.org)", July 2, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  5. ↑ Richard King. "Blonde back to natural (backup available on Archive.org)", January 19, 1984.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  6. ↑ Dorothy Manners. "Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile (backup available on Archive.org)", August 3, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  7. ↑ Dorothy Manners. "Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile (backup available on Archive.org)", August 3, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  8. ↑ Richard King. "Blonde back to natural (backup available on Archive.org)", January 19, 1984.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  9. ↑ Richard King. "Blonde back to natural (backup available on Archive.org)", January 19, 1984.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  10. ↑ Richard King. "Blonde back to natural (backup available on Archive.org)", January 19, 1984.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  11. ↑ Harvey Pack. "Christine Belford: Starlet of '72 (backup available on Archive.org)", July 2, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  12. ↑ Dorothy Manners. "Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile (backup available on Archive.org)", August 3, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  13. ↑ Dorothy Manners. "Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile (backup available on Archive.org)", August 3, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  14. ↑ Dorothy Manners. "Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile (backup available on Archive.org)", August 3, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  15. ↑ Dorothy Manners. "Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile (backup available on Archive.org)", August 3, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  16. ↑ Dorothy Manners. "Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile (backup available on Archive.org)", August 3, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  17. ↑ Dorothy Manners. "Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile (backup available on Archive.org)", August 3, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  18. ↑ Harvey Pack. "Christine Belford: Starlet of '72 (backup available on Archive.org)", July 2, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  19. ↑ Dorothy Manners. "Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile (backup available on Archive.org)", August 3, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  20. ↑ Dorothy Manners. "Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile (backup available on Archive.org)", August 3, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  21. ↑ Dorothy Manners. "Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile (backup available on Archive.org)", August 3, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  22. ↑ Harvey Pack. "Christine Belford: Starlet of '72 (backup available on Archive.org)", July 2, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  23. ↑ Dorothy Manners. "Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile (backup available on Archive.org)", August 3, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  24. ↑ Harvey Pack. "Christine Belford: Starlet of '72 (backup available on Archive.org)", July 2, 1972.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  25. ↑ Dennis Washburn. "Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV (backup available on Archive.org)", April 7, 1978.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  26. ↑ Dennis Washburn. "Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV (backup available on Archive.org)", April 7, 1978.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  27. ↑ Dennis Washburn. "Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV (backup available on Archive.org)", April 7, 1978.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  28. ↑ Dennis Washburn. "Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV (backup available on Archive.org)", April 7, 1978.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  29. ↑ Christine Belford (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). IMDb. Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  30. ↑ Christine Belford (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). IMDb. Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  31. ↑ Richard King. "Blonde back to natural (backup available on Archive.org)", January 19, 1984.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  32. ↑ Richard King. "Blonde back to natural (backup available on Archive.org)", January 19, 1984.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  33. ↑ Matt Webb Mitovich (October 7, 2024). Nicholas Pryor, of Port Charles, 90210 and Risky Business, Dead at 89: 'He Was an Actor's Actor' (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). TVLine. Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  34. ↑ Matt Webb Mitovich (October 7, 2024). Nicholas Pryor, of Port Charles, 90210 and Risky Business, Dead at 89: 'He Was an Actor's Actor' (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). TVLine. Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Mary Belford Malone (backup available on Archive.org)", May 9, 2010.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Joseph Riley's Obituary (backup available on Archive.org)", February 9, 2012.Retrieved on January 11, 2026.
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