John Pryor, Jr.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| American Dreams character | |
| JJ Pryor | |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Eye color | Blue |
| Portrayed by | Will Estes |
Corporal John "JJ" Pryor, Jr. (born c. April, 1946) is a fictional character on the television show American Dreams, played by Will Estes of 7th Heaven fame.
In the first season, JJ is a senior at East Catholic High School and a football star attempting to get into Notre Dame at his father's urgings. He is accepted but does not receive a scholarship to go. However, JJ ends up enlisting into the Marines and is eventually sent to fight in the Vietnam War, leaving behind his girlfriend Beth Mason.
While meeting with Beth in Hawaii, he gets her pregnant. Beth gave birth to their son (John Pryor III) while JJ was still in Vietnam. JJ was Missing in Action in Vietnam after being selected for a covert mission. His family learned he would be returning home on Christmas Eve 1965. While in Vietnam, JJ was promoted to Lance Corporal, but according to his uniform upon his return he was further promoted to Corporal.
JJ and Beth were married on April 23, 1966. JJ was working at the Marine recruiting center until his old high school coach offered him a job. Before his tour was over, JJ took his sister, Meg to her prom because her boyfriend Chris left town and left her dateless to her senior prom and surprise-surprise, Meg and JJ win "Coolest Couple."
At the end of the episode, JJ gets beat up by two cops because of his father's politics. JJ is having a hard time dealing with life after he comes home from Vietnam and although it is not yet clear, he may suffer from PTSD. Knowing JJ, he will come around soon enough and get out of his parents' attic and house, so he and Beth can have a life of their own with their son.
JJ has recently become an assistant football coach and an employee at a NASA-affiliated company.
