Richard S. "Cactus" Pryor (1923 - 2011) was a comedic television and broadcast personality from Austin, Texas. Pryor was born straight into the entertainment business. His father owned the Cactus Theater on Congress Avenue (hence the nickname), and he started making stage appearances before shows at three years old. Pryor attended the University of Texas at Austin and served in the US Army Air Corp. When he returned to Austin from his service in 1944, Pryor joined the broadcasting team at Lady Bird Johnson's KLBJ radio station, where he worked until 2008. He joined the world of broadcast television in 1951 at KTBC, where he was program manager and hosted a variety of television programs, including a football program with Darrell K Royal and many celebrity interviews. Pryor appeared in two films with his friend John Wayne, Hellfighters and The Green Berets.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, he became a sought-after speaker and event host, famous for his roasts of entertainers and politicians, most of whom he counted as close friends. Pryor was also known for his disguises. He would appear at functions in character, often pulling a fast one on the crowd as he charmed them first in disguise, then again as he revealed himself and used his earlier conversations to entertain the crowd. As an active member of Austin's Headliners Club, Pryor starred in many humorous television news satires alongside Texas politicians, some of which can be seen in his film collection, as well as the Gordon Wilkison Collection and the Wallace and Euna Pryor Collection.

Known to many as the "Voice of the Longhorns," Wally Pryor served as the announcer for UT sports from 1953 until 2002. While his voice was certainly recognizable he also played an active role as a producer—for KTBC, amongst others—and regularly served as an emcee for various events. Wally regularly worked as a producer for his older brother Richard "Cactus" Pryor. The films in the Wally Pryor collection represent a range of films, including home movies, various pieces he produced, films featuring himself, and several films featuring Cactus Pryor.