Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor

  • Birthday: 1940-12-01
  • Deathday: 2005-12-10
  • Place of birth: Peoria, Illinois, USA
  • Also know as: Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor

Biography

Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor was an American stand-up comedian, actor, film director, social critic, satirist, writer, and MC. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful vulgarities, and profanity, as well as racial epithets. He reached a broad audience with his trenchant observations and storytelling style. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential stand-up comedians of all time: receiving praise from notable comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld, Bob Newhart, and Bill Cosby. His body of work includes the concert movies and recordings starting in the 70s and spanning three decades. He also starred in numerous films as an actor, in both comedic and dramatic roles. He collaborated on many projects with actor Gene Wilder and actor/comedian/writer Paul Mooney. Pryor won an Emmy Award (1973), and five Grammy Awards (1974, 1975, 1976, 1981, and 1982). In 1974, he also won two American Academy of Humor awards and the Writers Guild of America Award. The first ever Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor was presented to him in 1998. Pryor is listed at Number 1 on Comedy Central's list of all-time greatest stand-up comedians.

Filmography

Wattstax

1973

As Self

Brewster's Millions

1985

As Montgomery Brewster

See No Evil, Hear No Evil

1989

As Wallace 'Wally' Karue

Which Way Is Up?

1977

As Leroy Jones/Rufus Jones/Rev. Lenox Thomas

Another You

1991

As Eddie Dash

The Toy

1982

As Jack Brown

Bustin' Loose

1981

As Joe Braxton

Critical Condition

1987

As Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery

Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!

2003

As Self (archive footage)

Moving

1988

As Arlo Pear

Greased Lightning

1977

As Wendell Scott

Blue Collar

1978

As Zeke Brown

Some Kind of Hero

1982

As Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal

Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling

1986

As Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego

Richard Pryor: Icon

2014

As Self (archive footage)

Dynamite Chicken

1971

As Self

Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic

2013

As Self (archive footage)

Stir Crazy

1980

As Harry Monroe

Harlem Nights

1989

As Sugar Ray

Superman III

1983

As August "Gus" Gorman

Hit!

1973

As Mike Willmer

Adiós Amigo

1975

As Sam Spade

But... Seriously

1994

As Self (archive footage)

Juke and Opal

1973

As Juke

Silver Streak

1976

As Grover Muldoon

Lady Sings the Blues

1972

As Piano Man

The Mack

1973

As Slim

Lily

1973

As

Blacks and Jews

1997

As Self

Zeitgeist: Requiem

2024

As Self (archive footage)

In God We Tru$t

1980

As G.O.D.

Some Call It Loving

1973

As Jeff

Afro Promo

1997

As Self (archive footage)

The Three Muscatels

1991

As Narrator / Wino / Bartender

Uptown Saturday Night

1974

As Sharp Eye Washington

Carter's Army

1970

As Pvt. Jonathan Crunk

The Busy Body

1967

As Whittaker

Wild in the Streets

1968

As Stanley X

The Wiz

1978

As The Wiz

Lost Highway

1997

As Arnie

The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up

2022

As Self (archive footage)

Remembering Gene Wilder

2023

As Self (Archival Footage)

California Suite

1978

As Dr. Chauncey Gump

The Young Lawyers

1969

As Otis Tucker

The N Word

2006

As Himself (archive footage)

Wholly Moses

1980

As Pharaoh

Mel Brooks: Make a Noise

2013

As Self (archive footage)

Live at Mister Kelly's

2021

As Self (archive footage)

I Am Richard Pryor

2019

As Self - Actor and Comedian (archive footage)

Mad Dog Time

1996

As Jimmy the Gravedigger

The Muppet Movie

1979

As Balloon Vendor

A Walking Tour of Sesame Street

1979

As Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Car Wash

1976

As Daddy Rich

The Phynx

1970

As Richard Pryor

And the Oscar Goes To...

2014

As Self (archive footage)

Production

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