Richard Pryor
Personal Info
Known for
Acting
Gender
Male
Birthday
1940-12-01
Day of Death
2005-12-10 (65 years old)
Place of Birth
Peoria, Illinois, USA
Richard 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.
Known For
Acting
(2024)
Zeitgeist: Requiem
as Self (archive footage)
(2024)
Remembering Gene Wilder
as Self (archive footage)
(2024)
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
(2023)
(2022)
The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up
as Self (archive footage)
(2021)
Live at Mister Kelly's
as Self (archive footage)
(2020)
The Last Days of Richard Pryor
as Himself
(2019)
I Am Richard Pryor
as Self - Actor and Comedian (archive footage)
(2014)
And the Oscar Goes To...
as Self (archive footage)
(2014)
Richard Pryor: Icon
as Self (archive footage)
(2013)
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic
as Self (archive footage)
(2013)
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
as Self (archive footage)
(2008)
(2007)
Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s
as Self (archive footage)
(2006)
The N Word
as Self (archive footage)
(2003)
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
as Self (archive footage)
(2000)
Me, Myself & Irene
as Stand-Up Comedian on TV (archive footage) (uncredited)
(1999)
(1997)
Lost Highway
as Arnie
(1997)
Blacks and Jews
as Self
(1997)
Afro Promo
as Self (archive footage)
(1996)
Mad Dog Time
as Jimmy the Gravedigger
(1994)
But... Seriously
as Self (archive footage)
(1991)
Another You
as Eddie Dash
(1991)
The Three Muscatels
as Narrator / Wino / Bartender
(1990)
(1989)
See No Evil, Hear No Evil
as Wallace 'Wally' Karue
(1989)
Harlem Nights
as Sugar Ray
(1988)
Moving
as Arlo Pear
(1987)
Critical Condition
as Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery
(1986)
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
as Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego
(1986)
(1985)
Brewster's Millions
as Montgomery Brewster
(1985)
The Making of 'Superman III'
as Self
(1983)
Superman III
as August 'Gus' Gorman
(1983)
(1983)
Richard Pryor: Here and Now
as Self
(1982)
The Toy
as Jack Brown
(1982)
Some Kind of Hero
as Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal
(1982)
(1981)
Bustin' Loose
as Joe Braxton
(1980)
Stir Crazy
as Harry Monroe
(1980)
Wholly Moses
as Pharaoh
(1980)
In God We Tru$t
as G.O.D.
(1979)
The Muppet Movie
as Balloon Vendor
(1979)
(1979)
A Walking Tour of Sesame Street
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
(1978)
The Wiz
as The Wiz
(1978)
Blue Collar
as Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
(1978)
California Suite
as Dr. Chauncey Gump
(1977)
Greased Lightning
as Wendell Scott
(1977)
Which Way Is Up?
as Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas
(1977)
The Richard Pryor Special?
as Self / Various
(1977)
(1977)
(1976)
Car Wash
as Daddy Rich
(1976)
Silver Streak
as Grover Muldoon
(1976)
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
as Charlie Snow
(1975)
Adiós Amigo
as Sam Spade
(1975)
Carter's Army
as Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
(1975)
The Lion Roars Again
as Self
(1974)
Uptown Saturday Night
as Sharp Eye Washington
(1974)
Flip Wilson... Of Course
as Self
(1973)
Hit!
as Mike Willmer
(1973)
Wattstax
as Self
(1973)
The Mack
as Slim
(1973)
Juke and Opal
as Juke
(1973)
(1973)
Some Call It Loving
as Jeff
(1972)
Lady Sings the Blues
as Piano Man
(1971)
Dynamite Chicken
as Self
(1971)
(1971)
(1970)
The Phynx
as Richard Pryor
(1969)
The Young Lawyers
as Otis Tucker
(1969)
(1968)
Wild in the Streets
as Stanley X
(1967)
The Busy Body
as Whittaker
Crew
(2022)
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
Original Film Writer
(1986)
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
Director, Screenplay, Producer
(1983)
Richard Pryor: Here and Now
Director, Writer
(1982)
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
Writer, Producer
(1981)
Bustin' Loose
Story, Producer
(1979)
(1977)
(1974)
Blazing Saddles
Screenplay
(1973)
Lily
Writer
(1971)
(1969)
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales
Writer