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Richard Pryor
Actor

Richard Pryor

1 Dec 1940Born
10 Dec 2005Died
65Age at death
58Credits

Biography

Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor III (December 1, 1940 – December 10, 2005) 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.

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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

Filmography

  1. 2023Betye Saar: Drifting Toward TwilightFilm
  2. 2008Black and White Trypps Number FourFilm
  3. 2006LegendsSeries: G.O.D. (archive footage) (uncredited) (1 episode)
  4. 1999Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary SpecialFilm: (archive footage)
  5. 1999The Norm ShowSeries (1 episode)
  6. 1997Lost HighwayFilm: Arnie
  7. 1996Mad Dog TimeFilm: Jimmy the Gravedigger
  8. 1994Chicago HopeSeries: Joe Springer (1 episode)
  9. 1992MartinSeries: Richard Pryor (1 episode)
  10. 1991The Three MuscatelsFilm: Narrator / Wino / Bartender
  11. 1991Another YouFilm: Eddie Dash
  12. 1989Harlem NightsFilm: Sugar Ray
  13. 1989See No Evil, Hear No EvilFilm: Wallace 'Wally' Karue
  14. 1988MovingFilm: Arlo Pear
  15. 1987Critical ConditionFilm: Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery
  16. 1986Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is CallingFilm: Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego, Screenplay, Director
  17. 1985Brewster's MillionsFilm: Montgomery Brewster
  18. 1984Pryor's PlaceSeries: Richard Pryor, Creator (13 episodes)
  19. 1983Richard Pryor: Here and NowFilm: Writer, Director
  20. 1983Superman IIIFilm: August 'Gus' Gorman
  21. 1982The ToyFilm: Jack Brown
  22. 1982Some Kind of HeroFilm: Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal
  23. 1982Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset StripFilm: Writer
  24. 1981Bustin' LooseFilm: Joe Braxton
  25. 1980Stir CrazyFilm: Harry Monroe
  26. 1980In God We Tru$tFilm: G.O.D.
  27. 1980Wholly MosesFilm: Pharaoh
  28. 1979The Muppet MovieFilm: Balloon Vendor
  29. 1979Richard Pryor: Live in ConcertFilm: Writer
  30. 1978The WizFilm: The Wiz
  31. 1978California SuiteFilm: Dr. Chauncey Gump
  32. 1978Blue CollarFilm: Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
  33. 1977Which Way Is Up?Film: Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas
  34. 1977The Richard Pryor ShowSeries: Host, Creator (5 episodes)
  35. 1977Greased LightningFilm: Wendell Scott
  36. 1977The Richard Pryor Special?Film: Writer
  37. 1976Silver StreakFilm: Grover Muldoon
  38. 1976Car WashFilm: Daddy Rich
  39. 1976The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor KingsFilm: Charlie Snow
  40. 1975Adiós AmigoFilm: Sam Spade
  41. 1975Carter's ArmyFilm: Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
  42. 1974Uptown Saturday NightFilm: Sharp Eye Washington
  43. 1974Blazing SaddlesFilm: Screenplay
  44. 1973Juke and OpalFilm: Juke
  45. 1973Some Call It LovingFilm: Jeff
  46. 1973LilyFilm: Writer
  47. 1973Hit!Film: Mike Willmer
  48. 1973The MackFilm: Slim
  49. 1972Lady Sings the BluesFilm: Piano Man
  50. 1971You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That BeatFilm: Wino
  51. 1971Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'Film: Writer
  52. 1970The Partridge FamilySeries: A.E. Simon (1 episode)
  53. 1970The Young LawyersSeries (24 episodes)
  54. 1970The PhynxFilm: Richard Pryor
  55. 1969The Young LawyersFilm: Otis Tucker
  56. 1969Uncle Tom's Fairy TalesFilm: Writer
  57. 1968Wild in the StreetsFilm: Stanley X
  58. 1967The Busy BodyFilm: Whittaker

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.