Richard Pryor
Born
December 1, 1940 (age 65)
Died
December 10, 2005
Birthplace
Peoria, Illinois, USA

Richard Pryor

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.

Movies

Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
2023
Black and White Trypps Number Four
Black and White Trypps Number Four
2008 ★ 5.8
Me, Myself & Irene
Me, Myself & Irene
2000 ★ 6.6
Stand-Up Comedian on TV (archive footage) (uncredited)
Lost Highway
Lost Highway
1997 ★ 7.5
Arnie
Mad Dog Time
Mad Dog Time
1996 ★ 5.2
Jimmy the Gravedigger
The Three Muscatels
The Three Muscatels
1991
Narrator / Wino / Bartender
Another You
Another You
1991 ★ 5.4
Eddie Dash
Harlem Nights
Harlem Nights
1989 ★ 6.1
Sugar Ray
See No Evil, Hear No Evil
See No Evil, Hear No Evil
1989 ★ 6.8
Wallace 'Wally' Karue
Moving
Moving
1988 ★ 5.5
Arlo Pear
Critical Condition
Critical Condition
1987 ★ 5.5
Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
1986 ★ 6.3
Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego
Brewster's Millions
Brewster's Millions
1985 ★ 6.6
Montgomery Brewster
Superman III
Superman III
1983 ★ 5.5
August 'Gus' Gorman
The Toy
The Toy
1982 ★ 5.9
Jack Brown
Some Kind of Hero
Some Kind of Hero
1982 ★ 5.5
Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal
Bustin' Loose
Bustin' Loose
1981 ★ 6.1
Joe Braxton
Stir Crazy
Stir Crazy
1980 ★ 6.5
Harry Monroe
In God We Tru$t
In God We Tru$t
1980 ★ 6.0
G.O.D.
Wholly Moses
Wholly Moses
1980 ★ 4.7
Pharaoh
The Muppet Movie
The Muppet Movie
1979 ★ 7.2
Balloon Vendor
The Wiz
The Wiz
1978 ★ 6.0
The Wiz
California Suite
California Suite
1978 ★ 5.8
Dr. Chauncey Gump
Blue Collar
Blue Collar
1978 ★ 7.3
Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
Which Way Is Up?
Which Way Is Up?
1977 ★ 6.0
Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas
The Richard Pryor Show Volume I
The Richard Pryor Show Volume I
1977 ★ 6.0
Greased Lightning
Greased Lightning
1977 ★ 6.3
Wendell Scott
Silver Streak
Silver Streak
1976 ★ 6.7
Grover Muldoon
Car Wash
Car Wash
1976 ★ 5.9
Daddy Rich
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
1976 ★ 5.9
Charlie Snow
Adiós Amigo
Adiós Amigo
1975 ★ 3.0
Sam Spade
Carter's Army
Carter's Army
1975 ★ 4.0
Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
Uptown Saturday Night
Uptown Saturday Night
1974 ★ 6.1
Sharp Eye Washington
Juke and Opal
Juke and Opal
1973
Juke
Some Call It Loving
Some Call It Loving
1973 ★ 4.7
Jeff
Lily
Lily
1973
Hit!
Hit!
1973 ★ 5.6
Mike Willmer
The Mack
The Mack
1973 ★ 6.4
Slim
Lady Sings the Blues
Lady Sings the Blues
1972 ★ 6.9
Piano Man
You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat
You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat
1971 ★ 8.5
Wino
The Phynx
The Phynx
1970 ★ 3.2
Richard Pryor
The Young Lawyers
The Young Lawyers
1969
Otis Tucker
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales
1969
Wild in the Streets
Wild in the Streets
1968 ★ 5.8
Stanley X
The Busy Body
The Busy Body
1967 ★ 6.9
Whittaker

TV Series