Richard Pryor
Born
December 1, 1940
Died
December 10, 2005 (65 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
Peoria, Illinois, USA
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
Stand-Up: The Laughing Therapy
Self (archive footage) · (1 episode)
2024
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2024
Remembering Gene Wilder
Self (archive footage)
2024
Zeitgeist: Requiem
Self (archive footage)
2024
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
2023
Dark Side of Comedy
Self (Archive Footage) · (1 episode)
2022
The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up
Self (archive footage)
2022
Live at Mister Kelly's
Self (archive footage)
2021
Superstar
Self (archive footage) · (1 episode)
2021
The Comedy Store
Self (archive footage) · (5 episodes)
2020
The Last Days of Richard Pryor
Himself
2020
I Am Richard Pryor
Self - Actor and Comedian (archive footage)
2019
Richard Pryor: Icon
Self (archive footage)
2014
And the Oscar Goes To...
Self (archive footage)
2014
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
Self (archive footage)
2013
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic
Self (archive footage)
2013
Black and White Trypps Number Four
2008
Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s
Self (archive footage)
2007
Legends
G.O.D. (archive footage) (uncredited) · (1 episode)
2006
The N Word
Self (archive footage)
2006
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
Self (archive footage)
2003
A Huey P. Newton Story
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2001
Me, Myself & Irene
Stand-Up Comedian on TV (archive footage) (uncredited)
2000
Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?
Self
1999
The Norm Show
(1 episode)
1999
Blacks and Jews
Self
1997
Afro Promo
Self (archive footage)
1997
Lost Highway
Arnie
1997
Mad Dog Time
Jimmy the Gravedigger
1996
Chicago Hope
(1 episode)
1994
But... Seriously
Self (archive footage)
1994
Martin
(1 episode)
1992
The Three Muscatels
Narrator / Wino / Bartender
1991
Another You
Eddie Dash
1991
Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration
Self
1990
Harlem Nights
Sugar Ray
1989
See No Evil, Hear No Evil
Wallace 'Wally' Karue
1989
Moving
Arlo Pear
1988
Critical Condition
Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery
1987
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego
1986
TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines
Self
1986
The Making of 'Superman III'
Self
1985
Brewster's Millions
Montgomery Brewster
1985
Pryor's Place
Richard Pryor · (13 episodes)
1984
Richard Pryor: Here and Now
Self
1983
Superman III
August 'Gus' Gorman
1983
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
Self
1983
The Toy
Jack Brown
1982
Some Kind of Hero
Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal
1982
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
Self
1982
Bustin' Loose
Joe Braxton
1981
Stir Crazy
Harry Monroe
1980
In God We Tru$t
G.O.D.
1980
Wholly Moses
Pharaoh
1980
The Muppet Movie
Balloon Vendor
1979
A Walking Tour of Sesame Street
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
1979
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert
Self
1979
California Suite
Dr. Chauncey Gump
1978
The Wiz
The Wiz
1978
Blue Collar
Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
1978
Which Way Is Up?
Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas
1977
The Richard Pryor Show
Host · (5 episodes)
1977
The Richard Pryor show Volume 2
Self
1977
The Richard Pryor Show Volume I
1977
Greased Lightning
Wendell Scott
1977
The Richard Pryor Special?
Self / Various
1977
Silver Streak
Grover Muldoon
1976
Car Wash
Daddy Rich
1976
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
Charlie Snow
1976
Adiós Amigo
Sam Spade
1975
Carter's Army
Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
1975
The Lion Roars Again
Self
1975
Dinah!
Self · (1 episode)
1974
Flip Wilson... Of Course
Self
1974
Uptown Saturday Night
Sharp Eye Washington
1974
Juke and Opal
Juke
1973
Some Call It Loving
Jeff
1973
Lily
1973
Hit!
Mike Willmer
1973
The Mack
Slim
1973
Wattstax
Self
1973
Lady Sings the Blues
Piano Man
1972
The Midnight Special
Host · (1 episode)
1972
You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat
Wino
1971
Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'
Self
1971
Dynamite Chicken
Self
1971
The Young Lawyers
(24 episodes)
1970
The Flip Wilson Show
Self · (1 episode)
1970
The Phynx
Richard Pryor
1970
The Young Lawyers
Otis Tucker
1969
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales
1969
Wild in the Streets
Stanley X
1968
The Busy Body
Whittaker
1967
The Merv Griffin Show
Self · (9 episodes)
1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self · (7 episodes)
1962
The Mike Douglas Show
Self - Co-Host · (2 episodes)
1961
Kraft Music Hall
Self · (1 episode)
1958
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self · (1 episode)
1948