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Richard Pryor (1940–2005)

Actor | Writer | Producer

Highly influential, and always controversial, African/American actor/comedian who was equally well known for his colorful language during his live comedy shows, as for his fast paced life, multiple marriages and battles with drug addiction. He has been acknowledged by many modern comic artist's as a key influence on their careers... See full bio »

Born:

Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor III
in Peoria, Illinois, USA

Died:

(age 65) in Encino, Los Angeles, California, USA
Still of Richard Pryor in Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic Still of Richard Pryor in Superman III Still of Richard Pryor in Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic Richard Pryor 1988Los Angeles Gene Wilder, Jill Clayburgh and Richard Pryor in Silver Streak Richard Pryor
79 photos | 9 videos | 622 news articles »

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Won Primetime Emmy. Another 8 wins & 8 nominations See more awards »

Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideActor (47 titles)
1999 Norm (TV series)
Mr. Johnson
– Norm vs. the Boxer (1999) … Mr. Johnson
 
1997 Lost Highway
Arnie
 
1996 Malcolm & Eddie (TV series)
Uncle Buck
– Do the K.C. Hustle (1996) … Uncle Buck
 
1996 Mad Dog Time
Jimmy the Grave Digger
 
1995 Chicago Hope (TV series)
Joe Springer
– Stand (1995) … Joe Springer
 
1991 Another You
Eddie Dash
 
1991 The Three Muscatels
Narrator/Wino/Bartender
 
1989 Harlem Nights
Sugar Ray
 
1989 See No Evil, Hear No Evil
Wallace 'Wally' Karue
 
1988 Moving
Arlo Pear
 
1987 Critical Condition
Eddie Lenahan / Dr. Kevin Slattery
 
1986 Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
Jo Jo Dancer/Alter Ego
 
1985 Brewster's Millions
Montgomery Brewster
 
1983 Superman III
Gus Gorman
 
1982 The Toy
Jack Brown
 
1982 Some Kind of Hero
Eddie Keller
 
1981 Bustin' Loose
Joe Braxton
 
1980 Stir Crazy
Harry Monroe
 
1980 In God We Tru$t
G.O.D.
 
1980 Wholly Moses!
Pharaoh
 
1979 The Muppet Movie
Balloon Vendor
 
1978 California Suite
Dr. Chauncey Gump
 
1978 The Wiz
The Wiz (Herman Smith)
 
1978 Blue Collar
Zeke
 
1977 Which Way Is Up?
Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Reverend Lenox Thomas
 
1977 Greased Lightning
Wendell Scott
 
1976 Silver Streak
Grover
 
1976 Car Wash
Daddy Rich
 
1976 The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
Charlie Snow, All-Star (RF)
 
1976 Adiós Amigo
Sam Spade
 
1974 Uptown Saturday Night
Sharp Eye Washington
 
1973 Hit!
Mike Willmer
 
1973 Some Call It Loving
Jeff
 
1973 The Mack
Slim
 
1973 The Lily Tomlin Show (TV movie)
 
1972 Lady Sings the Blues
Piano Man
 
1972 Mod Squad (TV series)
Cat Griffin
– The Connection (1972) … Cat Griffin
 
1971 You've Got to Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat
Wino
 
1971 The Partridge Family (TV series)
A.E. Simon
– Soul Club (1971) … A.E. Simon
 
1970 The Phynx
Richard Pryor
 
1970 Carter's Army (TV movie)
Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
 
1969 The Young Lawyers (TV series)
– Pilot (1969)
 
1968 Wild in the Streets
Stanley X
 
1968 Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales
 
1967 ABC Stage 67 (TV series)
Undertaker
– A Time for Laughter: A Look at Negro Humor in America (1967) … Undertaker
 
1967 The Busy Body
Whittaker
 
1966 The Wild Wild West (TV series)
Villar
– The Night of the Eccentrics (1966) … Villar
 
Show ShowWriter (16 titles)
2004 Pryor Offenses (TV movie) (story)
 
1999 The Mark Twain Prize: Richard Pryor (TV movie) (uncredited)
 
1986 Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (written by)
 
1983 Richard Pryor... Here and Now (documentary) (writer)
 
1983 On Location: The Comedy Store's 11th Anniversary Show (TV movie)
 
1982 Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip (documentary)
 
1981 Bustin' Loose (story)
 
1979 Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (documentary) (writer)
 
1977 The Richard Pryor Show (TV series)
– Episode #1.4 (1977) (special material by)
– Episode #1.3 (1977) (special material by)
– Episode #1.2 (1977) (special material by)
– Episode #1.1 (1977) (special material by)
 
1977 The Richard Pryor Special? (TV movie)
 
1974 Blazing Saddles (screenplay)
 
1973-1974 Flip (TV series)
– Episode #4.18 (1974) (writer)
– Episode #4.17 (1974) (writer)
– Episode #4.16 (1974) (writer)
– Episode #4.15 (1974) (writer)
– Episode #4.14 (1973) (writer)
See all 18 episodes »
 
1973 Lily (TV movie)
 
1973 The Lily Tomlin Show (TV movie) (writer)
 
1972 Sanford and Son (TV series)
– Sanford and Son and Sister Makes Three (1972) (written by)
– The Dowry (1972) (written by)
 
1971 Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin' (documentary)
 
Show ShowProducer (6 titles)
2004 Pryor Offenses (TV movie) (executive producer)
 
1993 Mo' Funny: Black Comedy in America (TV documentary) (co-executive producer)
 
1986 Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (producer)
 
1982 Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip (documentary) (producer)
 
1981 Bustin' Loose (producer)
 
1977 The Richard Pryor Show (TV series) (executive producer)
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (4 titles)
1983 The 55th Annual Academy Awards (TV special) (performer: "It All Comes Down to This")
 
1982 Some Kind of Hero (performer: "Back in the Saddle Again")
 
1978 The Wiz (performer: "So You Wanted To See The Wizard")
 
1977 The Richard Pryor Special? (TV movie) (performer: "There's No Business Like Show Business")
 
Show ShowDirector (2 titles)
Show ShowMiscellaneous Crew (1 title)
1979 Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (documentary) (executive album producer)
 
Show ShowThanks (11 titles)
2012 Laff Mobb Presents (TV series) (special thanks - 2 episodes)
– Mark Viera: Tales of a Nuyorican (2012) (special thanks)
– Roz G: Ain't Got Jokes, Got Problems (2012) (special thanks)
 
2011 Nick DiPaolo: Raw Nerve (TV movie) (special thanks: comedy idol)
 
2010 Vixen Highway 2006: It Came from Uranus! (special thanks)
 
2008 Louis C.K.: Chewed Up (TV documentary) (thanks)
 
2007 George Lopez: America's Mexican (TV movie) (dedicated to the memory of)
 
2007 Louis C.K.: Shameless (TV documentary) (personal thanks: from Louis C. K.)
 
2006 You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman (video documentary) (dedicated to the memory of)
 
2003 Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! (TV documentary) (very special thanks)
 
1996 Hard Eight (special thanks)
 
1979 Pacific Inferno (special thanks)
 
1973 Wattstax (documentary) (special thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (74 titles)
2003 Bitter Jester (documentary)
Himself
 
2001 E! True Hollywood Story (TV series documentary)
Himself
– The Comedy Store (2001) … Himself
 
2001 The 15th Annual American Comedy Awards
Himself
 
1999 The Mark Twain Prize: Richard Pryor (TV movie)
Himself/Honoree
 
1998 Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh? (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1996 Biography (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Richard Pryor: Comic on the Edge (1996) … Himself
 
1996 The 10th Annual American Comedy Awards (TV movie)
Himself
 
1996 The Blackberry Inn (TV series)
Himself
 
1996 27th NAACP Image Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1995 Showbiz Today (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 31 May 1995 (1995) … Himself
 
1995 Who Makes You Laugh? (TV special)
Himself
 
1994 The Second Annual Comedy Hall of Fame (TV special)
Himself - Honoree
 
1994 Apollo Theatre Hall of Fame (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1994 BET's Comicview Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1994 A Century of Cinema (documentary)
Himself
 
1993 Apollo Theatre Hall of Fame (TV special documentary)
Himself - Honoree
 
1993 Martin (TV series)
Himself
– The Break-Up: Part 1 (1993) … Himself
 
1993 Soul Train Comedy Awards (TV movie)
Himself
 
1992 The 9th Annual American Cinema Awards (TV movie)
Himself
 
1992 The Comedy Store's 20th Birthday (TV movie)
Himself
 
1991 A Party for Richard Pryor (TV special)
Himself
 
1990 Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration (TV special)
Himself
 
1979-1989 Good Morning America (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 9 May 1989 (1989) … Himself
– Episode dated 5 August 1980 (1980) … Himself
– Episode dated 29 May 1979 (1979) … Himself
 
1986 One Voice (TV special documentary)
Himself - Audience Member (uncredited)
 
1979-1986 The Barbara Walters Summer Special (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 2 December 1986 (1986) … Himself
– Episode dated 29 May 1979 (1979) … Himself
 
1983-1986 Ebony/Jet Showcase (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 9 May 1986 (1986) … Himself
– Episode dated 26 June 1983 (1983) … Himself
– Episode dated 19 June 1983 (1983) … Himself
 
1984 Pryor's Place (TV series)
Himself
– Too Old Too Soon, Too Smart Too Late (1984) … Himself
– Home Free (1984) … Himself
– Cousin Rita (1984) … Himself
– The Showoff (1984) … Himself
– Kimosabe Blues (1984) … Himself
See all 10 episodes »
 
1973-1984 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 27 April 1984 (1984) … Himself
– Episode dated 9 February 1983 (1983) … Himself
– Episode dated 12 December 1980 (1980) … Himself
– Episode dated 5 September 1980 (1980) … Himself
– Episode dated 28 August 1974 (1974) … Himself
See all 8 episodes »
 
1984 Superstars of Comedy Salute the Improv (TV movie)
Himself
 
1983 Richard Pryor... Here and Now (documentary)
Himself
 
1983 Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever (TV documentary)
Himself/Host
 
1983 The 55th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Co-Host
 
1983 On Location: The Comedy Store's 11th Anniversary Show (TV movie)
Himself
 
1983 The 9th Annual People's Choice Awards (TV special)
Himself - Presenter: Favourite All Around Male Entertainer
 
1983 The Making of 'Superman III' (TV documentary)
Himself (uncredited) / Gus Gorman (uncredited)
 
1971-1982 Sesame Street (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #14.2 (1982) … Himself
– Episode #3.1 (1971) … Himself
 
1982 Hollywood: The Gift of Laughter (TV documentary)
Himself - Co-Host
 
1982 Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip (documentary)
Himself
 
1981 The 53rd Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Co-Presenter: Best Film Editing
 
1979 Hot Hero Sandwich (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 17 November 1979 (1979) … Himself
 
1979 The 21st Annual Grammy Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1979 Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (documentary)
Himself
 
1977 The Richard Pryor Show (TV series)
Himself / Various / U.S. President
– Episode #1.4 (1977) … Himself/Various
– Episode #1.3 (1977) … Himself/Various
– Episode #1.2 (1977) … Himself/Various
– Episode #1.1 (1977) … Himself / U.S. President / Various
 
1977 The Richard Pryor Special? (TV movie)
Himself / The Reverend James L. White / Idi Amin Dada / …
 
1977 The David Steinberg Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.24 (1977) … Himself
 
1977 The 49th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Co-Host
 
1977 The 19th Annual Grammy Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1973-1977 Soul Train (TV series documentary)
Guest / Himself / Himself - Guest Emcee
– Episode #6.24 (1977) … Guest
– Richard Pryor/Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes/South Shore Commission (1975) … Himself - Guest Emcee
– Friends of Distinction/Timmy Thomas/The Independents (1973) … Himself
 
1977 Donahue (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 5 January 1977 (1977) … Himself
 
1977 A Concert: Behind Prison Walls (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1975 Saturday Night Live (TV series)
Himself - Host / Various
– Richard Pryor/Gil Scott-Heron (1975) … Himself - Host/Various
 
1975 Sammy and Company (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 13 December 1975 (1975) … Himself
 
1965-1975 The Mike Douglas Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 1 July 1975 (1975) … Himself
– Episode dated 29 November 1974 (1974) … Himself
– Episode dated 28 November 1974 (1974) … Himself
– Episode dated 27 November 1974 (1974) … Himself
– Episode dated 26 November 1974 (1974) … Himself
See all 10 episodes »
 
1975 The Lion Roars Again (documentary short)
Himself (uncredited)
 
1972-1974 The Midnight Special (TV series)
Himself / Himself - Host
– Episode #2.37 (1974) … Himself
– Pilot (1972) … Himself - Host
 
1973-1974 Flip (TV series)
Himself / Various Characters
– Episode #4.15 (1974) … Himself
– Episode #4.8 (1973) … Himself
– Episode #4.3 (1973) … Himself/Various Characters
– Episode #4.1 (1973) … Himself
– Episode #3.22 (1973) … Himself
 
1973 Lily (TV movie)
Himself/Various Characters
 
1973 Wattstax (documentary)
Himself
 
1973 Black Omnibus (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.12 (1973) … Himself
 
1971 Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin' (documentary)
Himself
 
1971 Dynamite Chicken
Himself
 
1965-1970 The Ed Sullivan Show (TV series)
Comedian / Himself - Comedian
– Episode #24.7 (1970) … Himself - Comedian
– Episode #23.20 (1970) … Himself - Comedian
– Episode #21.35 (1968) … Comedian
– Episode #21.15 (1967) … Comedian
– Episode #20.40 (1967) … Comedian
See all 13 episodes »
 
1970 The David Frost Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #2.254 (1970) … Himself
 
1969 This Is Tom Jones (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Episode #1.1 (1969) … Himself
 
1968 Operation: Entertainment (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #2.12 (1968) … Himself
– Episode #2.6 (1968) … Himself
– Episode #1.3 (1968) … Himself
 
1968 Mod Squad (TV series)
Himself
– The Teeth of the Barracuda (1968) … Himself (uncredited)
 
1968 The Kraft Music Hall (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.33 (1968) … Himself
 
1967-1968 The Joey Bishop Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #2.197 (1968) … Himself
– Episode #2.196 (1968) … Himself
– Episode #2.195 (1968) … Himself
– Episode #2.194 (1968) … Himself
– Episode #2.193 (1968) … Himself
See all 14 episodes »
 
1968 The Steve Allen Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.7 (1968) … Himself
 
1968 The Pat Boone Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 8 March 1968 (1968) … Himself
– Episode dated 7 March 1968 (1968) … Himself
– Episode dated 6 March 1968 (1968) … Himself
– Episode dated 5 March 1968 (1968) … Himself
– Episode dated 18 January 1968 (1968) … Himself
 
1967 Away We Go (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 24 June 1967 (1967) … Himself
 
1966 The Kraft Summer Music Hall (TV series)
Regular
 
1965 The Merv Griffin Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #3.54 (1965) … Himself
– Episode #3.19 (1965) … Himself
– Episode #3.9 (1965) … Himself
– Episode #3.3 (1965) … Himself
– Episode #2.53 (1965) … Himself
See all 11 episodes »
 
1964 On Broadway Tonight (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 31 August 1964 (1964) … Himself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (45 titles)
2012 American Masters (TV series documentary)
 
2011 Imagine (TV series)
 
2011 My Favourite Joke (TV series)
 
2011 The 2011 Comedy Awards
Himself
 
2009 The Tragic Side of Comedy (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2009 Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America (TV series documentary)
 
2009 Notorious
Himself (uncredited)
 
2009 Shouting Fire: Stories from the Edge of Free Speech (documentary)
Himself
 
2008 Role Model: Gene Wilder (TV documentary)
Grover Muldoon (uncredited)
 
2007 100 Greatest Stand-Ups (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2007 Paul Mooney: Jesus Is Black - So Was Cleopatra - Know Your History (video documentary)
Himself (uncredited)
 
2006 The 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Memorial Tribute
 
2006 The Curse of Superman (TV documentary)
Himself/Gus Gorman (uncredited)
 
2006 The Drug Years (TV mini-series documentary)
 
2006 The 78th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
 
2006 The 48th Annual Grammy Awards (TV special)
Himself (in memoriam)
 
2005 Richard Pryor: The Funniest Man Dead or Alive (TV special documentary)
Himself
 
2005 Larry King Live (TV series)
 
2005 Entertainment Tonight (TV series)
 
2005 Saturday Night Live (TV series)
 
2005 Out of Africa: Heroes and Icons (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2005 Live from New York: The First 5 Years of Saturday Night Live (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2005 The Comedians' Comedian (TV documentary)
 
2004 The First Amendment Project: No Joking (TV documentary)
 
2004 The N Word (documentary)
Himself
 
2004 Comedy Central Presents: 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time (TV mini-series)
Himself #1
 
2004 When Stand-Up Comics Ruled the World (TV documentary)
Himself (uncredited)
 
2004 TV in Black: The First Fifty Years (video documentary)
Himself
 
2004 TV's Illest Minority Moments Presented by Ego Trip (TV movie)
 
2003 Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2003 101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2003 Uncensored Comedy: That's Not Funny! (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2003 E! True Hollywood Story (TV series documentary)
 
2002 Comedian (documentary)
Himself (uncredited)
 
2002 Heroes of Black Comedy (TV mini-series documentary)
 
2001 A Huey P. Newton Story (TV documentary)
Himself (uncredited)
 
2000 Me, Myself & Irene
Stand-Up Comedian on TV (uncredited)
 
1999 Saturday Night Live 25 (TV special documentary)
Himself (uncredited)
 
1998 A Really Big Show: Ed Sullivan's 50th Anniversary (TV special)
Himself
 
1996 Classic Stand-Up Comedy of Television (TV special documentary)
Himself
 
1995 Ed Sullivan All-Star Comedy Special (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1994 But... Seriously (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1993 Mo' Funny: Black Comedy in America (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1992 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV series)
 
1987 The Best of Chevy Chase (video documentary)
Himself
 

Related Videos

Cancer Can't Dance Like This: One Day at a Time -- Find out what happened on June 9 including famous birthdays like Johnny Depp and Michael J Fox; famous deaths like Charles Dickens; and notable events like Richard Pryor suffering burns at his home when a mixture of "free-base" cocaine exploded. See No Evil, Hear No Evil -- Trailer for See No Evil, Hear No Evil Biography: : -- A preview of "Biography: Richard Pryor."
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Personal Details

Other Works:

(1969) Album: "Richard Pryor" See more »

Publicity Listings:

2 Biographical Movies  | 5 Print Biographies  | 1 Interview  | 12 Articles  | 3 Magazine Cover Photos  | See more »

Official Sites:

Biography, news, photos etc. | Official Site | See more »

Height:

5' 10" (1.78 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

I had some great things and I had some bad things. The best and the worst. In other words, I had a life. See more »

Trivia:

He was invited to a private screening of Animal House by director 'John Landis (I)', who wanted Pryor's opinion about the scene at the black roadhouse. Landis and the film's backers were concerned that it would be offensive to black audiences. Pryor laughed out loud, and told them that it should definitely be kept in the movie. See more »

Trademark:

Foul language that has been compared to raw sewage mixed with social insight that has been compared to Mark Twain. See more »

Nickname:

Dick See more »

Star Sign:

Sagittarius