Richard Pryor
Known For
Acting
Born
1940-12-01 in Peoria, Illinois, USA
Died
2005-12-10
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.
Most Known For
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self
Saturday Night Live
as Self - Host
The Mike Douglas Show
as Self - Co-Host
The Merv Griffin Show
as Self
Chicago Hope
as Joe Springer
Martin
as Richard Pryor
The Partridge Family
as A.E. Simon
The Ed Sullivan Show
as Self
The Norm Show
Dinah!
as Self
Kraft Music Hall
as Self
The Midnight Special
as Self
Me, Myself & Irene
as Stand-Up Comedian on TV (archive footage) (uncredited)
Lost Highway
as Arnie
Legends
as G.O.D. (archive footage) (uncredited)
Superman III
as August 'Gus' Gorman
The Flip Wilson Show
as Self
The Muppet Movie
as Balloon Vendor
Stir Crazy
as Harry Monroe
The Wiz
as The Wiz