Richard Pryor
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.
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (40)
Breakdown: 1975
as Self (archive footage)
2025
I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not
as Self (archive footage)
2025
John Candy: I Like Me
as Self - Actor (archive footage)
2025
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2024
Remembering Gene Wilder
as Self (archive footage)
2024
Zeitgeist: Requiem
as Self (archive footage)
2024
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
2023
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
Original Film Writer (Writing)
2022
The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up
as Self (archive footage)
2022
The Last Days of Richard Pryor
as Himself
2020
I Am Richard Pryor
as Self - Actor and Comedian (archive footage)
2019
Richard Pryor: Icon
as Self (archive footage)
2014
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
as Self (archive footage)
2013
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic
as Self (archive footage)
2013
Black and White Trypps Number Four
2008
Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s
as Self (archive footage)
2007
The N Word
as Self (archive footage)
2006
101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment
as Self (archive footage)
2003
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
as Self (archive footage)
2003
A Huey P. Newton Story
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2001
Me, Myself & Irene
as Stand-Up Comedian on TV (archive footage) (uncredited)
2000
Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?
as Self
1999
Blacks and Jews
as Self
1997
Afro Promo
as Self (archive footage)
1997
Lost Highway
as Arnie
1997
Mad Dog Time
as Jimmy the Gravedigger
1996
But... Seriously
as Self (archive footage)
1994
The Three Muscatels
as Narrator / Wino / Bartender
1991
Another You
as Eddie Dash
1991
Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration
as Self
1990
Harlem Nights
as Sugar Ray
1989
See No Evil, Hear No Evil
as Wallace 'Wally' Karue
1989
Moving
as Arlo Pear
1988
Critical Condition
as Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery
1987
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
as Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego
1986
TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines
as Self
1986
The Making of 'Superman III'
as Self
1985
Brewster's Millions
as Montgomery Brewster
1985
Richard Pryor: Here and Now
as Self
1983
Superman III
as August 'Gus' Gorman
1983
TV Shows (10)
Stand-Up: The Laughing Therapy
as Self (archive footage)
2024
Dark Side of Comedy
as Self (Archive Footage)
2022
Superstar
as Self (archive footage)
2021
The Comedy Store
as Self (archive footage)
2020
I Am
as Self
2012
Legends
as G.O.D. (archive footage) (uncredited)
2006
The Norm Show
1999
Chicago Hope
as Joe Springer
1994
Martin
as Richard Pryor
1992
Pryor's Place
as Richard Pryor
1984