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Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor

Department: Acting

Biography

Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor (December 1, 1940 – December 10, 2005) 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

Lost Highway

Lost Highway

1997

Wattstax

Wattstax

1973

See No Evil, Hear No Evil

See No Evil, Hear No Evil

1989

Brewster's Millions

Brewster's Millions

1985

Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip

Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip

1982

Richard Pryor: Here and Now

Richard Pryor: Here and Now

1983

Silver Streak

Silver Streak

1976

Richard Pryor: Live in Concert

Richard Pryor: Live in Concert

1979

Bustin' Loose

Bustin' Loose

1981

Stir Crazy

Stir Crazy

1980

Lady Sings the Blues

Lady Sings the Blues

1972

Which Way Is Up?

Which Way Is Up?

1977

Another You

Another You

1991

Critical Condition

Critical Condition

1987

Carter's Army

Carter's Army

1975

The Toy

The Toy

1982

The Wiz

The Wiz

1978

I Am Richard Pryor

I Am Richard Pryor

2019

Wholly Moses

Wholly Moses

1980

Harlem Nights

Harlem Nights

1989

Superman III

Superman III

1983

California Suite

California Suite

1978

Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!

Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!

2003

Mel Brooks: Make a Noise

Mel Brooks: Make a Noise

2013

Greased Lightning

Greased Lightning

1977

Moving

Moving

1988

The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings

The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings

1976

Uptown Saturday Night

Uptown Saturday Night

1974

The Busy Body

The Busy Body

1967

The Mack

The Mack

1973

Wild in the Streets

Wild in the Streets

1968

Blue Collar

Blue Collar

1978

Some Kind of Hero

Some Kind of Hero

1982

The Phynx

The Phynx

1970

Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling

Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling

1986

Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'

Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'

1971

Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s

Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s

2007

Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?

Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?

1999

Hit!

Hit!

1973

In God We Tru$t

In God We Tru$t

1980

Some Call It Loving

Some Call It Loving

1973

The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up

The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up

2022

Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight

Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight

2023

But... Seriously

But... Seriously

1994

Richard Pryor: Icon

Richard Pryor: Icon

2014

The Muppet Movie

The Muppet Movie

1979

Remembering Gene Wilder

Remembering Gene Wilder

2024

Zeitgeist: Requiem

Zeitgeist: Requiem

2024

Adiós Amigo

Adiós Amigo

1975

The Richard Pryor Special?

The Richard Pryor Special?

1977

Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration

Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration

1990

Dynamite Chicken

Dynamite Chicken

1971

The Making of 'Superman III'

The Making of 'Superman III'

1985

TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines

TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines

1986

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

Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales

Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales

1969

Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution

Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution

2024

The Richard Pryor show Volume 2

The Richard Pryor show Volume 2

1977

The Young Lawyers

The Young Lawyers

1969

Afro Promo

Afro Promo

1997

Black and White Trypps Number Four

Black and White Trypps Number Four

2008

Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever

Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever

1983

Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic

Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic

2013

Juke and Opal

Juke and Opal

1973

The Three Muscatels

The Three Muscatels

1991

The Last Days of Richard Pryor

The Last Days of Richard Pryor

2020

Lily

Lily

1973

Mad Dog Time

Mad Dog Time

1996

Blacks and Jews

Blacks and Jews

1997

Car Wash

Car Wash

1976

The N Word

The N Word

2006

The Lion Roars Again

The Lion Roars Again

1975

A Walking Tour of Sesame Street

A Walking Tour of Sesame Street

1979

Flip Wilson... Of Course

Flip Wilson... Of Course

1974

Me, Myself & Irene

Me, Myself & Irene

2000

A Huey P. Newton Story

A Huey P. Newton Story

2001

101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment

101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment

2003

Untitled Joan Rivers Documentary

Untitled Joan Rivers Documentary

Breakdown: 1975

Breakdown: 1975

2025

John Candy: I Like Me

John Candy: I Like Me

2025

I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not

I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not

2025

Group Therapy

Group Therapy

2024

Martin

Martin

1992

The Merv Griffin Show

The Merv Griffin Show

1962

The Richard Pryor Show

The Richard Pryor Show

1977

Chicago Hope

Chicago Hope

1994

The Comedy Store

The Comedy Store

2020

Pryor's Place

Pryor's Place

1984

The Young Lawyers

The Young Lawyers

1970

The Mike Douglas Show

The Mike Douglas Show

1961

The Midnight Special

The Midnight Special

1972

Dark Side of Comedy

Dark Side of Comedy

2022

Superstar

Superstar

2021

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962

The Ed Sullivan Show

The Ed Sullivan Show

1948

The Flip Wilson Show

The Flip Wilson Show

1970

Legends

Legends

2006

Dinah!

Dinah!

1974

Kraft Music Hall

Kraft Music Hall

1958

Stand-Up: The Laughing Therapy

Stand-Up: The Laughing Therapy

2024

The Norm Show

The Norm Show

1999

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

1975

The Partridge Family

The Partridge Family

1970

I Am

I Am

2012

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962