Richard Pryor
Acting
- Born:
- 1940-12-01
- Died:
- 2005-12-10
- Place of birth:
- Peoria, Illinois, USA
Biography
Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor III (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
Filmography
Jerry West: The Logo
Breakdown: 1975
I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not
John Candy: I Like Me
Stand-Up: The Laughing Therapy
Hollywood Black
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
Group Therapy
Remembering Gene Wilder
Zeitgeist: Requiem
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
Dark Side of Comedy
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up
Superstar
The Comedy Store
The Last Days of Richard Pryor
I Am Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor: Icon
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic
I Am
Black and White Trypps Number Four
Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s
Legends
The N Word
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment
A Huey P. Newton Story
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special
Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?
The Norm Show
Blacks and Jews
Afro Promo
Lost Highway
Mad Dog Time
Chicago Hope
But... Seriously
A Century of Cinema
Martin
A Party For Richard Pryor
The Three Muscatels
Another You
Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration
Harlem Nights
See No Evil, Hear No Evil
Moving
Critical Condition
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines
The Making of 'Superman III'
Brewster's Millions
Pryor's Place
Richard Pryor: Here and Now
Superman III
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
The Toy
Some Kind of Hero
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
Bustin' Loose