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Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor

Acting
Born: Dec 01, 1940 — Died: Dec 10, 2005
From: Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
Credits: 30 titles

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 …

Filmography

Title Character Year Rating
I Am Richard Pryor Self - Actor and Comedian … 2019 6.9
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise Self (archive footage) 2013 8.2
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! Self (archive footage) 2003 8.2
Lost Highway Arnie 1997 7.5
Another You Eddie Dash 1991 5.439
See No Evil, Hear No Evil Wallace 'Wally' Karue 1989 6.761
Harlem Nights Sugar Ray 1989 6.05
Moving Arlo Pear 1988 5.554
Critical Condition Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery 1987 5.475
Brewster's Millions Montgomery Brewster 1985 6.601
Richard Pryor: Here and Now Self 1983 6.62
Superman III August 'Gus' Gorman 1983 5.507
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip Self 1982 7.367
The Toy Jack Brown 1982 5.914
Bustin' Loose Joe Braxton 1981 6.2
Stir Crazy Harry Monroe 1980 6.503
Wholly Moses Pharaoh 1980 4.9
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert Self 1979 7.381
The Wiz The Wiz 1978 6.089
California Suite Dr. Chauncey Gump 1978 5.82
Which Way Is Up? Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones … 1977 6.1
Greased Lightning Wendell Scott 1977 6.4
Silver Streak Grover Muldoon 1976 6.723
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings Charlie Snow 1976 6.022
Carter's Army Pvt. Jonathan Crunk 1975 4.423
Uptown Saturday Night Sharp Eye Washington 1974 6.231
Wattstax Self 1973 7.0
The Mack Slim 1973 6.415
Lady Sings the Blues Piano Man 1972 6.9
The Busy Body Whittaker 1967 7.222
Quick Facts
Known forActing
Credits30
Born1940
FromPeoria, Illinois, U.S.