Richard Pryor

Known for ActingBorn 1940-12-01Died 2005-12-10Peoria, Illinois, U.S.

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.Read more

Movies & web series

The Young Lawyers

The Three Muscatels

Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration

Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever

But... Seriously

Dark Side of Comedy

You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat

Mel Brooks: Make a Noise

The Last Days of Richard Pryor

John Candy: I Like Me

Group Therapy

Afro Promo

Blacks and Jews

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

The Midnight Special

The Comedy Store

Remembering Gene Wilder

Lost Highway

Martin

The N Word

Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip

The Norm Show

Richard Pryor: Live in Concert

Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Blue Collar

Chicago Hope

I Am Richard Pryor

Breakdown: 1975

The Muppet Movie

Blazing Saddles

The Richard Pryor Special?

The Busy Body

Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special

Pryor's Place

Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank

I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not

Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?

Dinah!

The Young Lawyers

Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales

Saturday Night Live

See No Evil, Hear No Evil

Richard Pryor: Icon

The Making of 'Superman III'

Lady Sings the Blues

Richard Pryor: Here and Now

The Partridge Family