Richard Pryor
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.
Acting
Movie
Lost Highway
as Arnie
1997
Movie
Superman III
as August 'Gus' Gorman
1983
Movie
See No Evil, Hear No Evil
as Wallace 'Wally' Karue
1989
Movie
The Muppet Movie
as Balloon Vendor
1979
Movie
Brewster's Millions
as Montgomery Brewster
1985
TV
Saturday Night Live
as Self - Host
1975
Movie
Stir Crazy
as Harry Monroe
1980
Movie
Silver Streak
as Grover Muldoon
1976
Movie
Harlem Nights
as Sugar Ray
1989
Movie
The Wiz
as The Wiz
1978
Movie
The Toy
as Jack Brown
1982
Movie
Blue Collar
as Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
1978
Movie
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert
as Self
1979
TV
Martin
as Richard Pryor
1992
Movie
Moving
as Arlo Pear
1988
Movie
Car Wash
as Daddy Rich
1976
Movie
California Suite
as Dr. Chauncey Gump
1978
Movie
Another You
as Eddie Dash
1991
Movie
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
as Self
1982
Movie
John Candy: I Like Me
as Self - Actor (archive footage)
2025
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self
1962
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self (archive footage)
1962
Movie
Critical Condition
as Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery
1987
TV
Chicago Hope
as Joe Springer
1994
Crew
Movie
Blazing Saddles
Screenplay
1974
Movie
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
Original Film Writer
2022
Movie
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert
Writer
1979
Movie
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
Producer
1982
Movie
Bustin' Loose
Story
1981
Movie
Richard Pryor: Here and Now
Director
1983
Movie
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
Screenplay
1986
Movie
Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'
Writer
1971
TV
The Richard Pryor Show
Creator
1977
Movie
The Richard Pryor Special?
Writer
1977
TV
Pryor's Place
Creator
1984
Movie
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales
Writer
1969