Richard Pryor
Born December 01, 1940 (Age: 85)
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Peoria, Illinois, USA
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.
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.
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Filmography
Breakdown: 1975
2025
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as Self (archive footage)
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Age: 85
Remembering Gene Wilder
2024
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as Self (archive footage)
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Age: 83
101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment
2003
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as Self (archive footage)
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Age: 62
Me, Myself & Irene
2000
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as Stand-Up Comedian on TV (archive footage) (uncredited)
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Age: 59
Lost Highway
1997
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as Arnie
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Age: 56
Mad Dog Time
1996
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as Jimmy the Gravedigger
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Age: 55
Another You
1991
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as Eddie Dash
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Age: 50
Harlem Nights
1989
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as Sugar Ray
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Age: 48
See No Evil, Hear No Evil
1989
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as Wallace 'Wally' Karue
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Age: 48
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
1986
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as Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego
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Age: 45
TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines
1986
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as Self
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Age: 45
Brewster's Millions
1985
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as Montgomery Brewster
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Age: 44
Superman III
1983
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as August 'Gus' Gorman
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Age: 42
The Toy
1982
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as Jack Brown
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Age: 42
Some Kind of Hero
1982
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as Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal
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Age: 41
Bustin' Loose
1981
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as Joe Braxton
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Age: 40
Stir Crazy
1980
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as Harry Monroe
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Age: 40
Wholly Moses
1980
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as Pharaoh
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Age: 39
The Muppet Movie
1979
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as Balloon Vendor
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Age: 38
The Wiz
1978
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as The Wiz
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Age: 37
California Suite
1978
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as Dr. Chauncey Gump
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Age: 37
Blue Collar
1978
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as Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
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Age: 37
Silver Streak
1976
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as Grover Muldoon
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Age: 36
Flip Wilson... Of Course
1974
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as Self
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Age: 33
Uptown Saturday Night
1974
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as Sharp Eye Washington
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Age: 33
Hit!
1973
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as Mike Willmer
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Age: 32
Lady Sings the Blues
1972
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as Piano Man
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Age: 31
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales
1969
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as
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Age: 28