Richard Pryor



First NameRichard
Last NamePryor
Full Name at BirthRichard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor III
Other NamesRichie
Dickie
Age65 (age at death)
Date of BirthDecember 6, 1940
BirthplacePeoria, Illinois, USA
Date of DeathDecember 10, 2005
Location of DeathEncino, Los Angeles, California, USA
Cause of DeathHeart attack
Height5' 10" (178 cm)
BuildSlim
Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorBlack
Star SignSagittarius
EthnicityBlack
NationalityAmerican
Occupation CategoryComic
Claim to FameBustin Loose
FatherBuck Carter (LeRoy Pryor) (was a bartender, boxer and WWII Veteran, who died in 1968 when Richard was 28)
MotherGertude (died when Pryor was 27 years old)

Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor (December 1, 1940 – December 10, 2005) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, social critic, writer and MC. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful, vulgar and profane language, 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 his era: Jerry Seinfeld called Pryor "The Picasso of our profession"; Bob Newhart has called Pryor "the seminal comedian of the last 50 years.". This legacy can be attributed, in part, to the unusual degree of intimacy Pryor brought to bear on his comedy. As Bill Cosby reportedly once said, "Richard Pryor drew the line between comedy and tragedy as thin as one could possibly paint it."


Lucy Rank
#6,712
to be the LucyWho "Star of the Day"


Filmography

Selected Richard Pryor film and TV show credits:


Acting Credits

1999
Mr. Johnson

1997
Arnie

1996
Jimmy the Grave Digger

1996
Uncle Buck

1994
Joe Springer

1991
Eddie Dash

1991
Narrator/Wino/Bartender

1989
Sugar Ray

1989
Wallace 'Wally' Karue

1988
Arlo Pear

1987
Eddie Lenahan, Dr. Kevin Slattery

1986
Jo Jo Dancer/Alter Ego

1985
Montgomery Brewster

1983
Gus Gorman

1982
Cpl. Eddie Keller/Ted Segal

1982
Jack Brown

1981
Joe Braxton

1980
Harry Monroe

1980
Pharaoh

1979
Balloon Vendor

1978
Zeke Brown

1978
Dr. Chauncey Gump

1978
The Wiz

1977
Wendell Scott

1977
Leroy Jones, Rufus Jones, Reverend Lenox Thomas

1976
Sam Spade

1976
Daddy Rich

1976
Grover

1976
Charlie Snow/Carlos Nevada/Chief Takahoma, All-Star

1974
Sharp Eye Washington

1973
Mike Willmer

1973
Some Call It Loving
Jeff

1973
Slim

1972
Piano Man

1970
Carter's Army
Pvt. Jonathan Crunk

1970
A.E. Simon

1969
The Young Lawyers
-

1968
Stanley X

1968
Cat Griffin

1968
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales
-

1967
Whittaker

1966
ABC Stage 67
Undertaker

1965
Villar

Producer Credits

2004
Pryor Offenses
-

1993
Mo' Funny: Black Comedy in America
-

1981
-

Writer Credits

2004
Pryor Offenses
-

1999
The Mark Twain Prize: Richard Pryor
-

1983
On Location: The Comedy Store's 11th Anniversary Show
-

1981
-

1977
The Richard Pryor Special?
-

1973
Lily
-

1971
Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'
-

1970
The Flip Wilson Show
-






Navigation Boxes
Hosts of the Academy Awards ceremonies
Richard Pryor
Hosts of the Academy Awards ceremonies
Richard Pryor
Mark Twain Prize winners
Richard Pryor
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor
L.A. Jail (1976)
Richard Pryor
Stax/Volt Records
Richard Pryor
Wattstax (1973)
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series (1950–1975)
Richard Pryor