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Richard Pryor

Acting Born Dec 1, 1940 Peoria, Illinois, U.S. 24 credits

Biography

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.

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Known for

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

as Self

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

as Self (archive footage)

Saturday Night Live

as Self - Host

The Mike Douglas Show

as Self - Co-Host

Chicago Hope

as Joe Springer

The Merv Griffin Show

as Self
Film

Lost Highway

as Arnie

Full filmography

  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self (archive footage)
  • Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Host
  • The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
  • Chicago Hope (1994) as Joe Springer
  • The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
  • Martin (1992) as Richard Pryor
  • The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
  • Dinah! (1974) as Self
  • The Partridge Family (1970) as A.E. Simon
  • Kraft Music Hall (1958) as Self
  • The Midnight Special (1972) as Self
  • The Flip Wilson Show (1970) as Self
  • Legends (2006) as G.O.D. (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • I Am (2012) as Self
  • The Norm Show (1999)
  • Lost Highway (1997) as Arnie
  • Hollywood Black (2024) as Self (archive footage)
  • Superman III (1983) as August 'Gus' Gorman
  • Dark Side of Comedy (2022) as Self (Archive Footage)
  • The Wiz (1978) as The Wiz
  • The Muppet Movie (1979) as Balloon Vendor
  • Harlem Nights (1989) as Sugar Ray
  • Brewster's Millions (1985) as Montgomery Brewster