
Richard Pryor
Biography
Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor 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 (73 movies)

Lost Highway
1997

Wattstax
1973

See No Evil, Hear No Evil
1989

Brewster's Millions
1985

Richard Pryor: Here and Now
1983

Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
1982

Silver Streak
1976

Richard Pryor: Live in Concert
1979

Bustin' Loose
1981

Stir Crazy
1980

Lady Sings the Blues
1972

Another You
1991

Which Way Is Up?
1977

Critical Condition
1987

Carter's Army
1975

The Toy
1982

The Wiz
1978

I Am Richard Pryor
2019

Wholly Moses
1980

Harlem Nights
1989

Superman III
1983

California Suite
1978

Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003

Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
2013

Greased Lightning
1977

Moving
1988

The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
1976

Uptown Saturday Night
1974

The Busy Body
1967

The Mack
1973

Wild in the Streets
1968

Blue Collar
1978

Some Kind of Hero
1982

The Phynx
1970

Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
1986

Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'
1971

Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?
1999

Hit!
1973

In God We Tru$t
1980

Some Call It Loving
1973

The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up
2022

Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
2023

Richard Pryor: Icon
2014

The Muppet Movie
1979

Remembering Gene Wilder
2024

Zeitgeist: Requiem
2024

Adiós Amigo
1975

The Richard Pryor Special?
1977

Dynamite Chicken
1971

The Making of 'Superman III'
1985

TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines
1986

You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat
1971

Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales
1969

Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
2024

The Richard Pryor show Volume 2
1977

The Young Lawyers
1969

Afro Promo
1997

Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
1983

Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic
2013

The Richard Pryor Show Volume I
1977

Juke and Opal
1973

The Three Muscatels
1991

The Last Days of Richard Pryor
2020

Lily
1973

Mad Dog Time
1996

Blacks and Jews
1997

Car Wash
1976

The N Word
2006

A Walking Tour of Sesame Street
1979

Flip Wilson... Of Course
1974

Me, Myself & Irene
2000

A Huey P. Newton Story
2001

101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment
2003
Directing (2 movies)
| Title | Year | Job | 
|---|---|---|
| Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales | 1969 | Writer | 
| Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin' | 1971 | Writer | 
| Lily | 1973 | Writer | 
| Blazing Saddles | 1974 | Screenplay | 
| The Richard Pryor Special? | 1977 | Writer | 
| Richard Pryor: Live in Concert | 1979 | Writer | 
| Bustin' Loose | 1981 | Producer | 
| Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip | 1982 | Writer | 
| Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip | 1982 | Producer | 
| Richard Pryor: Here and Now | 1983 | Writer | 
| Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling | 1986 | Screenplay | 
| Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling | 1986 | Producer |