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 |