Richard Pryor
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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.
Known for
Credits
Lost Highway (1997)
as Arnie
Superman III (1983)
as August 'Gus' Gorman
The Muppet Movie (1979)
as Balloon Vendor
Brewster's Millions (1985)
as Montgomery Brewster
The Wiz (1978)
as The Wiz
Harlem Nights (1989)
as Sugar Ray
John Candy: I Like Me (2025)
as Self - Actor (archive footage)
See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989)
as Wallace 'Wally' Karue
Stir Crazy (1980)
as Harry Monroe
Breakdown: 1975 (2025)
as Self (archive footage)
Moving (1988)
as Arlo Pear
Car Wash (1976)
as Daddy Rich
Which Way Is Up? (1977)
as Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas
Silver Streak (1976)
as Grover Muldoon
Blue Collar (1978)
as Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
Another You (1991)
as Eddie Dash
I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not (2025)
as Self (archive footage)
The Toy (1982)
as Jack Brown
Mad Dog Time (1996)
as Jimmy the Gravedigger
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution (2024)
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
California Suite (1978)
as Dr. Chauncey Gump
Critical Condition (1987)
as Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery
The Mack (1973)
as Slim
Uptown Saturday Night (1974)
as Sharp Eye Washington
Bustin' Loose (1981)
as Joe Braxton
Adiós Amigo (1975)
as Sam Spade
Remembering Gene Wilder (2024)
as Self (archive footage)
Some Kind of Hero (1982)
as Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976)
as Charlie Snow
The N Word (2006)
as Self (archive footage)
Greased Lightning (1977)
as Wendell Scott
The Phynx (1970)
as Richard Pryor
Carter's Army (1975)
as Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
Afro Promo (1997)
as Self (archive footage)
The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up (2022)
as Self (archive footage)
Group Therapy (2024)
as Self (archive footage)
The Making of 'Superman III' (1985)
as Self
Richard Pryor: Icon (2014)
as Self (archive footage)
Wholly Moses (1980)
as Pharaoh
Hit! (1973)
as Mike Willmer
Richard Pryor: Here and Now (1983)
as Self
The Busy Body (1967)
as Whittaker
I Am Richard Pryor (2019)
as Self - Actor and Comedian (archive footage)
Wattstax (1973)
as Self
101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment (2003)
as Self (archive footage)
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (1986)
as Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego
But... Seriously (1994)
as Self (archive footage)
Lily (1973)
Actor
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (1979)
as Self
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip (1982)
as Self
The Young Lawyers (1969)
as Otis Tucker
A Huey P. Newton Story (2001)
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever (1983)
as Self
Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s (2007)
as Self (archive footage)
Lady Sings the Blues (1972)
as Piano Man
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic (2013)
as Self (archive footage)
Wild in the Streets (1968)
as Stanley X
Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh? (1999)
as Self
Zeitgeist: Requiem (2024)
as Self (archive footage)
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! (2003)
as Self (archive footage)
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise (2013)
as Self (archive footage)
Blacks and Jews (1997)
as Self
Juke and Opal (1973)
as Juke
The Lion Roars Again (1975)
as Self
A Walking Tour of Sesame Street (1979)
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
In God We Tru$t (1980)
as G.O.D.
Dynamite Chicken (1971)
as Self
TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines (1986)
as Self
Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration (1990)
as Self
Flip Wilson... Of Course (1974)
as Self
Untitled Joan Rivers Documentary (—)
as Self (archive footage)
The Richard Pryor Special? (1977)
as Self / Various
You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat (1971)
as Wino
The Three Muscatels (1991)
as Narrator / Wino / Bartender
Some Call It Loving (1973)
as Jeff
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales (1969)
Actor
Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin' (1971)
as Self
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight (2023)
Actor
The Last Days of Richard Pryor (2020)
as Himself
Black and White Trypps Number Four (2008)
Actor
The Richard Pryor show Volume 2 (1977)
as Self