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
John Candy: I Like Me (2025)
as Self - Actor (archive footage)
The Muppet Movie (1979)
as Balloon Vendor
See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989)
as Wallace 'Wally' Karue
Superman III (1983)
as August 'Gus' Gorman
The Wiz (1978)
as The Wiz
Harlem Nights (1989)
as Sugar Ray
Brewster's Millions (1985)
as Montgomery Brewster
Silver Streak (1976)
as Grover Muldoon
Jerry West: The Logo (2026)
as Self (Archive footage & voice)
Stir Crazy (1980)
as Harry Monroe
Breakdown: 1975 (2025)
as Self (archive footage)
California Suite (1978)
as Dr. Chauncey Gump
The Toy (1982)
as Jack Brown
I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not (2025)
as Self (archive footage)
Adiós Amigo (1975)
as Sam Spade
Another You (1991)
as Eddie Dash
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special (1999)
as (archive footage)
Blue Collar (1978)
as Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
Bustin' Loose (1981)
as Joe Braxton
Moving (1988)
as Arlo Pear
In God We Tru$t (1980)
as G.O.D.
Greased Lightning (1977)
as Wendell Scott
Some Kind of Hero (1982)
as Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal
Wholly Moses (1980)
as Pharaoh
Hit! (1973)
as Mike Willmer
Critical Condition (1987)
as Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic (2013)
as Self (archive footage)
Mad Dog Time (1996)
as Jimmy the Gravedigger
Car Wash (1976)
as Daddy Rich
Richard Pryor: Here and Now (1983)
as Self
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (1979)
as Self
101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment (2003)
as Self (archive footage)
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976)
as Charlie Snow
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip (1982)
as Self
The Mack (1973)
as Slim
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (1986)
as Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego
Uptown Saturday Night (1974)
as Sharp Eye Washington
The Richard Pryor Special? (1977)
as Self / Various
Remembering Gene Wilder (2024)
as Self (archive footage)
I Am Richard Pryor (2019)
as Self - Actor and Comedian (archive footage)
The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up (2022)
as Self (archive footage)
Zeitgeist: Requiem (2024)
as Self (archive footage)
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution (2024)
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s (2007)
as Self (archive footage)
The N Word (2006)
as Self (archive footage)
Lily (1973)
Actor
Lady Sings the Blues (1972)
as Piano Man
Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration (1990)
as Self
Which Way Is Up? (1977)
as Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas
Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin' (1971)
as Self
Wild in the Streets (1968)
as Stanley X
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise (2013)
as Self (archive footage)
The Lion Roars Again (1975)
as Self
Carter's Army (1975)
as Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
The Phynx (1970)
as Richard Pryor
The Busy Body (1967)
as Whittaker
The Young Lawyers (1969)
as Otis Tucker
But... Seriously (1994)
as Self (archive footage)
Richard Pryor: Icon (2014)
as Self (archive footage)
Juke and Opal (1973)
as Juke
Dynamite Chicken (1971)
as Self
The Three Muscatels (1991)
as Narrator / Wino / Bartender
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever (1983)
as Self
Group Therapy (2024)
as Self (archive footage)
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! (2003)
as Self (archive footage)
Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh? (1999)
as Self
TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines (1986)
as Self
Afro Promo (1997)
as Self (archive footage)
A Huey P. Newton Story (2001)
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Making of 'Superman III' (1985)
as Self
Wattstax (1973)
as Self
Some Call It Loving (1973)
as Jeff
A Walking Tour of Sesame Street (1979)
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Untitled Joan Rivers Documentary (—)
as Self (archive footage)
Blacks and Jews (1997)
as Self
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales (1969)
Actor
You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat (1971)
as Wino
Flip Wilson... Of Course (1974)
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