Richard Pryor profile
Actor profile

Richard Pryor

1st December 1940 Peoria, Illinois, U.S. Acting

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.

77 Movies 23 TV Shows 106 Credits
Filmography

Movies & TV Shows

The N Word poster
The N Word 16th January 2006 as Self (archive footage)
Afro Promo poster
Afro Promo 31st January 1997 as Self (archive footage)
Moving poster
Moving 4th March 1988 as Arlo Pear
The Toy poster
The Toy 10th December 1982 as Jack Brown
Which Way Is Up? poster
Which Way Is Up? 4th November 1977 as Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas
Hit! poster
Hit! 18th September 1973 as Mike Willmer
Superstar poster
Superstar 11th August 2021 as Self (archive footage)
Legends poster
Legends 17th November 2006 as G.O.D. (archive footage) (uncredited)
Martin poster
Martin 27th August 1992 as Richard Pryor