Richard Pryor
Actor
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.
As Director
Filmography
Me, Myself & Irene
as Stand-Up Comedian on TV (archive footage) (uncredited) 2000
Lost Highway
as Arnie 1997
Superman III
as August 'Gus' Gorman 1983
See No Evil, Hear No Evil
as Wallace 'Wally' Karue 1989
The Muppet Movie
as Balloon Vendor 1979
Brewster's Millions
as Montgomery Brewster 1985
Stir Crazy
as Harry Monroe 1980
Silver Streak
as Grover Muldoon 1976
Harlem Nights
as Sugar Ray 1989
The Wiz
as The Wiz 1978
The Toy
as Jack Brown 1982
Blue Collar
as Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown 1978
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert
as Self 1979
Moving
as Arlo Pear 1988
California Suite
as Dr. Chauncey Gump 1978
Car Wash
as Daddy Rich 1976
Another You
as Eddie Dash 1991