Richard Pryor
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- December 1, 1940
- Died
- December 10, 2005
- Birthplace
- Peoria, Illinois, USA
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.
Filmography
- Untitled Joan Rivers Documentary
Untitled Joan Rivers Documentary TBA
as Self (archive footage)
Jerry West: The Logo 2026
as Self (Archive footage & voice)
Breakdown: 1975 2025
as (archive footage)
I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not 2025
as Self (archive footage)
John Candy: I Like Me 2025
as Self - Actor (archive footage)
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution 2024
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Group Therapy 2024
as Self (archive footage)
Zeitgeist: Requiem 2024
as Self (archive footage)
Remembering Gene Wilder 2024
as Self (archive footage)
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight 2023
Actor
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank 2022
Original Film Writer
The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up 2022
as Self (archive footage)
The Last Days of Richard Pryor 2020
as Himself
I Am Richard Pryor 2019
as Self - Actor and Comedian (archive footage)
Richard Pryor: Icon 2014
as Self (archive footage)
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise 2013
as Self (archive footage)
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic 2013
as Self (archive footage)
- Black and White Trypps Number Four
Black and White Trypps Number Four 2008
Actor
- Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s
Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s 2007
as Self (archive footage)
The N Word 2006
as Self (archive footage)
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! 2003
as Self (archive footage)
101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment 2003
as Self (archive footage)
A Huey P. Newton Story 2001
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special 1999
as (archive footage)
Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh? 1999
as Self
Blacks and Jews 1997
as Self
Afro Promo 1997
as Self (archive footage)
Lost Highway 1997
as Arnie
Mad Dog Time 1996
as Jimmy the Gravedigger
- But... Seriously
But... Seriously 1994
as Self (archive footage)
A Century of Cinema 1994
as Self
- A Party For Richard Pryor
A Party For Richard Pryor 1991
as Self
The Three Muscatels 1991
as Narrator / Wino / Bartender
Another You 1991
as Eddie Dash
Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration 1990
as Self
Harlem Nights 1989
as Sugar Ray
See No Evil, Hear No Evil 1989
as Wallace 'Wally' Karue
Moving 1988
as Arlo Pear
Critical Condition 1987
as Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling 1986
as Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego, Screenplay, Director, Producer
TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines 1986
as Self
The Making of 'Superman III' 1985
as Self
Brewster's Millions 1985
as Montgomery Brewster
Richard Pryor: Here and Now 1983
as Self, Director, Writer
Superman III 1983
as August 'Gus' Gorman
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever 1983
as Self
The Toy 1982
as Jack Brown
Some Kind of Hero 1982
as Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip 1982
as Self, Producer, Writer
Bustin' Loose 1981
as Joe Braxton, Story, Producer
Stir Crazy 1980
as Harry Monroe
In God We Tru$t 1980
as G.O.D.
Wholly Moses 1980
as Pharaoh
The Muppet Movie 1979
as Balloon Vendor
A Walking Tour of Sesame Street 1979
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert 1979
as Self, Writer
The Wiz 1978
as The Wiz
California Suite 1978
as Dr. Chauncey Gump
Blue Collar 1978
as Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
Which Way Is Up? 1977
as Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas
The Richard Pryor show Volume 2 1977
as Self
Greased Lightning 1977
as Wendell Scott
The Richard Pryor Special? 1977
as Self / Various, Writer
Silver Streak 1976
as Grover Muldoon
Car Wash 1976
as Daddy Rich
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings 1976
as Charlie Snow
Adiós Amigo 1975
as Sam Spade
Carter's Army 1975
as Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
- The Lion Roars Again
The Lion Roars Again 1975
as Self
Flip Wilson... Of Course 1974
as Self
Uptown Saturday Night 1974
as Sharp Eye Washington
Blazing Saddles 1974
Screenplay
Juke and Opal 1973
as Juke
Some Call It Loving 1973
as Jeff
Lily 1973
Actor, Writer
Hit! 1973
as Mike Willmer
The Mack 1973
as Slim
Wattstax 1973
as Self
Lady Sings the Blues 1972
as Piano Man
You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat 1971
as Wino
Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin' 1971
as Self, Writer
Dynamite Chicken 1971
as Self
The Phynx 1970
as Richard Pryor
The Young Lawyers 1969
as Otis Tucker
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales 1969
Actor, Writer
Wild in the Streets 1968
as Stanley X
The Busy Body 1967
as Whittaker
Credits from TMDB.