- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- December 1, 1940
- Place of Birth
- Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
- Died
- December 10, 2005
Richard Pryor
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 …
Filmography
movieBreakdown: 1975
2025 · Self (archive footage)
movieI'm Chevy Chase and You're Not
2025 · Self (archive footage)
movieJohn Candy: I Like Me
2025 · Self - Actor (archive footage)
tvStand-Up: The Laughing Therapy
2024 · Self (archive footage)
tvHollywood Black
2024 · Self (archive footage)
movieOutstanding: A Comedy Revolution
2024 · Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
movieGroup Therapy
2024 · Self (archive footage)
movieRemembering Gene Wilder
2024 · Self (archive footage)
movieZeitgeist: Requiem
2024 · Self (archive footage)
movieBetye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
2023
tvDark Side of Comedy
2022 · Self (Archive Footage)
moviePaws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
2022 · Original Film Writer
movieThe Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up
2022 · Self (archive footage)
tvSuperstar
2021 · Self (archive footage)
tvThe Comedy Store
2020 · Self (archive footage)
movieThe Last Days of Richard Pryor
2020 · Himself
movieI Am Richard Pryor
2019 · Self - Actor and Comedian (archive footage)
movieRichard Pryor: Icon
2014 · Self (archive footage)
movieMel Brooks: Make a Noise
2013 · Self (archive footage)
movieRichard Pryor: Omit the Logic
2013 · Self (archive footage)
I Am
tvI Am
2012 · Self
tvEpic Rap Battles of History
2010 · Characters
Black and White Trypps Number Four
movieBlack and White Trypps Number Four
2008
Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s
movieCutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s
2007 · Self (archive footage)
tvLegends
2006 · G.O.D. (archive footage) (uncredited)
movieThe N Word
2006 · Self (archive footage)
movieRichard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003 · Self (archive footage)
movie101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment
2003 · Self (archive footage)
movieA Huey P. Newton Story
2001 · Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
movieSam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?
1999 · Self
tvThe Norm Show
1999
movieBlacks and Jews
1997 · Self
movieAfro Promo
1997 · Self (archive footage)
movieLost Highway
1997 · Arnie
movieMad Dog Time
1996 · Jimmy the Gravedigger
tvChicago Hope
1994 · Joe Springer
But... Seriously
movieBut... Seriously
1994 · Self (archive footage)
tvMartin
1992 · Richard Pryor
movieThe Three Muscatels
1991 · Narrator / Wino / Bartender
movieAnother You
1991 · Eddie Dash
movieSammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration
1990 · Self
movieHarlem Nights
1989 · Sugar Ray
movieSee No Evil, Hear No Evil
1989 · Wallace 'Wally' Karue
movieMoving
1988 · Arlo Pear
movieCritical Condition
1987 · Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery
movieJo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
1986 · Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego, Screenplay, Director, Producer
movieTV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines
1986 · Self
movieThe Making of 'Superman III'
1985 · Self
movieBrewster's Millions
1985 · Montgomery Brewster
tvPryor's Place
1984 · Richard Pryor, Creator
movieRichard Pryor: Here and Now
1983 · Self, Writer, Director
movieSuperman III
1983 · August 'Gus' Gorman
movieMotown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
1983 · Self
movieThe Toy
1982 · Jack Brown
movieSome Kind of Hero
1982 · Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal
movieRichard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
1982 · Self, Writer, Producer
movieBustin' Loose
1981 · Joe Braxton, Story, Producer
movieStir Crazy
1980 · Harry Monroe
movieIn God We Tru$t
1980 · G.O.D.
movieWholly Moses
1980 · Pharaoh
movieThe Muppet Movie
1979 · Balloon Vendor
movieA Walking Tour of Sesame Street
1979 · Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
movieRichard Pryor: Live in Concert
1979 · Self, Writer
movieThe Wiz
1978 · The Wiz
movieCalifornia Suite
1978 · Dr. Chauncey Gump
movieBlue Collar
1978 · Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
movieWhich Way Is Up?
1977 · Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas
tvThe Richard Pryor Show
1977 · Host, Creator
movieThe Richard Pryor show Volume 2
1977 · Self
movieGreased Lightning
1977 · Wendell Scott
movieThe Richard Pryor Special?
1977 · Self / Various, Writer
movieSilver Streak
1976 · Grover Muldoon
movieCar Wash
1976 · Daddy Rich
movieThe Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
1976 · Charlie Snow
movieAdiós Amigo
1975 · Sam Spade
tvSaturday Night Live
1975 · Self - Host
movieCarter's Army
1975 · Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
The Lion Roars Again
movieThe Lion Roars Again
1975 · Self
tvDinah!
1974 · Self
movieFlip Wilson... Of Course
1974 · Self
movieUptown Saturday Night
1974 · Sharp Eye Washington
movieBlazing Saddles
1974 · Screenplay
movieJuke and Opal
1973 · Juke
movieSome Call It Loving
1973 · Jeff
movieLily
1973 · , Writer
movieHit!
1973 · Mike Willmer
movieThe Mack
1973 · Slim
movieWattstax
1973 · Self
movieLady Sings the Blues
1972 · Piano Man
tvThe Midnight Special
1972 · Self
movieYou've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat
1971 · Wino
movieRichard Pryor: Live and Smokin'
1971 · Self, Writer
movieDynamite Chicken
1971 · Self
tvThe Partridge Family
1970 · A.E. Simon
tvThe Young Lawyers
1970
tvThe Flip Wilson Show
1970 · Self
movieThe Phynx
1970 · Richard Pryor
movieThe Young Lawyers
1969 · Otis Tucker
movieUncle Tom's Fairy Tales
1969 · , Writer
movieWild in the Streets
1968 · Stanley X
movieThe Busy Body
1967 · Whittaker
tvThe Merv Griffin Show
1962 · Self
tvThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962 · Self, Self (archive footage)
tvThe Mike Douglas Show
1961 · Self - Co-Host
tvKraft Music Hall
1958 · Self
tvThe Ed Sullivan Show
1948 · Self
Untitled Joan Rivers Documentary
movieUntitled Joan Rivers Documentary
— · Self (archive footage)