Biography
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. P…
Movies & TV Shows
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Lost Highway (1997) — Arnie
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Superman III (1983) — August 'Gus' Gorman
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See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) — Wallace 'Wally' Karue
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The Muppet Movie (1979) — Balloon Vendor
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Brewster's Millions (1985) — Montgomery Brewster
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Saturday Night Live (1975) — Self - Host
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Stir Crazy (1980) — Harry Monroe
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Silver Streak (1976) — Grover Muldoon
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Harlem Nights (1989) — Sugar Ray
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The Wiz (1978) — The Wiz
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The Toy (1982) — Jack Brown
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Blue Collar (1978) — Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
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Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (1979) — Self
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Martin (1992) — Richard Pryor
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Moving (1988) — Arlo Pear
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Car Wash (1976) — Daddy Rich
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California Suite (1978) — Dr. Chauncey Gump
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John Candy: I Like Me (2025) — Self - Actor (archive footage)
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Another You (1991) — Eddie Dash
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Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip (1982) — Self
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The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) — Self
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Critical Condition (1987) — Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery
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Chicago Hope (1994) — Joe Springer
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Lady Sings the Blues (1972) — Piano Man
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The Mack (1973) — Slim
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Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic (2013) — Self (archive footage)
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Bustin' Loose (1981) — Joe Braxton
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Richard Pryor: Here and Now (1983) — Self
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Mad Dog Time (1996) — Jimmy the Gravedigger
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Greased Lightning (1977) — Wendell Scott
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Some Kind of Hero (1982) — Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal
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Uptown Saturday Night (1974) — Sharp Eye Washington
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Wholly Moses (1980) — Pharaoh
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Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (1986) — Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego
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Which Way Is Up? (1977) — Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas
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In God We Tru$t (1980) — G.O.D.
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Wild in the Streets (1968) — Stanley X
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The Partridge Family (1970) — A.E. Simon
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Breakdown: 1975 (2025) — Self (archive footage)
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The Norm Show (1999)