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