Richard Pryor

Acting

Born December 1, 1940 — Died December 10, 2005 Peoria, Illinois, U.S.

Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor (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.

Movies(82)

Breakdown: 1975

Self (archive footage)

2025

I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not

Self (archive footage)

2025

John Candy: I Like Me

Self - Actor (archive footage)

2025

Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

2024

Group Therapy

Self (archive footage)

2024

Remembering Gene Wilder

Self (archive footage)

2024

Zeitgeist: Requiem

Self (archive footage)

2024

Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight

2023

The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up

Self (archive footage)

2022

The Last Days of Richard Pryor

Himself

2020

I Am Richard Pryor

Self - Actor and Comedian (archive footage)

2019

Richard Pryor: Icon

Self (archive footage)

2014

Mel Brooks: Make a Noise

Self (archive footage)

2013

Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic

Self (archive footage)

2013

Black and White Trypps Number Four

2008

Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s

Self (archive footage)

2007

The N Word

Self (archive footage)

2006

Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!

Self (archive footage)

2003

101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment

Self (archive footage)

2003

A Huey P. Newton Story

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

2001

Me, Myself & Irene

Stand-Up Comedian on TV (archive footage) (uncredited)

2000

Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?

Self

1999

Blacks and Jews

Self

1997

Afro Promo

Self (archive footage)

1997

Lost Highway

Arnie

1997

Mad Dog Time

Jimmy the Gravedigger

1996

But... Seriously

Self (archive footage)

1994

The Three Muscatels

Narrator / Wino / Bartender

1991

Another You

Eddie Dash

1991

Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration

Self

1990

Harlem Nights

Sugar Ray

1989

See No Evil, Hear No Evil

Wallace 'Wally' Karue

1989

Moving

Arlo Pear

1988

Critical Condition

Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery

1987

Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling

Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego

1986

TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines

Self

1986

The Making of 'Superman III'

Self

1985

Brewster's Millions

Montgomery Brewster

1985

Richard Pryor: Here and Now

Self

1983

Superman III

August 'Gus' Gorman

1983

Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever

Self

1983

The Toy

Jack Brown

1982

Some Kind of Hero

Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal

1982

Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip

Self

1982

Bustin' Loose

Joe Braxton

1981

Stir Crazy

Harry Monroe

1980

In God We Tru$t

G.O.D.

1980

Wholly Moses

Pharaoh

1980

The Muppet Movie

Balloon Vendor

1979

A Walking Tour of Sesame Street

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

1979

Richard Pryor: Live in Concert

Self

1979

The Wiz

1978

California Suite

Dr. Chauncey Gump

1978

Blue Collar

Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown

1978

Which Way Is Up?

Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas

1977

The Richard Pryor show Volume 2

Self

1977

Greased Lightning

Wendell Scott

1977

The Richard Pryor Special?

Self / Various

1977

Silver Streak

Grover Muldoon

1976

Car Wash

Daddy Rich

1976

The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings

Charlie Snow

1976

Adiós Amigo

Sam Spade

1975

Carter's Army

Pvt. Jonathan Crunk

1975

The Lion Roars Again

Self

1975

Flip Wilson... Of Course

Self

1974

Uptown Saturday Night

Sharp Eye Washington

1974

Juke and Opal

Juke

1973

Some Call It Loving

Jeff

1973

Lily

1973

Hit!

Mike Willmer

1973

The Mack

Slim

1973

Wattstax

Self

1973

Lady Sings the Blues

Piano Man

1972

You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat

Wino

1971

Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'

Self

1971

Dynamite Chicken

Self

1971

The Phynx

Richard Pryor

1970

The Young Lawyers

Otis Tucker

1969

Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales

1969

Wild in the Streets

Stanley X

1968

The Busy Body

Whittaker

1967

Untitled Joan Rivers Documentary

Self (archive footage)

Richard Pryor

TV Shows(22)

Movies(82)