Richard Pryor
Acting
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
Acting103
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)
tvDark Side of Comedy
2022
Self (Archive Footage)
movieThe Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up
2022
Self (archive footage)
tvSuperstar
2021
Self (archive footage)
tvThe Comedy Store
2020
Self (archive footage)
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
2012
Self
Cutting 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, #*%$#@!!
2003
Self (archive footage)
movie101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment
2003
Self (archive footage)
movieA Huey P. Newton Story
2001
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
movieAfro Promo
1997
Self (archive footage)
movieMad Dog Time
1996
Jimmy the Gravedigger
tvChicago Hope
1994
Joe Springer
But... Seriously
1994
Self (archive footage)
tvMartin
1992
Richard Pryor
movieThe Three Muscatels
1991
Narrator / Wino / Bartender
movieAnother You
1991
Eddie Dash
movieHarlem Nights
1989
Sugar Ray
movieSee No Evil, Hear No Evil
1989
Wallace 'Wally' Karue
movieMoving
1988
Arlo Pear
movieCritical Condition
1987
Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery
movieJo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
1986
Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego
movieBrewster's Millions
1985
Montgomery Brewster
tvPryor's Place
1984
Richard Pryor
movieSuperman III
1983
August 'Gus' Gorman
movieThe Toy
1982
Jack Brown
movieSome Kind of Hero
1982
Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal
movieBustin' Loose
1981
Joe Braxton
movieStir Crazy
1980
Harry Monroe
movieIn God We Tru$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)
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
movieGreased Lightning
1977
Wendell Scott
movieThe Richard Pryor Special?
1977
Self / Various
movieSilver Streak
1976
Grover Muldoon
movieCar Wash
1976
Daddy Rich
movieAdiós Amigo
1975
Sam Spade
tvSaturday Night Live
1975
Self - Host
movieCarter's Army
1975
Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
tvDinah!
1974
Self
movieUptown Saturday Night
1974
Sharp Eye Washington
movieHit!
1973
Mike Willmer
movieWattstax
1973
Self / Self (archive footage)
movieLady Sings the Blues
1972
Piano Man
tvThe Partridge Family
1970
A.E. Simon
movieThe Phynx
1970
Richard Pryor
movieThe Young Lawyers
1969
Otis Tucker
movieWild in the Streets
1968
Stanley X
movieThe Busy Body
1967
Whittaker
tvThe Mike Douglas Show
1961
Self - Co-Host
Untitled Joan Rivers Documentary
Self (archive footage)
Writing12
moviePaws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
2022
Original Film Writer
tvEpic Rap Battles of History
2010
Characters
movieBlazing Saddles
1974
Screenplay
movieLily
1973
Writer
Production3
Creator2
tvPryor's Place
1984
Creator
tvThe Richard Pryor Show
1977
Creator