Richard Pryor
Known for: Acting
Born: December 1, 1940
Died: December 10, 2005
Place of birth: Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
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.
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Filmography
85 movies · 23 TV shows, newest first
5.5
Jerry West: The Logo
2026
6.8
Breakdown: 1975
2025
6.5
I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not
2025
7.8
John Candy: I Like Me
2025
NR
Stand-Up: The Laughing Therapy
2024
3.0
Hollywood Black
2024
6.2
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
2024
7.8
Group Therapy
2024
7.3
Remembering Gene Wilder
2024
NR
Zeitgeist: Requiem
2024
NR
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
2023
8.2
Dark Side of Comedy
2022
6.6
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
2022
5.9
The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up
2022
5.7
Superstar
2021
7.6
The Comedy Store
2020
8.0
The Last Days of Richard Pryor
2020
6.9
I Am Richard Pryor
2019
6.5
Richard Pryor: Icon
2014
8.1
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
2013
7.1
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic
2013NR
I Am
20125.8
Black and White Trypps Number Four
2008NR
Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s
2007
5.0
Legends
2006
7.2
The N Word
2006
7.8
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003
5.0
101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment
2003
5.4
A Huey P. Newton Story
2001
6.9
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special
1999
6.8
Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?
1999
7.2
The Norm Show
1999
8.0
Blacks and Jews
1997
8.0
Afro Promo
1997
7.5
Lost Highway
1997
5.2
Mad Dog Time
1996
7.2
Chicago Hope
19948.5
But... Seriously
1994
7.5
Martin
1992
9.0
The Three Muscatels
1991
5.4
Another You
1991
8.7
Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration
1990
6.1
Harlem Nights
1989
6.8
See No Evil, Hear No Evil
1989
5.5
Moving
1988
5.5
Critical Condition
1987
6.5
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
1986
NR
TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines
1986
6.8
The Making of 'Superman III'
1985
6.6
Brewster's Millions
1985
7.0
Pryor's Place
1984
6.7
Richard Pryor: Here and Now
1983
5.5
Superman III
1983
8.7
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
1983
5.9
The Toy
1982
5.6
Some Kind of Hero
1982
7.4
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
1982
6.2
Bustin' Loose
1981
6.5
Stir Crazy
1980
6.1
In God We Tru$t
1980
4.7
Wholly Moses
1980
7.2
The Muppet Movie
1979
NR
A Walking Tour of Sesame Street
1979
7.4
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert
1979
6.2
The Wiz
1978
5.9
California Suite
1978
7.3
Blue Collar
1978
5.8
Which Way Is Up?
1977
6.4
The Richard Pryor Show
1977
NR
The Richard Pryor show Volume 2
1977
6.4
Greased Lightning
1977
7.2
The Richard Pryor Special?
1977
6.7
Silver Streak
1976
6.0
Car Wash
1976
6.1
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
1976
4.6
Adiós Amigo
1975
6.9
Saturday Night Live
1975
4.5
Carter's Army
19756.5
The Lion Roars Again
1975
7.0
Dinah!
1974
NR
Flip Wilson... Of Course
1974
6.2
Uptown Saturday Night
1974
7.2
Blazing Saddles
1974
NR
Juke and Opal
1973
5.0
Some Call It Loving
1973
NR
Lily
1973
5.8
Hit!
1973
6.4
The Mack
1973
6.7
Wattstax
1973
6.9
Lady Sings the Blues
1972
8.1
The Midnight Special
1972
8.7
You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat
1971
6.6
Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'
1971
5.5
Dynamite Chicken
1971
6.8
The Partridge Family
1970
7.0
The Young Lawyers
1970
4.8
The Flip Wilson Show
1970
3.6
The Phynx
1970
10.0
The Young Lawyers
1969
7.0
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales
1969
5.8
Wild in the Streets
1968
7.2
The Busy Body
1967
6.8
The Merv Griffin Show
1962
7.5
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
5.8
The Mike Douglas Show
1961
5.4
Kraft Music Hall
1958
6.8
The Ed Sullivan Show
1948NR
Untitled Joan Rivers Documentary
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