Richard Pryor

Born: 1940-12-01

Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor 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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Superman III

as August "Gus" Gorman
Released: 1983-06-17

Aiming to defeat the Man of Steel, wealthy executive Ross Webster hires bumbling but brilliant...

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Lost Highway

as Arnie
Released: 1997-01-15

A tormented jazz musician finds himself lost in an enigmatic story involving murder,...

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See No Evil, Hear No Evil

as Wallace 'Wally' Karue
Released: 1989-05-12

A murder takes place in the shop of David Lyons, a deaf man who fails to hear the gunshot being...

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The Muppet Movie

as Balloon Vendor
Released: 1979-06-22

A Hollywood agent persuades Kermit the Frog to pursue a career in Hollywood. On his way there he...

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Silver Streak

as Grover Muldoon
Released: 1976-12-03

A somewhat daffy book editor on a rail trip from Los Angeles to Chicago thinks that he sees a...

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as Harry Monroe
Released: 1980-12-12

New Yorkers Skip Donahue and Harry Monroe have no jobs and no prospects, so they decide to flee...

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The Wiz

as The Wiz
Released: 1978-10-24

Dorothy Gale, a shy kindergarten teacher, is swept away to the magic land of Oz where she...

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And the Oscar Goes To...

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2014-02-01

The story of the gold-plated statuette that became the film industry's most coveted prize, AND...

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Harlem Nights

as Sugar Ray
Released: 1989-11-17

'Sugar' Ray is the owner of an illegal casino and must contend with the pressure of vicious...

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The Toy

as Jack Brown
Released: 1982-12-10

On one of his bratty son Eric's annual visits, the plutocrat U.S. Bates takes him to his...

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Brewster's Millions

as Montgomery Brewster
Released: 1985-05-22

Brewster, an aging minor-league baseball player, stands to inherit 300 million dollars if he can...

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Another You

as Eddie Dash
Released: 1991-07-26

George has been in a mental hospital for 3 years and is finally ready to go out into the real...

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California Suite

as Dr. Chauncey Gump
Released: 1978-12-15

The misadventures of four groups of guests at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

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Car Wash

as Daddy Rich
Released: 1976-10-22

This day-in-the-life cult comedy focuses on a group of friends working at Sully Boyar's Car Wash...

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Blue Collar

as Zeke Brown
Released: 1978-02-10

Fed up with mistreatment at the hands of both management and union brass, and coupled with...

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Wholly Moses

as Pharaoh
Released: 1980-06-13

Harvey and Zoey, two tourists in Israel, discover an ancient scroll about Herschel, the man who...

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Moving

as Arlo Pear
Released: 1988-03-04

Arlo accepts what seems to him to be a dream promotion to Idaho. He soon discovers, however,...

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Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2013-04-23

Mike Epps, Richard Pryor Jr. and others recount the culture-defining influence of Richard Pryor...

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Uptown Saturday Night

as Sharp Eye Washington
Released: 1974-07-26

Two blue-collar buddies search the underworld for a winning lottery ticket lost in a nightclub...

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Bustin' Loose

as Joe Braxton
Released: 1981-05-22

After ex-con Joe Braxton violates his probation, he is given a second chance. All he has to do...

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Some Kind of Hero

as Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal
Released: 1982-04-02

A Vietnam vet returns home from a prisoner of war camp and is greeted as a hero, but is quickly...

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Richard Pryor: Live in Concert

as Self
Released: 1979-01-26

Richard Pryor delivers monologues on race, sex, family and his favorite target—himself, live at...

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Critical Condition

as Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery
Released: 1987-01-16

Eddie is a con artist. When he's framed and comes before a judge, he hopes to get off the hook...

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Carter's Army

as Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
Released: 1970-01-27

A racist officer is put in charge of an all-black squad of troops charged with the mission of...

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Greased Lightning

as Wendell Scott
Released: 1977-07-01

The true life story of Wendell Scott, the first black stock car racing driver to win an...

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Mad Dog Time

as Jimmy the Gravedigger
Released: 1996-11-08

With his boss in the madhouse, a mobster is temporary boss of the criminal empire just as...

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The Mack

as Slim
Released: 1973-04-04

Goldie returns from five years at the state pen and winds up king of the pimping game. Trouble...

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Lady Sings the Blues

as Piano Man
Released: 1972-10-12

Chronicles the rise and fall of legendary blues singer Billie Holiday. Her late childhood, stint...

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The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings

as Charlie Snow
Released: 1976-07-16

In the world of 1930s Negro League baseball, a spirited team of renegade players travels around...

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The Busy Body

as Whittaker
Released: 1967-03-12

Sid Caesar is a bumbling gopher to a mob boss who must recover a fortune in cash stowed in the...

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The Phynx

as Richard Pryor
Released: 1970-03-06

A rock band is invented by the government as a cover to find hostages in a remote castle in...

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Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling

as Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego
Released: 1986-05-02

Although Jo Jo Dancer has achieved success as a stand-up comedian, he hasn't found happiness....

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Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip

as Self
Released: 1982-03-12

Richard Pryor's stand-up act includes his frank discussion about his freebasing addiction, as...

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Wild in the Streets

as Stanley X
Released: 1968-05-29

Musician Max Frost lends his backing to a Senate candidate who wants to give 18-year-olds the...

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Which Way Is Up?

as Leroy Jones/Rufus Jones/Rev. Lenox Thomas
Released: 1977-11-04

Orange picker Leroy Jones inadvertently becomes a union leader and is forced out of town,...

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Remembering Gene Wilder

as Self (Archival Footage)
Released: 2024-03-15

This loving tribute to Gene Wilder celebrates his life and legacy as the comic genius behind an...

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Hit!

as Mike Willmer
Released: 1973-09-18

A federal agent whose daughter dies of a heroin overdose is determined to destroy the drug ring...

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Richard Pryor: Here and Now

as Self
Released: 1983-10-28

One of comedian Richard Pryor's later stand-up performances. As foul-mouthed as ever, Pryor...

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Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever

as Self - Host
Released: 1983-05-16

Television special taped before a live studio audience at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in...

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I Am Richard Pryor

as Self - Actor and Comedian (archive footage)
Released: 2019-03-12

The life story of Richard Pryor (1940-2005), the legendary performer and iconic social satirist...

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Mel Brooks: Make a Noise

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2013-05-20

Mel Brooks: Make a Noise journeys through Brooks’ early years in the creative beginnings of live...

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TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines

as Self
Released: 1986-04-16

A compilation film of stand up performances and comedy routines featuring some of the biggest...

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In God We Tru$t

as G.O.D.
Released: 1980-09-26

A naive monk, named Brother Ambrose, is sent by the abbot on a mission to raise $5,000 in order...

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

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2003-01-01

This documentary praises comedian Richard Pryor by showing fragments of various shows Pryor made...

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The N Word

as Himself (archive footage)
Released: 2006-01-16

The film explores the history of the word throughout its inception to present day. Woven into...

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The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2022-05-19

In this comedy special, Jon Stewart, John Mulaney, Chelsea Handler and Dave Chappelle honor...

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Live at Mister Kelly's

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2021-09-17

The iconic Mister Kelly’s bedazzled the country by launching superstars like Barbra Streisand,...

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The Complete Richard Pryor Roast

as uncredited
Released: 1977-01-01

Unaired roast of Richard Pryor by the cast of The Richard Pryor Show including Robin Williams...

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Adiós Amigo

as Sam Spade
Released: 1975-12-25

Two incompetent Western outlaws engineer several failed crimes, including a botched stagecoach...

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Richard Pryor: Icon

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2014-11-23

Richard Pryor's impact on the craft of comedy and today's top comics is legendary and unrivaled....

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The Three Muscatels

as Narrator / Wino / Bartender
Released: 1991-11-01

Donna Bon Viant (Belaine) is a college student, who has to complete an assignment on the 14th...

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Blacks and Jews

as Self
Released: 1997-07-29

This documentary attempts to go beyond the sensationalized media coverage and the stereotypes to...

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Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?

as Himself
Released: 1999-04-01

For fans of comedy, Sam Kinison needs no introduction. His scathing comedy tackled tough topics...

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The Young Lawyers

as Otis Tucker
Released: 1969-10-28

Attorney Michael Cannon leaves his Boston law firm to become director of the Neighborhood Law...

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Some Call It Loving

as Jeff
Released: 1973-11-16

A jazz musician falls in love with a comatose woman at a carny sideshow and takes her to his...

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The Making of 'Superman III'

as Self
Released: 1985-08-26

This documentary treats movie fans to a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Superman III, a...

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Wattstax

as Self
Released: 1973-02-04

A documentary film about the Afro-American Woodstock concert held in Los Angeles seven years...

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Dynamite Chicken

as Self
Released: 1971-01-20

A collection of subversive comedy sketches and routines relating to the peace movement.

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Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales

as uncredited
Released: 1969-01-01

A white man goes on trial for having raped a black woman.

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Lily

as uncredited
Released: 1973-11-02

TV special starring Lily Tomlin

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A Walking Tour of Sesame Street

as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Released: 1979-03-01

Sesame Street celebrated its 10th anniversary in the spring of 1979 with a half-hour PBS special...

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

as Wino
Released: 1971-09-19

This oddball counterculture comedy/drama follows Zalman King through a series of kooky...

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Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'

as Self
Released: 1971-04-29

Richard Pryor: Live & Smokin' is the first stand-up act of Richard Pryor to be filmed out of...

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Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight

as uncredited
Released: 2023-11-11

"Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight" covers renowned American artist Betye Saar’s large-scale...

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The Last Days of Richard Pryor

as Himself
Released: 2020-01-16

A two-hour television special on the life of Richard Pryor featuring interviews by those close...

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Juke and Opal

as Juke
Released: 1973-12-01

“WINTER, 1973. Late afternoon: the entr'acte between dusk and darkness, when the people who...

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The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

as Self
First aired: 1962-10-01

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight...

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The Mike Douglas Show

as Self - Co-Host
First aired: 1961-12-11

The Mike Douglas Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that...

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The Merv Griffin Show

as Self
First aired: 1962-10-01

The Merv Griffin Show is an American television talk show, starring Merv Griffin. The series ran...

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Kraft Music Hall

as Self
First aired: 1958-10-08

Kraft Music Hall is an umbrella title for several television series aired by NBC in the United...

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The Ed Sullivan Show

as Self
First aired: 1948-06-20

The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June...

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The Midnight Special

as Host
First aired: 1972-08-19

The Midnight Special is an American late-night musical variety series that aired on NBC during...

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The Flip Wilson Show

as Self
First aired: 1970-09-17

The Flip Wilson Show is an hour long variety show that aired in the U.S. on NBC from September...

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Chicago Hope

as uncredited
First aired: 1994-09-18

Chicago Hope is an American medical drama television series, created by David E. Kelley. It ran...

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Martin

as uncredited
First aired: 1992-08-27

Sassy sitcom centering on radio and television personality Martin Payne. Series focuses on his...

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Legends

as G.O.D. (archive footage) (uncredited)
First aired: 2006-11-17

The story of the big names that have shaped the musical genres, plus an occasional stopgap for...

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The Young Lawyers

as uncredited
First aired: 1970-09-21

The Young Lawyers is an American legal drama that was aired on the ABC network as part of its...

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Dark Side of Comedy

as Self (Archive Footage)
First aired: 2022-08-16

Throughout the history of comedy, many comedians have lost themselves to the art’s darker side,...

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The Richard Pryor Show

as Host
First aired: 1977-09-13

The Richard Pryor Show is an American comedy variety series starring Richard Pryor. It premiered...

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Superstar

as Self (archive footage)
First aired: 2021-08-11

The mavericks who shaped American culture.

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The Comedy Store

as Self (archive footage)
First aired: 2020-10-04

This documentary series brings to life the legends, heartbreak and history created at iconic...

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Pryor's Place

as Richard Pryor
First aired: 1984-09-22

Pryor's Place is an American children's television series that aired on CBS. The live-action...

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