Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor (December 1, 1940 – December 10, 2005) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, social critic writer and MC. Pryor portrayed The Wizard in the film version of The Wiz.

Biography[]

Early Life[]

Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor grew up in a challenging environment. His mother, Gertrude, worked as a call girl, and his father, LeRoy, was a boxer and bartender. Pryor experienced a difficult childhood, marked by poverty and adversity. He left school at an early age and joined the military briefly before pursuing a career in stand-up comedy.

Career[]

Richard Pryor began his comedy career in New York City during the early 1960s. Initially, his style was influenced by Bill Cosby's clean and family-friendly humor. As he honed his craft, Pryor found his own voice, transitioning to a more raw, honest, and socially conscious form of comedy. He drew inspiration from his own life experiences, including his troubled upbringing, drug addiction, and personal relationships.

Pryor's groundbreaking comedy albums, such as "That N****r's Crazy" (1974) and "Bicentennial N****r" (1976), addressed issues of race, social inequality, and the African American experience in America. He was known for his fearless approach to tackling taboo subjects, using humor to shed light on uncomfortable truths. In 1978 Pryor would portray the role of The Wizard in the film adaptation of The Wiz. That same year Pryor would release "The Wizard Of Comedy" comedy album

Richard Pryor transitioned to the world of film and enjoyed considerable success as both an actor and writer. He appeared in a wide range of movies, including "Silver Streak" (1976), "Stir Crazy" (1980), and "The Toy" (1982), often collaborating with Gene Wilder in memorable comedic partnerships. Pryor's film career solidified his status as a comedic icon and helped him reach a broader audience.

Personal Struggles[]

Throughout his life, Pryor battled personal demons, including drug addiction and marital issues. He famously suffered severe burns in 1980 when freebasing cocaine, an incident that left a lasting impact on his health. Despite these challenges, Pryor's comedy continued to evolve, and he addressed his struggles openly in his work.

Legacy[]

Richard Pryor's impact on comedy is immeasurable. He is often credited with revolutionizing the stand-up comedy genre by introducing a confessional and socially aware style that influenced generations of comedians. He received numerous accolades during his career, including Grammy Awards and Emmy Awards, and was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 1998. Pryor's influence extends beyond comedy, as his fearless approach to addressing racial and social issues in his humor contributed to important conversations about race and inequality in America.

Richard Pryor passed away on December 10, 2005, but his comedic legacy and his ability to use humor to confront the complexities of the human experience continue to resonate with audiences and comedians alike. His contributions to comedy and social commentary have left an indelible mark on American entertainment and culture.

Gallery[]

Filmography[]

Film[]

1967 The Busy Body
1968 Wild in the Streets
1969 Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales
1970 Carter's Army
1970 The Phynx
1971 You've Got to Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat
1971 Live & Smokin'
1971 Dynamite Chicken
1972 Lady Sings the Blues
1973 The Mack
1973 Some Call It Loving
1973 Hit!
1973 Wattstax
1974 Blazing Saddles
1974 Uptown Saturday Night
1975 Adiós Amigo
1976 The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
1976 Car Wash
1976 Silver Streak
1977 Greased Lightning
1977 Which Way Is Up?
1978 Blue Collar
1978 The Wiz
1978 California Suite
1979 Richard Pryor: Live in Concert
1979 The Muppet Movie
1980 Wholly Moses!
1980 In God We Tru$t
1980 Stir Crazy
1981 Bustin' Loose
1982 Some Kind of Hero
1982 Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
1982 The Toy
1983 Superman III
1983 Richard Pryor: Here and Now
1985 Brewster's Millions
1986 Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
1987 Critical Condition
1988 Moving
1989 See No Evil, Hear No Evil
1989 Harlem Nights
1991 Another You
1991 The Three Muscatels
1996 Mad Dog Time
1997 Lost Highway

Television[]

1966 The Wild Wild West
1967 ABC Stage 67
1968 Let's Go
1969 The Young Lawyers
1971 The Partridge Family
1972 Mod Squad
1975 Saturday Night Live
1975–1978 Sesame Street
1977 The Richard Pryor Special?
1977 The Richard Pryor Show
1984 Pryor's Place
1984 Billy Joel: Keeping the Faith
1993 Martin
1995 Chicago Hope Joe Springer
1996 Malcolm & Eddie Uncle Bucky
1999 The Norm Show

Discography[]

Albums[]

1968 Richard Pryor Dove/Reprise Records Reissued 2021 by Omnivore Recordings, 2023 Stand Up! Records
1971 Craps (After Hours) Laff Records Reissued 1993 by Loose Cannon/Island. Reissued 2021 by Omnivore Recordings, 2023 Stand Up! Records
1974 That N****r's Crazy Partee/Stax Reissued 1975 by Reprise Records
1975 ...Is It Something I Said? Reprise Records Reissued 1991 on CD by Warner Bros. Records
1976 Are You Serious ??? Laff Records
1976 Rev. Du Rite Laff Records
1976 Holy Smoke! Laff Records
1976 Bicentennial N****r Warner Bros. Records Reissued 1989 on CD by Warner Bros. Records
1976 Insane Laff Records
1976 L.A. Jail Tiger Lily Records
1977 Who Me? I'm Not Him Laff Records
1977 Richard Pryor Live World Sound Records
1978 The Wizard of Comedy Laff Records
1978 Black Ben The Blacksmith Laff Records
1978 Wanted: Live in Concert Warner Bros. Records Double-LP set
1979 Outrageous Laff Records
1982 Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip Warner Bros. Records
1982 Supern****r Laff Records
1983 Richard Pryor: Here and Now Warner Bros. Records
1983 Richard Pryor Live! Phoenix/Audiofidelity Picture disc
1983 Blackjack Laff Records Re-release of Craps (After Hours) with different cover art[122]
2021 Live At The Comedy Store, 1973 Omnivore Recordings Reissued 2023 Stand Up! Records. Originally a promotional extra for 2013 box set No Pryor Restraint: Life in Concert (Shout! Factory)