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Richard Pryor
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.…
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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.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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2026
Jerry West: The Logo
Movie Self (Archive footage & voice)
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2025
Breakdown: 1975
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2025
I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2025
John Candy: I Like Me
Movie Self - Actor (archive footage)
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2024
Stand-Up: The Laughing Therapy
TV show Self (archive footage)
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2024
Hollywood Black
TV show Self (archive footage)
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2024
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
Movie Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
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2024
Group Therapy
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2024
Remembering Gene Wilder
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2024
Zeitgeist: Requiem
Movie Self (archive footage)
- 2023
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2022
Dark Side of Comedy
TV show Self (Archive Footage)
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2022
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
Movie Original Film Writer
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2022
The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2021
Superstar
TV show Self (archive footage)
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2020
The Comedy Store
TV show Self (archive footage)
More credits
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2020
The Last Days of Richard Pryor
Movie Himself
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2019
I Am Richard Pryor
Movie Self - Actor and Comedian (archive footage)
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2014
Richard Pryor: Icon
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2013
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2013
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2012
I Am
TV show Self
- 2008
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2007
Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2006
Legends
TV show G.O.D. (archive footage) (uncredited)
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2006
The N Word
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2003
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2003
101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2001
A Huey P. Newton Story
Movie Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
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1999
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special
Movie (archive footage)
-
1999
Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?
Movie Self
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1999
The Norm Show
TV show
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1997
Blacks and Jews
Movie Self
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1997
Afro Promo
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1997
Lost Highway
Movie Arnie
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1996
Mad Dog Time
Movie Jimmy the Gravedigger
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1994
Chicago Hope
TV show Joe Springer
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1994
But... Seriously
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1992
Martin
TV show Richard Pryor
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1991
The Three Muscatels
Movie Narrator / Wino / Bartender
