Richard Pryor
Acting
1940-12-01 · 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.
Filmography
Jerry West: The Logo
2026 · Movie
Breakdown: 1975
2025 · Movie
I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not
2025 · Movie
John Candy: I Like Me
2025 · Movie
Stand-Up: The Laughing Therapy
2024 · Series
Hollywood Black
2024 · Series
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
2024 · Movie
Group Therapy
2024 · Movie
Remembering Gene Wilder
2024 · Movie
Zeitgeist: Requiem
2024 · Movie
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
2023 · Movie
Dark Side of Comedy
2022 · Series
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
2022 · Movie
The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up
2022 · Movie
Superstar
2021 · Series
The Comedy Store
2020 · Series
The Last Days of Richard Pryor
2020 · Movie
I Am Richard Pryor
2019 · Movie
Richard Pryor: Icon
2014 · Movie
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
2013 · Movie
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic
2013 · Movie
I Am
2012 · Series
Epic Rap Battles of History
2010 · Series
Black and White Trypps Number Four
2008 · Movie
Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s
2007 · Movie
Legends
2006 · Series
The N Word
2006 · Movie
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003 · Movie
101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment
2003 · Movie
A Huey P. Newton Story
2001 · Movie
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special
1999 · Movie
Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?
1999 · Movie
The Norm Show
1999 · Series
Blacks and Jews
1997 · Movie
Afro Promo
1997 · Movie
Lost Highway
1997 · Movie
Mad Dog Time
1996 · Movie
Chicago Hope
1994 · Series
But... Seriously
1994 · Movie
Martin
1992 · Series
The Three Muscatels
1991 · Movie
Another You
1991 · Movie
Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration
1990 · Movie
Harlem Nights
1989 · Movie
See No Evil, Hear No Evil
1989 · Movie
Moving
1988 · Movie
Critical Condition
1987 · Movie
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
1986 · Movie
TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines
1986 · Movie
The Making of 'Superman III'
1985 · Movie
Brewster's Millions
1985 · Movie
Pryor's Place
1984 · Series
Richard Pryor: Here and Now
1983 · Movie
Superman III
1983 · Movie
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
1983 · Movie
The Toy
1982 · Movie
Some Kind of Hero
1982 · Movie
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
1982 · Movie
Bustin' Loose
1981 · Movie
Stir Crazy
1980 · Movie
In God We Tru$t
1980 · Movie
Wholly Moses
1980 · Movie
The Muppet Movie
1979 · Movie
A Walking Tour of Sesame Street
1979 · Movie
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert
1979 · Movie
The Wiz
1978 · Movie
California Suite
1978 · Movie
Blue Collar
1978 · Movie
Which Way Is Up?
1977 · Movie
The Richard Pryor Show
1977 · Series
The Richard Pryor show Volume 2
1977 · Movie
Greased Lightning
1977 · Movie
The Richard Pryor Special?
1977 · Movie
Silver Streak
1976 · Movie
Car Wash
1976 · Movie
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
1976 · Movie
Adiós Amigo
1975 · Movie
Saturday Night Live
1975 · Series
Carter's Army
1975 · Movie
The Lion Roars Again
1975 · Movie
Dinah!
1974 · Series
Flip Wilson... Of Course
1974 · Movie
Uptown Saturday Night
1974 · Movie
Blazing Saddles
1974 · Movie
Juke and Opal
1973 · Movie
Some Call It Loving
1973 · Movie
Lily
1973 · Movie
Hit!
1973 · Movie
The Mack
1973 · Movie
Wattstax
1973 · Movie
Lady Sings the Blues
1972 · Movie
The Midnight Special
1972 · Series
You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat
1971 · Movie
Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'
1971 · Movie
Dynamite Chicken
1971 · Movie
The Partridge Family
1970 · Series
The Young Lawyers
1970 · Series
The Flip Wilson Show
1970 · Series
The Phynx
1970 · Movie
The Young Lawyers
1969 · Movie
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales
1969 · Movie
Wild in the Streets
1968 · Movie
The Busy Body
1967 · Movie
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962 · Series
The Merv Griffin Show
1962 · Series
The Mike Douglas Show
1961 · Series
Kraft Music Hall
1958 · Series
The Ed Sullivan Show
1948 · Series
Untitled Joan Rivers Documentary
Movie