Richard Pryor
Known for: Acting
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
Series
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962
Series
The Mike Douglas Show
Self - Co-Host
1961
Series
Saturday Night Live
Self - Host
1975
Series
The Merv Griffin Show
Self
1962
Series
Chicago Hope
Joe Springer
1994
Series
Dinah!
Self
1974
Series
Martin
Richard Pryor
1992
Series
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self
1948
Series
The Flip Wilson Show
Self
1970
Series
The Partridge Family
A.E. Simon
1970
Series
Kraft Music Hall
Self
1958
Series
The Midnight Special
Self
1972
Film
See No Evil, Hear No Evil
Wallace 'Wally' Karue
1989
Series
Legends
G.O.D. (archive footage) (uncredited)
2006
Series
The Norm Show
1999
Series
Dark Side of Comedy
Self (Archive Footage)
2022
Series
Hollywood Black
Self (archive footage)
2024
Film
Lost Highway
Arnie
1997
Film
John Candy: I Like Me
Self - Actor (archive footage)
2025
Film
Silver Streak
Grover Muldoon
1976
Film
Superman III
August 'Gus' Gorman
1983
Film
The Muppet Movie
Balloon Vendor
1979
Film
Brewster's Millions
Montgomery Brewster
1985
Film
Harlem Nights
Sugar Ray
1989
Film
Car Wash
Daddy Rich
1976
Series
The Comedy Store
Self (archive footage)
2020
Series
The Young Lawyers
1970
Film
Stir Crazy
Harry Monroe
1980
Series
Stand-Up: The Laughing Therapy
Self (archive footage)
2024
Series
The Richard Pryor Show
Host
1977
Film
Another You
Eddie Dash
1991
Film
Remembering Gene Wilder
Self (archive footage)
2024
Film
The Wiz
The Wiz
1978
Film
California Suite
Dr. Chauncey Gump
1978
Film
Jerry West: The Logo
Self (Archive footage & voice)
2026
Film
Critical Condition
Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery
1987
Film
Wild in the Streets
Stanley X
1968
Series
Superstar
Self (archive footage)
2021
I Am
Self
2012
Film
Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?
Self
1999
Film
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special
(archive footage)
1999
Film
Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration
Self
1990
Film
The Toy
Jack Brown
1982
Film
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
2023
Film
Blue Collar
Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
1978
Film
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
Charlie Snow
1976
Film
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic
Self (archive footage)
2013
Film
I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not
Self (archive footage)
2025
Film
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego
1986
Film
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2024
Film
In God We Tru$t
G.O.D.
1980
Film
Breakdown: 1975
Self (archive footage)
2025
Film
Breakdown: 1975
Self (archive photo/footage)
2025
Film
Mad Dog Time
Jimmy the Gravedigger
1996
Film
Moving
Arlo Pear
1988
Film
Uptown Saturday Night
Sharp Eye Washington
1974
Film
Which Way Is Up?
Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas
1977
Film
Richard Pryor: Icon
Self (archive footage)
2014
Film
I Am Richard Pryor
Self - Actor and Comedian (archive footage)
2019
Film
Greased Lightning
Wendell Scott
1977
Film
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
Self (archive footage)
2013
Film
Wholly Moses
Pharaoh
1980
Film
The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up
Self (archive footage)
2022
Film
The Busy Body
Whittaker
1967
Film
Some Kind of Hero
Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal
1982
Film
Lady Sings the Blues
Piano Man
1972
Film
Carter's Army
Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
1975
Film
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
Self
1982
Film
Adiós Amigo
Sam Spade
1975
Film
Some Call It Loving
Jeff
1973
Film
101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment
Self (archive footage)
2003
Series
Pryor's Place
Richard Pryor
1984
Film
Bustin' Loose
Joe Braxton
1981
Film
Lily
1973
Film
The Phynx
Richard Pryor
1970
Film
Richard Pryor: Here and Now
Self
1983
Film
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert
Self
1979
A Party For Richard Pryor
Self
1991
Film
The Mack
Slim
1973
Film
Hit!
Mike Willmer
1973
Film
The Young Lawyers
Otis Tucker
1969
Film
The Richard Pryor Special?
Self / Various
1977
Film
The Making of 'Superman III'
Self
1985
Film
A Walking Tour of Sesame Street
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
1979
Film
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
Self (archive footage)
2003
Film
Dynamite Chicken
Self
1971
Film
Zeitgeist: Requiem
Self (archive footage)
2024
Film
A Century of Cinema
Self
1994
Film
Group Therapy
Self (archive footage)
2024
Film
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
Self
1983
Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s
Self (archive footage)
2007
The Lion Roars Again
Self
1975
Film
You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat
Wino
1971
Film
A Huey P. Newton Story
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2001
Film
The N Word
Self (archive footage)
2006
Film
Juke and Opal
Juke
1973
Film
TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines
Self
1986
But... Seriously
Self (archive footage)
1994
Untitled Joan Rivers Documentary
Self (archive footage)
Film
Wattstax
Self
1973
Film
The Three Muscatels
Narrator / Wino / Bartender
1991
Film
The Last Days of Richard Pryor
Himself
2020
Film
Flip Wilson... Of Course
Self
1974
Film
Blacks and Jews
Self
1997
Film
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales
1969
Film
Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'
Self
1971
Film
Afro Promo
Self (archive footage)
1997
Film
The Richard Pryor show Volume 2
Self
1977
Black and White Trypps Number Four
2008