Acting · Peoria, Illinois, U.S. · Born December 1, 1940
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.
MovieBreakdown: 1975
2025
as Self (archive footage)
MovieI'm Chevy Chase and You're Not
2025
as Self (archive footage)
MovieJohn Candy: I Like Me
2025
as Self - Actor (archive footage)
TVStand-Up: The Laughing Therapy
2024
as Self (archive footage)
TVHollywood Black
2024
as Self (archive footage)
MovieOutstanding: A Comedy Revolution
2024
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieGroup Therapy
2024
as Self (archive footage)
MovieRemembering Gene Wilder
2024
as Self (archive footage)
MovieZeitgeist: Requiem
2024
as Self (archive footage)
MovieBetye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
2023
TVDark Side of Comedy
2022
as Self (Archive Footage)
MovieThe Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up
2022
as Self (archive footage)
TVSuperstar
2021
as Self (archive footage)
TVThe Comedy Store
2020
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Last Days of Richard Pryor
2020
as Himself
MovieI Am Richard Pryor
2019
as Self - Actor and Comedian (archive footage)
MovieRichard Pryor: Icon
2014
as Self (archive footage)
MovieMel Brooks: Make a Noise
2013
as Self (archive footage)
MovieRichard Pryor: Omit the Logic
2013
as Self (archive footage)
I Am
2012
as Self
Black and White Trypps Number Four
2008
Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s
2007
as Self (archive footage)
TVLegends
2006
as G.O.D. (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieThe N Word
2006
as Self (archive footage)
MovieRichard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003
as Self (archive footage)
Movie101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment
2003
as Self (archive footage)
MovieA Huey P. Newton Story
2001
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieSam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?
1999
as Self
TVThe Norm Show
1999
MovieBlacks and Jews
1997
as Self
MovieAfro Promo
1997
as Self (archive footage)
MovieLost Highway
1997
as Arnie
MovieMad Dog Time
1996
as Jimmy the Gravedigger
TVChicago Hope
1994
as Joe Springer
But... Seriously
1994
as Self (archive footage)
TVMartin
1992
as Richard Pryor
MovieThe Three Muscatels
1991
as Narrator / Wino / Bartender
MovieAnother You
1991
as Eddie Dash
MovieSammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration
1990
as Self
MovieHarlem Nights
1989
as Sugar Ray
MovieSee No Evil, Hear No Evil
1989
as Wallace 'Wally' Karue
MovieMoving
1988
as Arlo Pear
MovieCritical Condition
1987
as Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery
MovieJo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
1986
as Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego
MovieTV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines
1986
as Self
MovieThe Making of 'Superman III'
1985
as Self
MovieBrewster's Millions
1985
as Montgomery Brewster
TVPryor's Place
1984
as Richard Pryor
MovieRichard Pryor: Here and Now
1983
as Self
MovieSuperman III
1983
as August 'Gus' Gorman
MovieMotown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
1983
as Self
MovieThe Toy
1982
as Jack Brown
MovieSome Kind of Hero
1982
as Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal
MovieRichard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
1982
as Self
MovieBustin' Loose
1981
as Joe Braxton
MovieStir Crazy
1980
as Harry Monroe
MovieIn God We Tru$t
1980
as G.O.D.
MovieWholly Moses
1980
as Pharaoh
MovieThe Muppet Movie
1979
as Balloon Vendor
MovieA Walking Tour of Sesame Street
1979
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieRichard Pryor: Live in Concert
1979
as Self
MovieThe Wiz
1978
as The Wiz
MovieCalifornia Suite
1978
as Dr. Chauncey Gump
MovieBlue Collar
1978
as Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
MovieWhich Way Is Up?
1977
as Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas
TVThe Richard Pryor Show
1977
as Host
MovieThe Richard Pryor show Volume 2
1977
as Self
MovieGreased Lightning
1977
as Wendell Scott
MovieThe Richard Pryor Special?
1977
as Self / Various
MovieSilver Streak
1976
as Grover Muldoon
MovieCar Wash
1976
as Daddy Rich
MovieThe Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
1976
as Charlie Snow
MovieAdiós Amigo
1975
as Sam Spade
TVSaturday Night Live
1975
as Self - Host
MovieCarter's Army
1975
as Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
The Lion Roars Again
1975
as Self
TVDinah!
1974
as Self
MovieFlip Wilson... Of Course
1974
as Self
MovieUptown Saturday Night
1974
as Sharp Eye Washington
MovieJuke and Opal
1973
as Juke
MovieSome Call It Loving
1973
as Jeff
MovieLily
1973
MovieHit!
1973
as Mike Willmer
MovieThe Mack
1973
as Slim
MovieWattstax
1973
as Self
MovieLady Sings the Blues
1972
as Piano Man
TVThe Midnight Special
1972
as Self
MovieYou've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat
1971
as Wino
MovieRichard Pryor: Live and Smokin'
1971
as Self
MovieDynamite Chicken
1971
as Self
TVThe Partridge Family
1970
as A.E. Simon
TVThe Young Lawyers
1970
TVThe Flip Wilson Show
1970
as Self
MovieThe Phynx
1970
as Richard Pryor
MovieThe Young Lawyers
1969
as Otis Tucker
MovieUncle Tom's Fairy Tales
1969
MovieWild in the Streets
1968
as Stanley X
MovieThe Busy Body
1967
as Whittaker
TVThe Merv Griffin Show
1962
as Self
TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
TVThe Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self - Co-Host
TVKraft Music Hall
1958
as Self
TVThe Ed Sullivan Show
1948
as Self
Untitled Joan Rivers Documentary
as Self (archive footage)
