Highest rated as cast or director
Biography
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.
Acted in 50
2020s
- 2025
- 2023
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
Movie
1990s
- 1999
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special
(archive footage)
- 1997
- 1996
- 1994
- 1992
- 1991
1980s
- 1989
- 1988
- 1987
- 1986
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego
- 1985
- 1984
Pryor's Place
Richard Pryor · 13 episodes
- 1983
- 1982
The Toy
Jack Brown
Some Kind of Hero
Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal
- 1981
Bustin' Loose
Joe Braxton
- 1980
In God We Tru$t
G.O.D.
1970s
- 1979
- 1978
California Suite
Dr. Chauncey Gump
Blue Collar
Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
- 1977
Which Way Is Up?
Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas
Greased Lightning
Wendell Scott
- 1976
Car Wash
Daddy Rich
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
Charlie Snow
- 1975
Carter's Army
Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
- 1974
Uptown Saturday Night
Sharp Eye Washington
- 1973
Juke and Opal
Juke
Hit!
Mike Willmer
The Mack
Slim
- 1972
Lady Sings the Blues
Piano Man
- 1971
You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat
Wino
- 1970
The Young Lawyers
TV
The Phynx
Richard Pryor
1960s
- 1969
The Young Lawyers
Otis Tucker
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales
Movie
- 1968
- 1967
The Busy Body
Whittaker
Wrote 11
1980s
- 1986
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
Screenplay
- 1983
Richard Pryor: Here and Now
Writer
- 1982
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
Writer
- 1981
Bustin' Loose
Story
1970s
- 1979
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert
Writer
- 1977
The Richard Pryor Special?
Writer
- 1974
- 1973
- 1971
Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'
Writer
1960s
- 1969
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales
Writer
Produced 3
1980s
- 1986
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
Producer
- 1982
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
Producer
- 1981
Bustin' Loose
Producer
Directed 2
1980s
- 1986
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
Director
- 1983
Richard Pryor: Here and Now
Director
Created 2
1980s
- 1984
Pryor's Place
Creator
1970s
- 1977
The Richard Pryor Show
Creator
Appearances51
2020s
- 2026
- 2025
- 2024
Zeitgeist: Requiem
Self (archive footage)
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
The Comedy Store
Self (archive footage) · 5 episodes
The Last Days of Richard Pryor
Himself
2010s
- 2019
- 2014
Richard Pryor: Icon
Self (archive footage)
- 2013
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
Self (archive footage)
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic
Self (archive footage)
2000s
- 2006
The N Word
Self (archive footage)
- 2003
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
Self (archive footage)
101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment
Self (archive footage)
- 2001
A Huey P. Newton Story
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
1990s
- 1999
- 1997
Blacks and Jews
Self
Afro Promo
Self (archive footage)
- 1994
A Century of Cinema
Self
- 1991
The Three Muscatels
Narrator / Wino / Bartender
- 1990
Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration
Self
1980s
- 1986
- 1985
The Making of 'Superman III'
Self
- 1983
Richard Pryor: Here and Now
Self
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
Self
- 1982
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
Self
1970s
- 1979
A Walking Tour of Sesame Street
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert
Self
- 1977
The Richard Pryor Show
Host · 5 episodes
The Richard Pryor show Volume 2
Self
The Richard Pryor Special?
Self / Various
- 1975
- 1974
Flip Wilson... Of Course
Self
- 1973
Wattstax
Self
- 1972
- 1971
Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'
Self
Dynamite Chicken
Self
- 1970
1960s
- 1962
- 1961
1950s
- 1958
1940s
- 1948
