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Richard Pryor is one of the funniest black comedians of all time. Watch him. Now
{{for|American broadcaster and humorist|Cactus Pryor}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox comedian
| name = Richard Pryor
| image = Richard Pryor (1986) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Pryor in February 1986
| birth_name = Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor
| birth_date = {{birth date|1940|12|1}}
| birth_place = ], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2005|12|10|1940|12|1}}
| death_place = ], ], U.S.
| death_cause = ]
| nationality = American
| medium = Stand-up, film, television
| active = 1963–2005
| genre = ], ], ], ], ]
| subject = Racism, ], ], ], ], religion, ], everyday life, ]
| influences = ],<ref>{{cite web |author=] |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/story/pryor.-i-owe-it-all-to-lenny-bruce |title=Pryor: I Owe It All to Lenny Bruce |publisher=] |date=May 21, 2004 |accessdate=August 23, 2009}}</ref> ], ], ], ], ]
| influenced = ],<ref name="bravo">{{cite episode |title=George Carlin |episodelink=Inside the Actors Studio |series=Inside the Actors Studio |serieslink=Inside the Actors Studio |network=] |airdate=2004-10-31 |season=1 |number=4}}</ref>], ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20110142,00.html |title=Court Jester |work=] |author=Allis, Tim |date=April 12, 1993 |accessdate=August 23, 2009}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite book |title=Why You Crying?: My Long, Hard Look at Life, Love, and Laughter |last1=Lopez |first1=George |last2=Keteyian |first2=Armen |authorlink2=Armen Keteyian |publisher=] |year=2004 |isbn=0-7432-5994-7 |authorlink=George Lopez}}</ref> ], ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.margaretcho.com/content/2003/12/04/richard-pryor/ |title=Richard Pryor |author=Margaret Cho |accessdate=December 4, 2003 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111133719/http://www.margaretcho.com/content/2003/12/04/richard-pryor/ |archivedate=January 11, 2012 |df=mdy }}</ref> ], ],<ref>{{cite episode |title=Dave Chappelle |episodelink=Inside the Actors Studio |series=Inside the Actors Studio |serieslink=Inside the Actors Studio |network=] |airdate=2006-02-12 |season=12 |number=10}}</ref> ],<ref name="king">Reid aheem (December 12, 2005). . ]. Retrieved January 11, 2010.</ref> ],<ref name="dead">'']'', 2003, ]</ref> ],<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050205143646/http://www.fadetoblack.com/interviews/billhicks/9.html |date=February 5, 2005 }}</ref> ],<ref name="dead" /> ]<ref>{{cite web |last=Gillette |first=Amelie |url=http://www.avclub.com/content/node/49217 |title=Lewis Black |publisher=The A.V. Club |date=June 7, 2006 |accessdate=June 17, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231060859/http://www.avclub.com/content/node/49217 |archivedate=December 31, 2008 |df=mdy }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.popentertainment.com/quinn.htm |title=Colin Quinn |publisher=Popentertainment.com |accessdate=June 17, 2010}}</ref> ],<ref name="king" /> ], ], ],<ref name="allmovie.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.allmovie.com/artist/Chris-Tucker-114685 |title=Chris Tucker&nbsp;– Movie and Film Biography and Filmography&nbsp;– AllRovi.com |work=AllMovie}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hbo.com/onenightstand/interviews/louis_ck.html |title=Interview with Louis C.K. |work=] |publisher=] |year=2005 |accessdate=December 6, 2007}}</ref> ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aspecialthing.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1465 |title=aspecialthing.com :: View topic&nbsp;– THE AST INTERVIEW: PATTON OSWALT |publisher=Web.archive.org |accessdate=September 24, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013165258/http://aspecialthing.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1465 |archivedate=October 13, 2007}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20239025_3,00.html |title=Artie Lange: 'F--- It, I'll Write a Book' |work=] |author=Kirschling, Gregory |date=November 7, 2008 |accessdate=November 11, 2008}}</ref> ],<ref name=moment>{{cite web |url=http://www.momentmag.com/Exclusive/2008/12/JonStewart.html |title=Meet Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz (aka) Jon Stewart: The wildly zeitgeisty Daily Show host |last1=Gillick |first1=Jeremy |last2=Gorilovskaya |first2=Nonna |date=November–December 2008 |work=] |accessdate=August 10, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531094324/http://www.momentmag.com/Exclusive/2008/12/JonStewart.html |archivedate=May 31, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ],<ref>Interview with Bill Zehme, ''Richard Lewis: Concerts from Hell: The Vintage Years'', ], Released September 13, 2005</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hbo.com/onenightstand/interviews/jim_norton.html |title=Interview with Jim Norton |work=]|publisher=] |year=2005 |accessdate=August 23, 2009}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/entry/view/id/312053l |title=John Oliver Reveals His 5 Comedic Influences |work=] |accessdate=April 16, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231061000/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/entry/view/id/312053l |archivedate=December 31, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ], ]
| notable_work = '''Himself''' in '']'' and '']''<br /> '''Daddy Rich''' in '']''<br /> '''Wally Karue''' in '']''<br /> '''Harry Monroe''' in '']''<br /> ''']''' in '']''<br /> '''Monty Brewster''' in '']''
| spouse = {{Plainlist|
*{{Marriage|Patricia Price|1960|1961|end=div}}
*{{Marriage|Shelley R. Bonus |1968|1969|end=div}}
*{{Marriage|]|1977|1978|end=div}}
*{{Marriage|Jennifer Lee|1981|1982|end=div}}
*{{Marriage|Flynn Belaine|1986|1987|end=div}}
*{{Marriage|Flynn Belaine|1990|1991|end=div}}
*{{Marriage|Jennifer Lee|2001<!--Omission per Template:Marriage instructions-->}}
}}
| children = 7
| website =
}}

'''Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor''' (December 1, 1940&nbsp;– December 10, 2005) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and social critic. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful vulgarities and profanity, as well as ]. 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: ] called Pryor "The ] of our profession"<ref>{{cite news|author=Morton, Bruce |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/21/morton.thosewelost/index.html |title=Those We Lost|work=]|accessdate=January 11, 2010|date=December 21, 2005}}</ref> and ] heralded Pryor as "the seminal comedian of the last 50 years".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/newhart_b.html |work=PBS American Masters |title= Bob Newhart}}</ref> ] said of Pryor, "You know those, like, evolution charts of man? He was the dude walking upright. Richard was the highest evolution of comedy."<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite episode| title = Dave Chappelle| episodelink = Inside the Actors Studio| series = Inside the Actors Studio| serieslink = Inside the Actors Studio| network = ]| airdate = 2006-02-12| season = 12| number = 10}}</ref> This legacy can be attributed, in part, to the unusual degree of intimacy Pryor brought to bear on his comedy. As ] reportedly once said, "Richard Pryor drew the line between comedy and tragedy as thin as one could possibly paint it."<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Benson |first=Tambay |title=Richard Pryor Retrospective at BAMcinématek, Brooklyn (10 Days, 20 Films, All in 35&nbsp;mm) |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/richard-pryor-retrospective-at-bamcinematek-brooklyn-10-days-20-films-all-in-35mm |work=Indiewire |accessdate=December 26, 2012}}</ref> ] said in an interview, “He was the most purely funny dude I have ever seen perform.”<ref>{{cite web |last=Weiner |first=Jonah |title=Death of a stand-up |url= http://www.vondecarlo.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Patrice-ONeal-Rolling-Stone-compressed.pdf |work= Rolling Stone |accessdate= November 12, 2017}}</ref>

Pryor's body of work includes the concert movies and recordings: '']'' (1971), '']'' (1974), '']'' (1975), '']'' (1976), '']'' (1979), '']'' (1982), and '']'' (1983). As an actor, he starred mainly in comedies such as '']'' (1976), but occasionally in dramas, such as ]'s '']'' (1978), or action films, such as '']'' (1983). He collaborated on many projects with actor ]. Another frequent collaborator was actor/comedian/writer ].

Pryor won an ] (1973) and five ]s (1974, 1975, 1976, 1981, and 1982). In 1974, he also won two American Academy of Humor awards and the ]. The first-ever ] ] was presented to him in 1998. He was listed at number one on ]'s list of all-time greatest stand-up comedians.<ref name=cc>{{cite web|url=http://archive.voxmagazine.com/stories/2004/09/30/why-chappelle-is-the-man/ |title=Why Chappelle is the man |work=] |date=September 30, 2004 |access-date=September 1, 2016 |quote=Pryor was voted No. 1 in Comedy Central's ''100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time'' in April.}}</ref> In 2017, '']'' ranked him first on its list of the 50 best stand-up comics of all time.<ref name = "RS">. Rollingstone.com, retrieved February 15, 2017.</ref>

== Early life ==
Born on December 1, 1940 in ], Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor grew up in his grandmother's ], where his mother Gertrude L. (née Thomas) was a prostitute.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/richard_the_great_FmHiNQqrDQ08jcRI576TUI |title=Richard the Great |work=] |accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref>
His father, LeRoy "Buck Carter" Pryor (June 7, 1915&nbsp;– September 27, 1968), was a former boxer and ].<ref name="official">{{cite web|url=http://richardpryor.com/biography.php|website=RichardPryor.com|title= Richard Pryor's official biography}}</ref> After his alcoholic mother abandoned him when he was 10, Pryor was raised primarily by his grandmother Marie Carter,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.richardpryor.com/0/4113/0/1240D1271/ |title=Richard Pryor website |publisher=Richardpryor.com |accessdate=June 17, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523025200/http://www.richardpryor.com/0/4113/0/1240D1271 |archivedate=May 23, 2010 |df=mdy }}</ref> a tall, violent woman who would beat him for any of his eccentricities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nndb.com/people/342/000022276/ |title=Richard Pryor |publisher=Nndb.com |accessdate=June 17, 2010}}</ref> Pryor was one of four children raised in his grandmother's brothel and was sexually abused at age seven.<ref>{{cite news|author=Jones, Steve|url= https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-12-10-richard-pryor-obit_x.htm |title=Comedian Richard Pryor dies at 65|work=]|date= December 10, 2005}}</ref> He was expelled from school at the age of 14.<ref name="New Yorker">{{cite news|author=] |date=September 13, 1999|title=A Pryor Love|work=]}}</ref>

His first professional performance was playing drums at a night club. Pryor served in the ] from 1958 to 1960, but spent virtually the entire stint in an army prison. According to a 1999 profile about Pryor in '']'', Pryor was incarcerated for an incident that occurred while stationed in Germany. Angered that a white soldier was overly amused at the racially charged sections of ]'s movie '']'' (1959), Pryor and some other black soldiers beat and stabbed him, though not fatally.<ref name="New Yorker"/>

== Career ==

=== Early career (1963–1968) ===
] appearances, 1968–1969]]
In 1963, Pryor moved to New York City and began performing regularly in clubs alongside performers such as ] and ]. On one of his first nights, he opened for singer and pianist ] at New York's ]. Simone recalls Pryor's bout of ]:

{{quote|He shook like he had ], he was so nervous. I couldn't bear to watch him shiver, so I put my arms around him there in the dark and rocked him like a baby until he calmed down. The next night was the same, and the next, and I rocked him each time.<ref>{{cite book|authors=] & Cleary, Stephen |date=1991|title=]|publisher=] |location=New York City|pages=70–71|isbn=978-0-679-41068-3}}</ref>}}

Inspired by Bill Cosby, Pryor began as a ] comic, with material far less controversial than what was to come. Soon, he began appearing regularly on television ], such as '']'', '']'', and '']''. His popularity led to success as a comic in ]. The first five tracks on the 2005 compilation CD '']'', recorded in 1966 and 1967, capture Pryor in this period.

In September 1967, Pryor had what he described in his autobiography '']'' (1995) as an "]". He walked onto the stage at the ] in Las Vegas (with ] in the audience), looked at the sold-out crowd, exclaimed over the microphone, "What the fuck am I doing here!?", and walked off the stage. Afterward, Pryor began working profanity into his act, including the word "]". His first comedy recording, the eponymous 1968 debut release on the ] label, captures this particular period, tracking the evolution of Pryor's routine. Around this time, his parents died—his mother in 1967 and his father in 1968.<ref> Retrieved August 25, 2015</ref>

=== Mainstream success ===

==== 1969–1983 ====
In 1969, Pryor moved to ], where he immersed himself in the ] and rubbed elbows with the likes of ] and ]. He signed with the comedy-oriented independent record label ] in 1970, and in 1971 recorded his second album, ''Craps (After Hours)''. Two years later, the relatively unknown comedian appeared in the documentary '']'' (1972), wherein he riffed on the tragic-comic absurdities of ] in ] and the nation. Not long afterward, Pryor sought a deal with a larger label, and he signed with ] in 1973.

When his third, breakthrough album, '']'' (1974), was released, Laff, which claimed ownership of Pryor's recording rights, almost succeeded in getting an injunction to prevent the album from being sold. Negotiations led to Pryor's release from his Laff contract. In return for this concession, Laff was enabled to release previously unissued material, recorded between 1968 and 1973, at will. ''That Nigger's Crazy'' was a commercial and critical success; it was eventually certified gold by the ]<ref></ref> and won the ] at the ].

During the legal battle, Stax briefly closed its doors. At this time, Pryor returned to ]/], which re-released ''That Nigger's Crazy'', immediately after '']'', his first album with his new label. Like ''That Nigger's Crazy'', the album was a hit with both critics and fans; it was eventually certified platinum by the RIAA and won the Grammy Award for Best Comedic Recording at the 1976 Grammy Awards.

Pryor's release '']'' (1976) continued his streak of success. It became his third consecutive gold album, and he collected his third consecutive Grammy for Best Comedic Recording for the album in 1977. With every successful album Pryor recorded for Warner (or later, his concert films and his 1980 ] accident), Laff quickly published an album of older material to capitalize on Pryor's growing fame—a practice they continued until 1983. The covers of Laff albums tied in thematically with Pryor movies, such as ''Are You Serious?'' for '']'' (1976), ''The Wizard of Comedy'' for his appearance in '']'' (1978), and ''Insane'' for '']'' (1980).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://biography.yourdictionary.com/richard-pryor |title=Richard Pryor Fast Facts |last= |first= |date= |website=Yourdictionary |access-date=July 30, 2016}}</ref>
] specials. He is seen here with Tomlin and ] in Tomlin's 1973 special.]]

In the 1970s, Pryor wrote for such television shows as '']'', '']'', and a 1973 ] special, for which he shared an ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/richard-pryor |title=Richard Pryor Emmy Winner |work=Television Academy}}</ref> During this period, Pryor tried to break into mainstream television. He was a guest host on the ] of '']'' and the first black person to host the show. Pryor took longtime girlfriend, actress-talk show host Kathrine McKee (sister of ]), with him to New York, and she made a brief guest appearance with Pryor on ''SNL''. He participated in the "word association" skit<ref>{{cite web |url=http://snltranscripts.jt.org/75/75ginterview.phtml |title=SNL Transcripts: Richard Pryor: 12/13/75: Racist Word Association Interview |publisher=Snltranscripts.jt.org |accessdate=June 17, 2010}}</ref> with ].

In 1974, Pryor was arrested for ] and served 10 days in jail.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmZm2HBMtTQ&feature=youtu.be&t=1m4s|title=Richard Pryor clips}}</ref>

'']'' premiered on ] in 1977, but was cancelled after only four episodes probably because television audiences did not respond well to his show's controversial subject matter, and Pryor was unwilling to alter his material for network censors. During the short-lived series, ] President of the United States, spoofed the '']'' ], took on gun violence, and in another skit, used costumes and visual distortion to appear nude.<ref>{{cite book|author=Silverman, David S. |date=2007|title=You Can't Air That: Four Cases of Controversy and Censorship in American Television Programming|location= Syracuse, NY|publisher=Syracuse University Press}}</ref>

In 1979, at the height of his success, Pryor visited Africa. Upon returning to the United States, Pryor swore he would never use the word "]" in his stand-up comedy routine again.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/15/opinion/the-nwordand-richard-pryor.html</ref><ref>{{YouTube|JZCS5I80X-8|The word 'Nigger'&nbsp;– Richard Pryor & George Carlin}}</ref> However, his favorite epithet, "]", remains a term of endearment on his official website.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}

In the 1970s and 1980s, Pryor appeared in several popular films, including '']'' (1972), '']'' (1973), '']'' (1974), '']'' (1976), '']'' (1976), '']'' (1976), '']'' (1977), '']'' (1977), '']'' (1978), '']'' (1979), '']'' (1980), and '']'' (1981). Next, Pryor co-starred with ] in '']'' (1982).

Pryor co-wrote '']'' (1974), directed by ] and starring ]. Pryor was to play the lead role of Bart, but the film's production studio would not insure him, and Mel Brooks chose ], instead. Before his horribly damaging 1980 freebasing incident, Pryor was about to start filming Mel Brooks' '']'' (1981), but was replaced at the last minute by ]. Pryor was also originally considered for the role of Billy Ray Valentine on '']'' (1983), before ] won the part.

==== 1980–1990 ====
]
In 1983, Pryor signed a five-year contract with ] for US$40&nbsp;million and he started his own production company, ].<ref>{{cite news |agency=] |title=Richard Pryor Ouster of Blacks Criticized |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/12/17/movies/richard-pryor-ouster-of-blacks-criticized.html |quote=Mr. Pryor announced in May that he had signed a five-year, $40&nbsp;million production deal with Columbia Pictures and promised to open up opportunities for minorities at his Indigo Productions. … |newspaper=] |date= December 17, 1983 |accessdate=2015-09-18 }}</ref><ref name="BBCobit">{{cite news|author=] |date=December 10, 2005| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4517714.stm |title=Comedian Richard Pryor Dead at 65&nbsp;– Groundbreaking Black U.S. Comedian Richard Pryor Has Died after Almost 20 Years with Multiple Sclerosis|work= ]|accessdate= January 11, 2010}}</ref> Softer, more formulaic films followed, including '']'' (1983), which earned Pryor $4&nbsp;million; '']'' (1985), '']'' (1988), and '']'' (1989). The only film project from this period that recalled his rough roots was Pryor's semiautobiographic debut as a writer-director, '']'' (1986), which was not a major success.

Despite a reputation for constantly using profanity on and off camera, Pryor briefly hosted a children's show on ] called '']'' (1984). Like '']'', ''Pryor's Place'' featured a cast of puppets, hanging out and having fun in a surprisingly friendly inner-city environment along with several children and characters portrayed by Pryor himself. However, ''Pryor's Place'' frequently dealt with more sobering issues than ''Sesame Street''. It was cancelled shortly after its debut, despite the efforts of famed puppeteers ] and a theme song by ] of "]" (1984) fame.

Pryor co-hosted the ] twice and was nominated for an Emmy for a guest role on the television series '']''. Network censors had warned Pryor about his profanity for the Academy Awards, and after a slip early in the program, a five-second delay was instituted when returning from a commercial break. Pryor is also one of only three ''Saturday Night Live'' hosts to be subjected to a rare five-second delay for his 1975 appearance (along with ] in 1986 and ] in 1990).

Pryor developed a reputation for being demanding and disrespectful on film sets, and for making selfish and difficult requests. In his autobiography ''Kiss Me Like a Stranger'', co-star Gene Wilder says that Pryor was frequently late to the set during filming of ''Stir Crazy'', and that he demanded, among other things, a helicopter to fly him to and from set because he was the star. Pryor was also accused of using allegations of on-set racism to force the hand of film producers into giving him more money. Also from Wilder's book:<ref>{{cite book|date=March 1, 2005 |publisher=St. Martin's Press |title=Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art|isbn=978-0-312-33706-3|url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/993706.Kiss_Me_Like_A_Stranger}}</ref>

<blockquote>One day during our lunch hour in the last week of filming, the ] man handed out slices of watermelon to each of us. Richard, the whole camera crew, and I sat together in a big sound studio eating a number of watermelon slices, talking and joking. As a gag, some members of the crew used a piece of watermelon as a Frisbee, and tossed it back and forth to each other. One piece of watermelon landed at Richard's feet. He got up and went home. Filming stopped. The next day, Richard announced that he knew very well what the significance of watermelon was. He said that he was quitting show business and would not return to this film. The day after that, Richard walked in, all smiles. I wasn't privy to all the negotiations that went on between Columbia and Richard's lawyers, but the camera operator who had thrown that errant piece of watermelon had been fired that day. I assume now that Richard was using drugs during ''Stir Crazy''.</blockquote>

He appeared in '']'' (1989), a comedy-drama crime film starring three generations of black comedians (Pryor, Eddie Murphy, and ]).

== Personal life and health ==
Pryor was a ] in a lodge in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freemasonry.bcy.ca/biography/pryor_r/pryor_r.html |title=Richard Pryor|website= GLBCY|accessdate= October 23, 2014}}</ref>

In November 1977, after many years of heavy smoking and drinking, Pryor suffered a mild heart attack. He recovered and resumed performing by January the following year. He was diagnosed with ] in 1986.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://richardpryor.com/biography.php |title=The Official Biography of Richard Pryor |publisher=Indigo, Inc. |accessdate=May 8, 2016}}</ref> In 1990, Pryor suffered a second heart attack while in Australia.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1990-03-23/news/mn-756_1_heart-attack|title=Richard Pryor Suffers a Minor Heart Attack in Australia|last=Writer|first=From a Times Staff|date=1990-03-23|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2017-06-20|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> He underwent triple ] surgery in 1991.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1991-06-01/news/9106010694_1_richard-pryor-mcelwaine-cracking-jokes|title=Richard Pryor Cracking Jokes After Triple Bypass|work=tribunedigital-orlandosentinel|access-date=2017-06-20|language=en}}</ref>

=== Freebase cocaine incident ===
On the late evening of June 9, 1980, during the making of the film ''Stir Crazy'', after days of ] ], Pryor poured 151-proof ] all over himself and lit himself on fire. While ablaze, he ran down Parthenia Street from his ] home, until being subdued by police. He was taken to a hospital, where he was treated for second- and third-degree burns covering more than half of his body. Pryor spent six weeks in recovery at the Grossman Burn Center at ]. His daughter, ], stated that the incident happened as a result of a bout of drug-induced ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Interview with Rain Pryor|date= November 6, 2006|work=]| page =76}}</ref>

Pryor incorporated a description of the incident into his comedy show '']'' (1982). He joked that the event was caused by dunking a cookie into a glass of low-fat and ] milk, causing an explosion. At the end of the bit, he poked fun at people who told jokes about it by waving a lit match and saying, "What's that? Richard Pryor running down the street."

After his "final performance", Pryor did not stay away from stand-up comedy long. Within a year, he filmed and released a new concert film and accompanying album, '']'' (1983), which he directed himself. He also wrote and directed a fictionalized account of his life, '']'' (1986), which revolved around the 1980 freebasing incident.

{{Refimprove section|date=June 2016}}

=== Marriages and relationships ===
Pryor was married seven times to five women. His wives were:
#Patricia Price, whom he married in 1960 and divorced the following year.
#Shelley Bonus, whom he married in 1967 and divorced in 1969.
#Deborah McGuire, whom he married on September 22, 1977; they divorced the following year.
#Jennifer Lee, whom he married in August 1981. They divorced in October 1982, but later remarried on June 29, 2001, and remained married until Pryor's death.
#Flynn Belaine, whom he married in October 1986. They were divorced in July 1987, but later remarried on April 1, 1990. They divorced again in July 1991.

=== Children ===
#Renee Pryor, born in 1957, the child of Pryor and girlfriend Susan, when Pryor was 17.<ref name="New Yorker"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Richard Pryor biography|work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Becoming Richard Pryor|author= Scott Saul|date= December 9, 2014|work=| location =}}</ref>
#Richard Pryor, Jr., born in 1961, the child of Pryor and his first wife, Patricia Price.
#Elizabeth Ann, born in April 1967, the child of Pryor and girlfriend Maxine Anderson (aka Maxine Silverman).
#], born July 16, 1969, the child of Pryor and his second wife, Shelley Bonus.
#Steven, born in 1984, the child of Pryor and Flynn Belaine, who later became his fifth wife.
#Kelsey, born in October 1987, the child of Pryor and his fifth wife, Flynn Belaine.
#Franklin, born in 1987, the child of Pryor and actress/model Geraldine Mason.

Pryor also had relationships with actresses ] and ].<ref name=Rabin>{{cite news|author=Rabin, Nathan Rabin| url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/random-roles-margot-kidder,24554/ |title=Random Roles: Margot Kidder (interview)|work=]|date= March 3, 2009}}</ref>

== Later life (1990–2005) ==
In his later years starting in the early to mid-1990s, Pryor used a power-operated ] due to multiple sclerosis (MS, which he said stood for "More Shit").{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} He appears on the scooter in his last film appearance, a small role in ]'s '']'' (1997) playing an auto-repair garage manager named Arnie.

In 1998, Pryor won the first ] from the ]. According to former Kennedy Center President Lawrence J. Wilker, Pryor was selected as the first recipient of the Prize because
<blockquote>
as a stand-up comic, writer, and actor, he struck a chord, and a nerve, with America, forcing it to look at large social questions of race and the more tragicomic aspects of the human condition. Though uncompromising in his wit, Pryor, like ], projects a generosity of spirit that unites us. They were both trenchant social critics who spoke the truth, however outrageous.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}
</blockquote>

] remastered all of Pryor's Reprise and WB albums for inclusion in the box set '']'' (2000).

In early 2000, Pryor appeared in the cold open of '']'' in the episode entitled "Norm vs. The Boxer". He played an elderly man in a wheelchair who lost the rights to in-home nursing when he kept attacking the nurses before attacking Norm himself.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Norm Show&nbsp;– Norm vs. the Boxer |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0662160/ |publisher=Internet Movie Database |accessdate=August 23, 2011}}</ref>

In 2001, he remarried Jennifer Lee, who had also become his manager.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.npr.org/2013/06/08/189255421/box-set-showcases-richard-pryors-difficult-spontaneous-hilarious-life|title=Box Set Showcases Richard Pryor's Difficult, Spontaneous, Hilarious Life|work=NPR.org|access-date=2017-10-18|language=en}}</ref>

In 2002, a television documentary entitled '']'' depicted Pryor's life and career.<ref name="explore.bfi.org.uk">http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b87cb041e</ref> Broadcast in the UK as part of the ] series '']'',<ref name="oftv.co.uk">, Oxford Film & Television.</ref><ref name="highbeam.com">http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23491363.html</ref> it was produced, directed and narrated by ]<ref name="explore.bfi.org.uk" /> and featured rare clips from Pryor's 1960s stand-up appearances and movies such as '']'' (1976), '']'' (1978), '']'' (1978), and '']'' (1980). Contributors included ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. The show tracked down the two cops who had rescued Pryor from his "freebasing incident", former managers, and even school friends from Pryor's home town of ]. In the US, the show went out as part of the '']''<ref name="ReferenceA">, IMDb.</ref><ref name="31.15.137.154"> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208162138/http://31.15.137.154/v5/imdb/movie.php?mid=1688812 |date=December 8, 2015 }}, IMDb.</ref> series on ], narrated by ].<ref>, IMDb.</ref><ref>, TCM.</ref>

In 2002, Pryor and his wife/manager, Jennifer Lee Pryor, won legal rights to all the Laff material, which amounted to almost 40 hours of reel-to-reel analog tape. After going through the tapes and getting Richard's blessing, Jennifer Lee Pryor gave Rhino Records access to the tapes in 2004. These tapes, including the entire ''Craps'' album, form the basis of the February 1, 2005, double-CD release '']''.<ref>{{cite web|website=CD Universe|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/6817862/a/evolution%2Frevolution%3A+the+early+years+%281966-1974%29.htm|title=Richard Pryor – Evolution/Revolution: The Early Years (1966–1974) CD}}</ref>

A television documentary, '']!!'' (2003) consisted of archival footage of Pryor's performances and testimonials from fellow comedians, including ], ], ], and ], on Pryor's influence on comedy.

In 2004, Pryor was voted number one on ]'s list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time.<ref name=cc/>

In late 2004, his sister said he had lost his voice as result of his multiple sclerosis. However, on January 9, 2005, Pryor's wife, Jennifer Lee, rebutted this statement in a post on Pryor's official website, citing Richard as saying: "I'm sick of hearing this shit about me not talking... not true... I have good days, bad days... but I still am a talkin' motherfucker!"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.richardpryor.com |title=Richard Pryor |publisher=Richard Pryor |accessdate=June 17, 2010}}</ref>

In a 2005 British poll to find "The Comedian's Comedian", Pryor was voted the 10th-greatest comedy act ever by fellow comedians and comedy insiders.

== Death ==
] covered with flowers, beer bottles, fan letters, etc.]]
On December 10, 2005, nine days after his 65th birthday, Pryor suffered a heart attack in Los Angeles. He was taken to a local hospital after his wife's attempts to resuscitate him failed. He was pronounced dead at 7:58&nbsp;am ]. His widow Jennifer was quoted as saying, "At the end, there was a smile on his face."<ref name="BBCobit" /> He was ], and his ashes were given to his family.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LWtqCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT486&lpg=PT486&dq=richard+pryor+cremated&source=bl&ots=BdvGN1CYZJ&sig=W2qgZQn3PsQ-6SfsUCFS2P9CCVE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjNjYHL5vrWAhVK12MKHVr7Avk4ChDoAQhYMAc#v=onepage&q=richard%20pryor%20cremated&f=false|title=Where Are They Buried?: How Did They Die? Fitting Ends and Final Resting Places of the Famous, Infamous, and Noteworthy|last=Benoit|first=Tod|publisher=Hachette Books|year=2015|isbn=9780316391962|location=|pages=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FOHgDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA605&lpg=PA605&dq=richard+pryor+cremated&source=bl&ots=UkOJPDxBI2&sig=VipnZVnlcZt4pYSCwlHHeEkjC2A&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjNjYHL5vrWAhVK12MKHVr7Avk4ChDoAQhbMAg#v=onepage&q=richard%20pryor%20cremated&f=false|title=Resting Places: The Burial Sites of Over 10,000 Famous Persons|last=Scott|first=Wilson|date=|publisher=McFarland|year=2016|isbn=9781476625997|edition=3rd|location=Jefferson, NC|pages=|oclc=894938680}}</ref> Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter believes Pryor's fatal heart attack was caused by ] that was at least partially brought about by years of tobacco smoking.<ref>"Autopsy: The Last Hours Of Richard Pryor." ''Autopsy''. Nar. Eric Meyers. Exec. Prod. Ed Taylor and Michael Kelpie. Reelz, March 25, 2017. Television.</ref>

== Remembrance and legacy ==
A retrospective of Pryor's film work, concentrating on the 1970s, titled ''A Pryor Engagement'', opened at ] Cinemas for a two-week run in February 2013.<ref name=NYT>{{cite news |last=Zinoman |first=Jason |title=Wild, Wired, Remembered A Richard Pryor Retrospective, 'A Pryor Engagement,' at BAM |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/06/movies/a-richard-pryor-retrospective-a-pryor-engagement-at-bam.html |accessdate=February 6, 2013 |newspaper=] |date=February 5, 2013}}</ref> Prolific comedians who have claimed Pryor as an influence include ], ], ], Dave Chappelle, ], ], ], ], Sam Kinison, ], ], Jerry Seinfeld, ], Eddie Murphy, ], and ].{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}

===In films and television===

In 2002, ] in the UK broadcast ''The Funny Life of Richard Pryor'',<ref name="explore.bfi.org.uk"/><ref name="oftv.co.uk"/> a one-hour biographical documentary directed by ],<ref name="explore.bfi.org.uk"/> as part of the series ''Kings of Black Comedy''.<ref name="oftv.co.uk"/><ref name="highbeam.com"/> In the US, the documentary was broadcast on ] as part of the ''Heroes of Black Comedy'' series.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="31.15.137.154"/>

On December 14, 2005, the episode "]" of the comedian hit show '']'' was dedicated to Pryor in his memory.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2P6btsBdA8 At the end, the dedication is seen.</ref>

On December 19, 2005, ] aired a Pryor special, titled '']''. It included commentary from fellow comedians, and insight into his upbringing.<ref>{{Citation|last=Hudlin|first=Reginald|title=Richard Pryor: The Funniest Man Dead or Alive|date=2005-12-19|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0498247/|others=Flynn Belaine, Dave Chappelle, Mike Epps|accessdate=2017-10-18}}</ref>

On March 1, 2008, fellow comedian ] performed his final ] special. An image of Pryor can be seen in the background throughout his set. Carlin would mention Pryor's death in his memoir, '']'' (2009), noting their friendly rivalry that lasted until Carlin finally beat him "in the Heart Attack 5000".

In the episode "Taxes and Death or Get Him to the Sunset Strip"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adultswim.com/videos/black-dynamite/taxes-and-death-or-get-him-to-the-sunset-strip/ |title=Taxes and Death' or Get Him to the Sunset Strip}}</ref>(2012), the voice of Richard Pryor is played by Eddie Griffin in the ] TV show '']''.

On May 31, 2013, ] debuted the documentary '']'' directed by Emmy Award–winning filmmaker Marina Zenovich. The executive producers are Pryor's widow Jennifer Lee Pryor and Roy Ackerman. Interviewees include Dave Chappelle, ], ], ], George Lopez, Bob Newhart, Richard Pryor, Jr., Lily Tomlin, and ].<ref name="imdb.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2401223/ |title=Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic, Internet Movie Database.com |date=July 31, 2013 |publisher=Internet Movie Database}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/04/15/richard-pryor-omit-the-logic-to-premiere-friday-may-31-on-showtime/177932/ |title=Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic to Premiere Friday May 31 on Showtime |work=TVbytheNumbers}}</ref>

==== Biopic ====
A planned biopic, entitled ''Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?'', was being produced by ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6235731-comic-richard-pryors-life-inspires-movie |title=All Voices Article July 5th 2010 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313122939/http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6235731-comic-richard-pryors-life-inspires-movie |archivedate=March 13, 2012 |df=mdy }}</ref> The film would have starred ] as the young Pryor.<ref></ref> Other actors previously attached include ] and Eddie Murphy. The film would have been directed by ] and was still in development with no release date, as of February 2013.<ref>{{IMDb title|1388407|Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?}}</ref>

The biopic remained in limbo, and went through several producers until it was announced in January 2014 that it was being backed by ] with ] as director.<ref>{{cite web| title = Lee Daniels To Direct Richard Pryor Biopic, Michael B. Jordan, Damon Wayans & Eddie Murphy in the Mix To Lead = The Playlist| date = January 10, 2014| url =http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/lee-daniels-to-direct-richard-pryor-biopic-michael-b-jordan-damon-wayans-eddie-murphy-in-the-mix-to-lead-20140110 |accessdate = December 10, 2014}}</ref> It was further announced, in August 2014, that the biopic will have ] as producer and will star ] as Pryor.<ref name=Pryor>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-28953387 |title=Lee Daniels' Richard Pryor biopic to star Mike Epps |publisher=] |accessdate=August 28, 2014}}</ref>

=== Literature ===
* Rovin, Jeff. ''Richard Pryor: Black and Blue''. London: Orbis, 1983.
* Haskins, James. ''Richard Pryor, A Man and His Madness: A Biography''. New York: Beaufort Books, 1984.
* Williams, John A. and Dennis A. Williams. ''If I Stop I'll Die: The Comedy and Tragedy of Richard Pryor''. New York: Thunder's Mouth Press, 1991.
* Pryor, Richard with Todd Gold. ''Pryor Convictions and Other Life Sentences''. New York: Pantheon Books, 1995.
* Pryor, Rain with Cathy Crimmins. ''Jokes My Father Never Taught Me: Life, Love, and Loss with Richard Pryor''. New York: HarperCollins, 2006.
* McCluskey, Audrey Thomas, ed. ''Richard Pryor: The Life and Legacy of a "Crazy" Black Man''. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2008.
* Brown, Cecil. ''Pryor Lives! How Richard Pryor Became Richard Pryor''. CreateSpace, 2013.
* Henry, David and Joe Henry. ''Furious Cool: Richard Pryor and the World That Made Him''. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books, 2013.
* Saul, Scott. ''Becoming Richard Pryor''. New York: HarperCollins, 2014.
* Bailey, Jason. ''Richard Pryor: American Id''. Raleigh, NC: The Critical Press, 2015.

===In radio===
From June 7 to 9, 2013, ] hosted "Richard Pryor Radio", a three-day tribute which featured his stand-up comedy and full live concerts. "Richard Pryor Radio" replaced ] for the duration of the event.

===Posthumous awards===
Pryor was posthumously awarded the ] in 2006.<ref>{{cite news|title=Richard Pryor to Get Posthumous Grammy Award |date=January 11, 2006 |work=Voice of America |url=http://voanews.com/english/archive/2006-01/Richard-Pryor-to-Get-Posthumous-Grammy-Award.cfm |accessdate=January 4, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913185314/http://voanews.com/english/archive/2006-01/Richard-Pryor-to-Get-Posthumous-Grammy-Award.cfm |archivedate=September 13, 2008 |df=mdy }}</ref>

===Awards in Pryor's name===
The animal rights organization ] gives out an award in Pryor's name to people who have done outstanding work to alleviate animal suffering. Pryor was active in animal rights and was deeply concerned about the plight of elephants in circuses and zoos.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}

===Hometown statue===
Artist Preston Jackson created a life-sized bronze statue in dedication to the beloved comedian and named it "Richard Pryor: More than Just a Comedian". It was placed at the corner of State and Washington Streets in downtown Peoria, on May 1, 2015, close to the neighborhood in which he grew up with his mother. The unveiling was held Sunday, May 3, 2015.<ref>{{ cite news |date=May 1, 2015 |title=Long effort to honor Peoria-born comedian Richard Pryor culminates in Sunday unveiling |author=Leslie Renken|work= Peoria Journal Star |url=http://m.pjstar.com/article/20150429/NEWS/150428947 |accessdate=May 1, 2015 }}</ref>

== Discography ==

=== Albums ===
* 1968: '']'' (])
* 1971: '']'' (], reissued 1993 by ])
* 1974: '']'' (], reissued 1975 by ])
* 1975: '']'' (], reissued 1991 on CD by ])
* 1976: ''Are You Serious ???'' (])
* 1976: ''Rev. Du Rite'' (])
* 1976: ''Holy Smoke!'' (])
* 1976: '']'' (])
* 1976: ''Insane'' (])
* 1976: '']'' (])
* 1977: ''Who Me? I'm Not Him'' (])
* 1977: ''Richard Pryor Live'' (])
* 1978: ''The Wizard of Comedy'' (])
* 1978: ''Black Ben The Blacksmith'' (])
* 1978: '']'' (2-LP set) (]);Others
* 1979: ''Outrageous'' (])
* 1982: '']'' (])
* 1982: ''Supernigger'' (])
* 1983: '']'' (])
* 1983: ''Richard Pryor Live!'' (]) (])
* 1983: ''Blackjack'' (LP, Album, RE) (])

=== Compilations ===
* 1973: ''Pryor Goes Foxx Hunting'' (].)
** Split LP with ], containing previously released tracks from ''Craps (After Hours)''
* 1975: ''Down And Dirty'' (].)
** Split LP with ], containing previously released tracks from ''Craps (After Hours)''
*1976: ''Richard Pryor Meets... Richard & Willie And... The SLA!!'' (])
** Split LP with black ventriloquist act Richard And Willie, containing previously released tracks from ''Craps (After Hours)''
* 1977: ''Richard Pryor's Greatest Hits'' (])
** Contains tracks from ''Craps (After Hours)'', ''That Nigger's Crazy'', and ''...Is It Something I Said?'', plus a previously unreleased track from 1975, "Ali".1982 The Very Best of Richard Pryor"
* 2000: '']'' (9-CD box set) (]/])
** Box set collection containing all Warner Bros. albums plus a bonus disc of previously unissued material from 1973 to 1992.
* 2002: '']'' (2-CD set) (]/], ])
** Highlights culled from the albums collected in the '']'' box set.
* 2005: '']'' (2-CD set) (]/], ])
** Pryor-authorized compilation of material released on Laff, including the entire ''Craps (After Hours)'' album.
* 2013: ''No Pryor Restraint: Life In Concert'' (7-CD, 2-DVD box set) (])
** Box set containing concert films, albums and unreleased material from 1966 to 1992.

== Filmography ==
{{div col||30em}}
*1967: '']'' as Whittaker
*1968: '']'' as Stanley X
*1969: '']''
*1970: '']'' as Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
*1970: '']'' as Himself
*1971: '']'' as Wino
*1971: '']'' as Himself
*1971: '']'' as Himself
*1972: '']'' as Piano Man
*1973: '']'' as Slim
*1973: '']'' as Jeff
*1973: '']'' as Mike Willmer
*1973: '']'' as Himself
*1974: '']'' as Sharp Eye Washington
*1975: '']'' as Himself
*1976: '']'' as Sam Spade
*1976: '']'' as Charlie Snow, All-Star (RF)
*1976: '']'' as Daddy Rich
*1976: '']'' as Grover
*1977: '']'' as Wendell Scott
*1977: '']'' as Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Reverend Lenox Thomas
*1978: '']'' as Zeke
*1978: '']'' as The Wiz (Herman Smith)
*1978: '']'' as Dr. Chauncey Gump
*1979: '']'' as Himself
*1979: '']'' as Balloon Vendor (cameo)
*1980: '']'' as Pharaoh
*1980: '']'' as G.O.D.
*1980: '']'' as Harry Monroe
*1981: '']'' as Joe Braxton
*1982: '']'' as Eddie Keller
*1982: '']'' as Himself
*1982: '']'' as Jack Brown
*1983: '']'' as Gus Gorman
*1983: '']'' as Himself
*1983: '']'' as Himself
*1985: '']'' as Montgomery Brewster
*1986: '']'' as Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego
*1987: '']'' as Kevin Lenahan / Dr. Eddie Slattery
*1988: '']'' as Arlo Pear
*1989: '']'' as Wallace 'Wally' Karue
*1989: '']'' as Sugar Ray
*1991: '']'' as Eddie Dash
*1991: '']'' as Narrator / Wino / Bartender
*1993: '']'' as himself
*1994: '']'' as himself
*1996: '']'' as Jimmy the Grave Digger
*1996: '']'' (Season 1, episode, Do the K.C. Hustle) as Uncle Bucky
*1997: '']'' as Arnie
*1999: '']'' (cameo in opening of season 2, episode 11) as Mr. Johnson
*2000: '']'' as Stand-Up Comedian on TV (uncredited)
*2003: '']'' as Himself
*2003: '']'' (archive footage)
*2005: '']'' (archive footage)
*2009: '']'' (archive footage)
*2013: '']'' as Himself (archive footage)
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book |first=Scott |last=Saul |year=2015 |title=Becoming Richard Pryor |location=New York |publisher=Harper |isbn=9780062123305 |oclc=869267234 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aOVzAwAAQBAJ}}

== External links ==
{{sisterlinks|d=Q294912|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|wikt=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|species=no|c=Category:Richard Pryor}}
* {{IMDb name|1640}}
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* {{IMDb name|0497503|Jennifer Lee Pryor}}
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* {{Cite AV media |title=Richard Pryor: Icon |date=November 23, 2014 |url=https://www.pbs.org/program/richard-pryor-icon/ |medium=video |publisher=]}} Biographical special—includes full version.

{{RichardPryorAlbums|state=uncollapsed}}

{{Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay}}
{{Mark Twain Prize for American Humor}}
{{Stax Records}}
{{Authority control}}


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Richard Pryor is one of the funniest black comedians of all time. Watch him. Now

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