Richard Pryor
Known for Acting · 104 credits
- Born
- 1940-12-01
- Died
- 2005-12-10
- Place of birth
- Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
- Also known as
- Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor · Ρίτσαρντ Πραιορ · Річард Прайор · ریچارد پرایور · ریچارد پرایر · Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor III
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.
Known For
TV Shows (23)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self / Self (archive footage)
The Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self - Co-Host
Saturday Night Live
1975
as Self - Host
Chicago Hope
1994
as Joe Springer
The Merv Griffin Show
1962
as Self
The Ed Sullivan Show
1948
as Self
Dinah!
1974
as Self
Martin
1992
as Richard Pryor
The Partridge Family
1970
as A.E. Simon
Kraft Music Hall
1958
as Self
The Midnight Special
1972
as Self
The Flip Wilson Show
1970
as Self
Legends
2006
as G.O.D. (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Norm Show
1999
Dark Side of Comedy
2022
as Self (Archive Footage)
Hollywood Black
2024
as Self (archive footage)
I Am
2012
as Self
Superstar
2021
as Self (archive footage)
The Richard Pryor Show
1977
as Host
The Comedy Store
2020
as Self (archive footage)
The Young Lawyers
1970
Stand-Up: The Laughing Therapy
2024
as Self (archive footage)
Pryor's Place
1984
as Richard Pryor
Movies (81)
Adiós Amigo
1975
as Sam Spade
John Candy: I Like Me
2025
as Self - Actor (archive footage)
Lost Highway
1997
as Arnie
See No Evil, Hear No Evil
1989
as Wallace 'Wally' Karue
Superman III
1983
as August 'Gus' Gorman
The Muppet Movie
1979
as Balloon Vendor
Breakdown: 1975
2025
as Self (archive footage)
Brewster's Millions
1985
as Montgomery Brewster
I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not
2025
as Self (archive footage)
Lily
1973
Stir Crazy
1980
as Harry Monroe
Silver Streak
1976
as Grover Muldoon
Harlem Nights
1989
as Sugar Ray
The Wiz
1978
as The Wiz
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales
1969
Critical Condition
1987
as Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery
Zeitgeist: Requiem
2024
as Self (archive footage)
Group Therapy
2024
as Self (archive footage)
The Young Lawyers
1969
as Otis Tucker
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
2013
as Self (archive footage)
Blue Collar
1978
as Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
Car Wash
1976
as Daddy Rich
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
2024
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
California Suite
1978
as Dr. Chauncey Gump
Lady Sings the Blues
1972
as Piano Man
Another You
1991
as Eddie Dash
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic
2013
as Self (archive footage)
The Toy
1982
as Jack Brown
Mad Dog Time
1996
as Jimmy the Gravedigger
Moving
1988
as Arlo Pear
I Am Richard Pryor
2019
as Self - Actor and Comedian (archive footage)
Uptown Saturday Night
1974
as Sharp Eye Washington
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
1983
as Self
Wholly Moses
1980
as Pharaoh
The Phynx
1970
as Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert
1979
as Self
Remembering Gene Wilder
2024
as Self (archive footage)
The N Word
2006
as Self (archive footage)
The Three Muscatels
1991
as Narrator / Wino / Bartender
Richard Pryor: Here and Now
1983
as Self
101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment
2003
as Self (archive footage)
Richard Pryor: Icon
2014
as Self (archive footage)
In God We Tru$t
1980
as G.O.D.
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
1986
as Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego
Juke and Opal
1973
as Juke
Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?
1999
as Self
Greased Lightning
1977
as Wendell Scott
Some Kind of Hero
1982
as Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal
Which Way Is Up?
1977
as Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas
The Mack
1973
as Slim
Flip Wilson... Of Course
1974
as Self
Hit!
1973
as Mike Willmer
Wild in the Streets
1968
as Stanley X
Bustin' Loose
1981
as Joe Braxton
But... Seriously
1994
as Self (archive footage)
Blacks and Jews
1997
as Self
The Lion Roars Again
1975
as Self
The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up
2022
as Self (archive footage)
Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration
1990
as Self
Carter's Army
1975
as Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
1976
as Charlie Snow
Some Call It Loving
1973
as Jeff
A Huey P. Newton Story
2001
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
A Walking Tour of Sesame Street
1979
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s
2007
as Self (archive footage)
Dynamite Chicken
1971
as Self
The Busy Body
1967
as Whittaker
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003
as Self (archive footage)
The Richard Pryor Special?
1977
as Self / Various
Wattstax
1973
as Self
Afro Promo
1997
as Self (archive footage)
The Making of 'Superman III'
1985
as Self
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
1982
as Self
TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic Routines
1986
as Self
You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat
1971
as Wino
The Richard Pryor show Volume 2
1977
as Self
Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'
1971
as Self
Untitled Joan Rivers Documentary
as Self (archive footage)
The Last Days of Richard Pryor
2020
as Himself
Black and White Trypps Number Four
2008
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
2023
About Richard Pryor
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… With 104 credits spanning from 1948 to 2025, Richard Pryor has appeared in 81 films and 23 TV shows.
Fans searching for Richard Pryor movies, Richard Pryor filmography, or the latest projects starring Richard Pryor can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Richard Pryor Movies
- Adiós Amigo (1975) — as Sam Spade
- John Candy: I Like Me (2025) — as Self - Actor (archive footage)
- Lost Highway (1997) — as Arnie
- See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) — as Wallace 'Wally' Karue
- Superman III (1983) — as August 'Gus' Gorman
Where to Watch Richard Pryor Films
Most Richard Pryor movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Richard Pryor, check our movies catalogue and browse page.