---
name: "Richard Pryor"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/richard-pryor"
fi1m_id: "richard-pryor"
imdb_id: "nm0001640"
tmdb_id: 9309
wikidata_id: "Q294912"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "1 December 1940"
died: "10 December 2005"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 63
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-10-07T04:24:09.155266+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Richard Pryor

## Identity

Richard Pryor

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/richard-pryor
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** richard-pryor
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001640
- **TMDB ID:** 9309
- **Wikidata ID:** Q294912
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Pryor, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q294912, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001640/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9309

Actor. Born 1 December 1940 in Peoria, Illinois, U.S.. Died 10 December 2005.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 1 December 1940, Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
- **Died:** 10 December 2005
- **Active:** 1974–1997
- **Also known as:** Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor, Ρίτσαρντ Πραιορ, Річард Прайор, ریچارد پرایور, ریچارد پرایر, Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor III
- **Frequently works with:** [Gene Wilder](https://film.one/person/gene-wilder.md), [Ned Beatty](https://film.one/person/ned-beatty.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 63, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 72 (2), 1980s 52 (3), 1990s 78 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 70 to 63 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 3 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 5, Action 2, Adventure 2, Crime 2, Family 2, Thriller 2
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $360m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Pryor, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q294912, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001640/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9309

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Stir Crazy*](https://film.one/film/stir-crazy.md) (60), [*The Toy*](https://film.one/film/the-toy.md) (46)
- **HBO Max:** [*Superman III*](https://film.one/film/superman-iii.md) (49)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

Richard Pryor was an American stand-up comedian and actor. He was born in Peoria, Illinois, on 1 December 1940 and died in Los Angeles on 10 December 2005.

Pryor appeared in numerous films, including *Blazing Saddles* (1974), *Silver Streak* (1976), *The Wiz* (1978), *Stir Crazy* (1980), *Superman III* (1983), *Brewster's Millions* (1985), *See No Evil, Hear No Evil* (1989) and *Harlem Nights* (1989). He played Arnie in *Lost Highway* (1997). He also wrote for film and television and released several concert films and recordings.

Pryor received an Emmy Award in 1973 and five Grammy Awards between 1974 and 1982. He was awarded the first Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 1998.

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com.*

## On Fi1m (6)

- *Lost Highway* (1997), Fi1m 78, as Arnie — [page](https://film.one/film/lost-highway.md)
- *Superman III* (1983), Fi1m 49, as August 'Gus' Gorman — [page](https://film.one/film/superman-iii.md)
- *The Toy* (1982), Fi1m 46, as Jack Brown — [page](https://film.one/film/the-toy.md)
- *Stir Crazy* (1980), Fi1m 60, as Harry Monroe — [page](https://film.one/film/stir-crazy.md)
- *The Muppet Movie* (1979), Fi1m 82, as Balloon Vendor — [page](https://film.one/film/the-muppet-movie.md)
- *Silver Streak* (1976), Fi1m 63, as Grover Muldoon — [page](https://film.one/film/silver-streak.md)

## Complete filmography (59)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight* (2023), Actor
- *Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank* (2022), Original Film Writer
- *Black and White Trypps Number Four* (2008), Actor
- *Legends* (2006), series, as G.O.D. (archive footage) (uncredited)
- *Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special* (1999), as (archive footage)
- *The Norm Show* (1999), series, Actor
- *Lost Highway* (1997), as Arnie — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/lost-highway.md)
- *Mad Dog Time* (1996), as Jimmy the Gravedigger
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Joe Springer
- *Martin* (1992), series, as Richard Pryor
- *The Three Muscatels* (1991), as Narrator / Wino / Bartender
- *Another You* (1991), as Eddie Dash
- *Harlem Nights* (1989), as Sugar Ray
- *See No Evil, Hear No Evil* (1989), as Wallace 'Wally' Karue
- *Moving* (1988), as Arlo Pear
- *Critical Condition* (1987), as Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery
- *Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling* (1986), as Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego · Director, Screenplay, Producer
- *Brewster's Millions* (1985), as Montgomery Brewster
- *Pryor's Place* (1984), series, as Richard Pryor · Creator
- *Richard Pryor: Here and Now* (1983), Director, Writer
- *Superman III* (1983), as August 'Gus' Gorman — Fi1m 49, [page](https://film.one/film/superman-iii.md)
- *The Toy* (1982), as Jack Brown — Fi1m 46, [page](https://film.one/film/the-toy.md)
- *Some Kind of Hero* (1982), as Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal
- *Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip* (1982), Writer, Producer
- *Bustin' Loose* (1981), as Joe Braxton · Story, Producer
- *Stir Crazy* (1980), as Harry Monroe — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/stir-crazy.md)
- *In God We Tru$t* (1980), as G.O.D.
- *Wholly Moses* (1980), as Pharaoh
- *The Muppet Movie* (1979), as Balloon Vendor — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-muppet-movie.md)
- *Richard Pryor: Live in Concert* (1979), Writer
- *The Wiz* (1978), as The Wiz
- *California Suite* (1978), as Dr. Chauncey Gump
- *Blue Collar* (1978), as Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
- *Which Way Is Up?* (1977), as Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas
- *The Richard Pryor Show* (1977), series, as Host · Creator
- *Greased Lightning* (1977), as Wendell Scott
- *The Richard Pryor Special?* (1977), Writer
- *Silver Streak* (1976), as Grover Muldoon — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/silver-streak.md)
- *Car Wash* (1976), as Daddy Rich
- *The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings* (1976), as Charlie Snow
- *Adiós Amigo* (1975), as Sam Spade
- *Carter's Army* (1975), as Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
- *Uptown Saturday Night* (1974), as Sharp Eye Washington
- *Blazing Saddles* (1974), Screenplay
- *Juke and Opal* (1973), as Juke
- *Some Call It Loving* (1973), as Jeff
- *Lily* (1973), Writer
- *Hit!* (1973), as Mike Willmer
- *The Mack* (1973), as Slim
- *Lady Sings the Blues* (1972), as Piano Man
- *You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat* (1971), as Wino
- *Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'* (1971), Writer
- *The Partridge Family* (1970), series, as A.E. Simon
- *The Young Lawyers* (1970), series, Actor
- *The Phynx* (1970), as Richard Pryor
- *The Young Lawyers* (1969), as Otis Tucker
- *Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales* (1969), Writer
- *Wild in the Streets* (1968), as Stanley X
- *The Busy Body* (1967), as Whittaker

## Gallery

- ![Richard Pryor](https://film.one/media/person/87545/gallery-174ff0b4e5b8.jpg) Richard Pryor — GAC=General Artists Corporation (management)/Photographer:Berk Costello, New York City/Mister Kelly's, who sent the photo and release to the press., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/Richard_Pryor_1969.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Publicity photo of Alan Alda, Lily Tomlin and Richard Pryor from Tomlin's 1973 CBS Television special, Lily.](https://film.one/media/person/87545/gallery-97d09fb48494.jpg) Publicity photo of Alan Alda, Lily Tomlin and Richard Pryor from Tomlin's 1973 CBS Television special, Lily. — CBS Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/Alan_Alda_Lily_Tomlin_Richard_Pryor_1973.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- !["Bayard Rustin](https://film.one/media/person/87545/gallery-84e045ff7b0a.jpg) "Bayard Rustin — Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Bayard_Rustin%2C_New_York_Amsterdam_News_1977_12_17_pg40.jpg/1280px-Bayard_Rustin%2C_New_York_Amsterdam_News_1977_12_17_pg40.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Richard Pryor](https://film.one/media/person/87545/gallery-d7b87ea3d2c1.jpg) Richard Pryor — President (1981-1989 : Reagan). White House Photographic Office. 1981-1989, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/President_Ronald_Reagan_Shaking_Hands_with_Richard_Pryor_at_a_Reception_in_Honor_of_Anniversary_of_Birth_of_Martin_Luther_King_Jr._in_Blue_Room_-_DPLA_-_d1f3a881b4239f87a3ef74e1b3b50028.jpg/1280px-thumbnail.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Richard Pryor](https://film.one/media/person/87545/gallery-4e026be20110.jpg) Richard Pryor — Image via TMDB
- ![Richard Pryor](https://film.one/media/person/87545/gallery-753e943c3036.jpg) Richard Pryor — Image via TMDB
- ![Richard Pryor](https://film.one/media/person/87545/gallery-4d404ce52ee1.jpg) Richard Pryor — Image via TMDB
- ![Portrait of American comedian Richard Pryor, seated, wearing a fedora, and holding a cigar (1976)](https://film.one/media/person/87545/gallery-dea0529cab18.jpg) Portrait of American comedian Richard Pryor, seated, wearing a fedora, and holding a cigar (1976) — Marianna Diamos, Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Richard_Pryor%2C_1976.jpg/1280px-Richard_Pryor%2C_1976.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Photo taken February 1986 at the Kahala Hilton Hotel in Honolulu Hawaii - Photo shows Richard Pryor having breakfast in the hotel's restaurant - Permission gran (2006)](https://film.one/media/person/87545/gallery-4192b3c9d3bb.jpg) Photo taken February 1986 at the Kahala Hilton Hotel in Honolulu Hawaii - Photo shows Richard Pryor having breakfast in the hotel's restaurant - Permission gran (2006) — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Richard_Pryor_%28210972436%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Richard Pryor](https://film.one/media/person/87545/gallery-8cc04e287af6.jpg) Richard Pryor — Image via TMDB
- ![Richard Pryor](https://film.one/media/person/87545/gallery-018d47c3f552.jpg) Richard Pryor — Image via TMDB
- ![Richard Pryor](https://film.one/media/person/87545/gallery-9fc53162dcd6.jpg) Richard Pryor — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 5 won, 1 nominated

- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award 2006: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (won)
- Mark Twain Prize for American Humor 1998: Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (won)
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award 1984: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award (nominated), for *Superman III*
- Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album 1982: Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album (won), for *Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip*
- Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album 1976: Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album (won), for *Bicentennial Nigger*
- Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album 1974: Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album (won), for *That Nigger's Crazy*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/richard-pryor