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.
Recent movies
| # | Name | Character | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Breakdown: 1975 (2025) | Self (archive footage) | - |
| 2 | Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution (2024) | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) | 6.3 |
| 3 | Remembering Gene Wilder (2024) | Self (archive footage) | 8 |
| 4 | Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (2022) | Director / Writer | 6.6 |
| 5 | The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up (2022) | Self (archive footage) | - |
| 6 | I Am Richard Pryor (2019) | Self - Actor and Comedian (archive footage) | 5 |
| 7 | Richard Pryor: Icon (2014) | Self (archive footage) | - |
| 8 | Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic (2013) | Self (archive footage) | 7 |
| 9 | Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! (2003) | Self (archive footage) | - |
| 10 | A Huey P. Newton Story (2001) | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) | - |
| 11 | Lost Highway (1997) | Arnie | 8 |
| 12 | Mad Dog Time (1996) | Jimmy the Gravedigger | - |
| 13 | Another You (1991) | Eddie Dash | 7 |
| 14 | Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration (1990) | Self | - |
| 15 | Harlem Nights (1989) | Sugar Ray | 7.6 |
| 16 | See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) | Wallace 'Wally' Karue | 6.3 |
| 17 | Moving (1988) | Arlo Pear | 6.5 |
| 18 | Critical Condition (1987) | Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery | - |
| 19 | Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (1986) | Director / Writer | - |
| 20 | Brewster's Millions (1985) | Montgomery Brewster | 7.2 |
| 21 | Superman III (1983) | August 'Gus' Gorman | 5.7 |
| 22 | Richard Pryor: Here and Now (1983) | Director / Writer | 8 |
| 23 | Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip (1982) | Director / Writer | 6.5 |
| 24 | The Toy (1982) | Jack Brown | 5.7 |
| 25 | Some Kind of Hero (1982) | Cpl. Eddie Keller / Ted Segal | - |
| 26 | Wholly Moses (1980) | Pharaoh | - |
| 27 | Stir Crazy (1980) | Harry Monroe | 6.3 |
| 28 | Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (1979) | Director / Writer | 7 |
| 29 | The Muppet Movie (1979) | Balloon Vendor | 7.9 |
| 30 | California Suite (1978) | Dr. Chauncey Gump | - |
| 31 | Blue Collar (1978) | Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown | 9 |
| 32 | The Wiz (1978) | The Wiz | 7.2 |
| 33 | Greased Lightning (1977) | Wendell Scott | - |
| 34 | Which Way Is Up? (1977) | Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Rev. Lenox Thomas | - |
| 35 | The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976) | Charlie Snow | - |
| 36 | Car Wash (1976) | Daddy Rich | 6.7 |
| 37 | Silver Streak (1976) | Grover Muldoon | 7 |
| 38 | Adiós Amigo (1975) | Sam Spade | - |
| 39 | Carter's Army (1975) | Pvt. Jonathan Crunk | - |
| 40 | Uptown Saturday Night (1974) | Sharp Eye Washington | 7.5 |
| 41 | Blazing Saddles (1974) | Director / Writer | 7.9 |
| 42 | Some Call It Loving (1973) | Jeff | 5 |
| 43 | Hit! (1973) | Mike Willmer | 6 |
| 44 | The Mack (1973) | Slim | 7.5 |
| 45 | Wattstax (1973) | Self | 7 |
| 46 | Lady Sings the Blues (1972) | Piano Man | - |
| 47 | Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin' (1971) | Director / Writer | 5 |
| 48 | Dynamite Chicken (1971) | Self | - |
| 49 | The Phynx (1970) | Richard Pryor | 7 |
| 50 | Wild in the Streets (1968) | Stanley X | 4 |
