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Born on 1 December 1940 in Peoria, Illinois to a prostitute and bought up by his grandmother, the brothel owner, he suffered an abusive childhood. He first appeared on stage aged seven playing drums and whilst in the army, 1958 to 1960, acted in amateur theatre. However, comedy was his metier and he achieved success with Bill Cosby-style cosy stories. These, however, were the antitheses of his life experience, and in 1969, he walked off a Las Vegas stage and transformed his entire routine.... moreBorn on 1 December 1940 in Peoria, Illinois to a prostitute and bought up by his grandmother, the brothel owner, he suffered an abusive childhood. He first appeared on stage aged seven playing drums and whilst in the army, 1958 to 1960, acted in amateur theatre. However, comedy was his metier and he achieved success with Bill Cosby-style cosy stories. These, however, were the antitheses of his life experience, and in 1969, he walked off a Las Vegas stage and transformed his entire routine. Middle America hated his new subject matter and profanity but he was referencing his own life and language. It made for rich subject matter - not just his childhood but his seven marriages to five different women, the racism he endured, jail sentences, his drug addiction and near death after setting himself alight. He went on to star in films - often alongside Gene Wilder - until his diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis in 1986 restricted his acting work. He died on 10 December 2005 of a heart attack. He won an Emmy and five Grammy's. However, his greatest legacy is how his no-holds-barred frankness transformed comedy. He was voted Comedy Central's greatest stand up of all time.
Richard Pryor Quotes
Richard Pryor on Farting
I use to wonder was I the only one in the world that farted. I use to think that man and I use to really get up tight about that man. Cause I couldn't imagine anybody else doing it, you know. Cause it's such a natural thing, but it never happens... more
Richard Pryor on Being Famous
One thing about a public toilet is if somebody recognize my ass. You know, cause you could go in the toilet all your life. You go in the toilet and take a s*** and nobody say nothin. They may make a face when you leave, right? But they see... more
Richard Pryor - Man Tries to Take Pussy
I meet some strange women, being in show business. I'm glad of that, but strange. You know, I met one lady, came to my hotel room. She was a weight lifter. She was beautiful, man. Came to my hotel room. Beautiful body. She talk all that... more
Richard Pryor on Knives
Knives just make my heart go help! I don't even be cool with knives, they just chill me, I just go help! And mutha f***ers never stab you in real life like they do in the movies. You know in the movies they make it look like drama but if you... more
Richard Pryor on Heart Attacks
No mutha f***er will ever admit they had a heart attack. No sir I never did, I had indigestion one time. Them mutha f***ers hurt! I don't care what anybody tells your ass. I was walking in the yard and something said... "Don't breath... more
Links
Richard Pryor DVD's, Blu-Ray's and Downloads
RichardPryor.com - Richard Pryor's home.
IMDB - Filmography, discussions, Bio and more.
Pryor's Planet - Animal charity founded by Jennifer and Richard Pryor.
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