#Jr rochard movie

He and Grier were involved off-screen for a while before Pryor married his third wife, Deborah McGuire, in 1977. Pryor went on to play the first African American stock car racing champion in Greased Lightning (1977), with Beau Bridges and Pam Grier. He starred in the box office hit Silver Streak (1976), with Gene Wilder and Jill Clayburgh.

#Jr rochard movie

In one bit, Pryor described how differently the horror film The Exorcist would have been had it featured an African American family instead of a white one.īy the late 1970s, Pryor had a thriving career as a movie actor. He poked fun at the white establishment and explored the racial divide. Despite its X-rated content, his third comedy album sold extremely well and won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording in 1974-a feat he repeated over the next two years.įans of all racial backgrounds were captivated by Pryor's comedy, which consisted of situational and character-driven humor in place of straightforward jokes. His own work was also attracting a lot of attention. Richard Pryor MoviesĬontinuing to thrive professionally, Pryor worked with Mel Brooks on the screenplay for the western spoof Blazing Saddles (1974).

Pryor also wrote for such shows as The Flip Wilson Show and Sanford and Son, which starred comedian Redd Foxx. The following year, Pryor took home his first Emmy (best writing in comedy, variety) for another collaboration with Lily Tomlin: the comedy special Lily (1973). In 1973, he netted his first Emmy Award nomination (outstanding writing achievement in comedy, variety) for his work on The Lily Tomlin Show. He earned positive reviews for his supporting role in the Billie Holiday biopic Lady Sings the Blues (1972), starring Diana Ross. In the early 1970s, Pryor scored several successes as an actor and comedian. He retreated to Berkeley, California, where he met a variety of counterculture figures, including Black Panther leader Huey P. Tired of the constraints and limitations on his material, Pryor walked off stage and took a break from stand-up. He reached an interesting career turning point while playing at the Aladdin in the late 1960s. Playing Las Vegas, he served as Bobby Darin's opening act at the Flamingo Hotel for a time. Pryor toured extensively, doing his stand-up comedy act. The couple had one child together, a daughter named Elizabeth, before divorcing in 1969. Pryor even gave marriage another try - he wed Shelly Bonus in 1967. He also released his first self-titled comedy album around this time. At the time, his act was modeled after two African American comedians he admired, Bill Cosby and Dick Gregory.īy the late 1960s, Pryor had landed a few small parts on the big screen, appearing in The Busy Body (1967) and Wild in the Streets (1968). Guest appearances followed on such programs as The Merv Griffin Show and The E d Sullivan Show. The following year, he made his television debut on the variety show On Broadway Tonight. He found work as a stand-up comic throughout the Midwest, playing African American clubs in such cities as East St. After ending his marriage, Pryor pursued a career as an entertainer. The couple had one child together before divorcing.

Upon his return home, Pryor married Patricia Price in 1960. He served in the army for only two years, as he was discharged for fighting with another soldier. She believed in his talent and encouraged him throughout the years.Įxpelled from school at age 14, Pryor ended up working a string of jobs until he joined the military in 1958. A natural performer, Pryor was cast in a production of Rumpelstiltskin by Juliette Whittaker, the director of a local community center. He went on to discover acting in his early teens. To step away from the grim reality of his life, Pryor found solace in going to the movies.Īt school, Pryor played the part of the class clown. He also experienced sexual abuse as a child, according to his official website. His parents married when he was 3 years old, but their union did not last.įor much of his youth, Pryor was left in his grandmother's care and lived in the brothel she ran. He got a rough start in life: His mother reportedly worked as a prostitute and his father was a bartender and boxer who served in the military during World War II. Pryor was born on December 1, 1940, in Peoria, Illinois. Pryor was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1986 but continued to perform for several more years. A class clown in school and a community theater actor in his teens, Richard Pryor became a successful stand-up comedian, television writer and movie actor, starring in films like Stir Crazy and Greased Lightning.