Richard Pryor dead at 65 - BREAKING NEWS
Groundbreaking comedian Richard Pryor, whose personal website said of him, "The Funny Survivor Who Ain't Dead Yet, MF*er!", has passed away at the age of 65. Pryor died of a heart attack in his home late Friday or early Saturday, according to his ex-wife. Pryor was known for his foul-mouthed but astute observations of the world around him, but his personal life was rife with problems, including drug abuse and, most recently, multiple sclerosis.
Pryor was one of the first comedians I ever watched - he was my dad's favorite comedian, so I was exposed to him from an early age and always loved him. From Silver Streak, in which he costarred with Gene Wilder, to Stir Crazy (another Wilder colloboration) to The Toy (which, by the by, costarred the kid who played Flick, the kid who got his tongue stuck to the pole in A Christmas Story), Pryor never failed to make audiences laugh. But I think his 1986 autobiographical film, Jo-Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling, stands out for me as his best work, if only because he came closest then to real self-examination and personal growth.
Of course, it was as a stand-up comedian that Pryor will be most remembered. Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip is probably the best of his live performances available, and I'm betting it will be hard to get at your local video store for a while. What are your favorite memories of Richard Pryor? Mine will always be that scene in Silver Streak when he tries to teach Gene Wilder how to be a black man.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
12-10-2005 @ 4:59PM
Chuck said...
We will miss you, we laughed hard man...you the best that ever lived.
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12-10-2005 @ 5:17PM
Dawn said...
I'll keep you in my prayers.....thanx for all the laughs!!! u were the best there ever was is and ever will be!
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12-10-2005 @ 5:24PM
Ray said...
R.I.P Rich... your a true inspiration to me and many others... May you rest in peace now.
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12-10-2005 @ 5:26PM
susan bunce said...
I will miss you Richard !...I grew up watching and laughing with you ! You are my hero ! Rest in peace lord knows you deserve it !
Always in my heart....Susan bunce
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12-10-2005 @ 5:28PM
Alison said...
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Richard and Jennifer's recently established animal charity Pryor's Planet, C/O Edward D. Astrin, CPA, 16633 Ventura Blvd. #1450, Encino, CA 91436.
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12-10-2005 @ 5:32PM
T said...
You always knew how to make us laugh, but now we have to cry. U will be missed and never forgotten. God Bless...
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12-10-2005 @ 5:32PM
Rich Embry said...
As I grow up. I started listening to Richard's album's,that my Grandmother and Pop's had; "That Nigger's Crazy Is It Something I said? Etc..." and try to mimic every verse. Til this day, Richard is a hero to me. He is an individual who will be miss dearly. Thanks for all the laughs. While you are up there, give them the same laughs, as you did when you we're here with us. God Bless you and your family.
Give them Hell..................
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12-10-2005 @ 5:33PM
the celebrities-weblog said...
Richard was ahead of his time. It's too bad his time was so short.
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12-10-2005 @ 5:35PM
Jan said...
Rest in Peace and the relief you so richly deserve, Richard Pryor. You will live on through today's comedians that you inspired, and through the up-and-coming comedians of the future. Your wit and wisdom will be sorely missed. Thanks for all the laughs and your on-the-mark insights. You will be missed. Godspeed, friend.
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12-10-2005 @ 5:36PM
Angelique said...
I remember the first time I ever saw Richard Pryor. I was 7 years old and the movie I saw was "The Toy". I grew up and got familiarized with his stand up routines. And I must say, he was a comic genius! He was straight forward, never holding anything back. That's what I love most about him. Everything you and I were probably afraid to say, he outright said it! We love you Richard and may you rest in peace (finally).
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12-10-2005 @ 5:55PM
ben said...
oh my god..i can't beleive, the funniest guy that ever lived, R.I.P, in my thoughts for now
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12-10-2005 @ 6:11PM
Peter said...
What a bummer.
RIP Richard Pryor, you were a king.
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12-10-2005 @ 6:17PM
William Baker said...
If there is a heaven, they are laughing their wings and ass off right now. R.I.P. sweet prince.
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12-10-2005 @ 6:26PM
Kimberly said...
We Loved watching you. We had alot of laughs. You where the best...
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12-10-2005 @ 6:28PM
Brenda Homer said...
The man was brilliant ... and will be missed for years to come. Say hello to Luther, and the others I know you gonna whup their butts up there in heaven with laughter, go easy on um Richard !!! I'm missing you already R.I.P.
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12-10-2005 @ 6:37PM
Crystal said...
Deeply shocked and saddened. There will never, never be another you Mr. Richard Pryor. In my heart, you will always be the best. No one can come close to your style of comedy! Rest in peace forever! Love forever and ever...
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12-10-2005 @ 6:38PM
Willette Footman said...
You are a true comedian and will always be in my eyes. What will the comedy world be without you? Keep it going in heaven, but don't knock 'em dead!!
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12-10-2005 @ 6:56PM
Scott McCauley said...
All one has to do is say Richard Pryor and you can almost here People who knew him enjoying the Comedy of words and talent we all have come to know for the most loved & funny man of our times.
Richard Pryor you will be missed dearly but God needs a good laugh so he picked a Great Man to Deliver!
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12-10-2005 @ 6:57PM
Bryan Van said...
I never had the pleasure of meeting this funny mutha fuka,but his comedy has been apart of my life everyday, since i first heard one of his albums back in the 70's. He, and all his charactors have been missed, and will continue to be so !!!...." mudbone, cockeyed jr, toodlum, Miss Rudolph, and the 3 legg-ed monkey, and many more !!!!!! THANK YOU.....THANK YOU.....THANK YOU
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12-10-2005 @ 7:00PM
Dan Doby said...
Richard Pryor was the only comedian to make me literally fall down laughing. I was in Washington DC in 1985, and I was trying, with little success, to exercise while listening to Richard's recording of Mudbone's encounter with Miss Rudolph, the witch doctor whom Mudbone had taken his friend to in hopes of curing his friend's ailing feet. Pryor came off with a barrage of humor so unbeleivably funny that I literally fell flat on my ass from a standing position. I lay there for 10 minutes, trying to get up, but finally gave in and howled in the face of pure human genius. I fell in love with the boy that day, and thought of that moment many times in my life, always with joy. Today...man, I'm going to miss you, Richard. I hope that your soul goes flying over Peoria, and straight into God'a arms.
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