Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Richard Pryor Dead at 65

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Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 12-10-2005, 03:39 PM:

Pathbreaking Comedian Richard Pryor Dies

LOS ANGELES -
Richard Pryor, the caustic yet perceptive actor-comedian who lived dangerously close to the edge both on stage and off, has died, his ex-wife said Saturday. He was 65.

Pryor died of a heart attack at his home in the San Fernando Valley sometime late Friday or early Saturday, Flyn Pryor said. He had been ill for years with multiple sclerosis, a degenerative disease of the nervous system.

The comedian was regarded early in his career as one of the most foul-mouthed comics in the business, but he gained a wide following for his expletive-filled but universal and frequently personal insights into modern life and race relations.

His audacious style influenced an array of stand-up artists, including
Eddie Murphy,
Arsenio Hall and
Damon Wayans, as well as
Robin Williams, David Letterman and others.

A series of hit comedies in the '70s and '80s, as well as filmed versions of his concert performances, helped make him Pryor one of the highest paid stars in Hollywood. He was one of the first black performers to have enough leverage to cut his own Hollywood deals. In 1983, he signed a $40 million, five-year contract with Columbia Pictures.

His films included "Stir Crazy," "Silver Streak," "Which Way Is Up?" and "Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip."

Richard was one funny dude. RIP and thanks for the laughs. -Aaron

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 12-10-2005, 04:15 PM:

I saw him give a keynote address at a cinema owners convention in Miami either in the late 1970's or very early 80's. He joked and ragged out the theatre owners for not sending all the boxoffice money to the film companies for his pictures...and was going to pass a plate around to collect [scream]

I was sitting with some buddies in film distribution and they where laughing and loving the reaction in the room [Razz]

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 12-10-2005, 04:26 PM:

Someone told me several years ago that he had died and I have thought he was dead since. [Frown]

Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 12-10-2005, 04:28 PM:

Such a funny man. He will be missed.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 12-10-2005, 04:34 PM:

He was one of the pioneers of modern stand up comedy. It is likely every professional comedian working today was influenced at least in part by Richard Pryor. Even other comedy legends like George Carlin have to acknowledge the influence.

Posted by Frank Dubrois (Member # 3042) on 12-10-2005, 09:13 PM:

I just saw Stir Crazy last night. This sucks...he was damn funny.

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 12-11-2005, 12:57 AM:

I'm pretty sure George was around before Richard.

Posted by Greg Anderson (Member # 235) on 12-11-2005, 11:08 PM:

The Beatles admitted to admiration for and influence by the Beach Boys. So it's entirely possible that Carlin was influenced by a contemporary. But, yeah, Carlin was around for a while before anyone knew who Richard Pryor was. Have you seen those old pictures of Carlin when he had short hair and wore suits onstage? Wild!

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 12-12-2005, 12:59 AM:

Yeah that's what I was referring to.... I remember seeing a clip of him on a tv show, possibly the Tonight show with the host before Johnny Carson (or maybe it was during the carson era), with the same getup, suit and short hair. Very weird seeing that for the first time.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-12-2005, 03:10 AM:

"Wonderful W.I.N.O" .. and the "Hippy, Dippy Weatherman.."

Funniest stand-up show of Pryor's was the HBO's broadcast of "Richard Pryor Live in Concert" - which was later released on film for the midnight show cult followers...

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-12-2005, 12:15 PM:

His album "Wanted...Live in Concert" is my favorite. Great talent, but he was sure in bad shape for a lot of years. I'd say he's in a happier place now.

Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 12-12-2005, 02:51 PM:

I agree, Mike.
Shame to see such a great talent pass on though.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 12-12-2005, 06:42 PM:

While I never worked on a film with him, I did some work for him many years ago installing a CCTV security system in his San Fernando Valley home.

While he was a BIG-TIME druggie, he at least admitted it, discouraged it, and included and made fun of his plight in his routines...including the time he was free-basing and set himself on fire.

I agree with the others that he set the bar in comedy and will be missed. His performance in "Silver Streak" is among my favorites.

Oh, and not to forget "The Toy" with Scott Schwartz who was the kid in "Christmas Story" that got his tongue stuck to the flagpole and then went on to do many PORNO films. YIKES!

Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 12-12-2005, 06:58 PM:

He was probably the first black actor I was ever exposed to, having watched Silver Streak almost daily during my early years.

How come you whities always gotta walk with such a tight ass?

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 12-12-2005, 07:38 PM:

quote: Mike Heenan
I'm pretty sure George was around before Richard.

Yes, George Carlin was around before Richard Pyror. He was already a pretty successful comedian before Pryor became popular. Nevertheless, Carlin's style was very different before Pryor hit the scene. The events of the late 1960s was a major influence in changing Carlin's style, but Pryor helped knock down quite a few barriers on making confrontational, take no prisoners comedy a mainstream thing.

Posted by Jeremy Jorgenson (Member # 2989) on 12-12-2005, 09:07 PM:

Many of the Wilder/Pryor comedies were some of my family's favorites as I was growing up.

I'll have to watch one or two of them once again.