Richard Pryor Died Yesterday

12-11-2005, 09:25 AM

Richard Pryor 1940 - 2005
Richard Pryor, the stand-up who arguably made likely the three funniest concert films ever committed to celluloid, passed away on Saturday morning at age 65.

According to Reuter's website Pryor died of cardiac arrest at 7:58 a.m. after he was taken to a hospital in the Los Angeles suburb of Encino. Pryor had been suffering from multiple sclerosis, a degenerative nervous system disease, for almost 20 years.

Considered by many to be one of the greatest stand up comedians who ever lived, he successfully managed to bring humour that normally stayed within the African American community into a wider, international forum, a quality shared by other great comedians like Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock.

Pryor's comedy was perhaps more trailblazing and influential than any of them; for him, nothing was off limits. Racism was a major component of his routine and he even joked about a 1980 incident in which he nearly died after setting himself on fire while free-basing cocaine.

Aside from his stand up performances, Pryor also proved a hit in the cinema. His breakthrough role came in the 1976 Gene Wilder comedy Silver Streak and the pair formed an unlikely partnership that saw them light up the screen together on several occasions.

with starring roles in Blue Collar, Stir Crazy, The Toy and Superman III.. Perhaps his most enduring contribution to cinema may end up being 1974’s comedy classic Blazing Saddles, which he co-wrote with Mel Brooks, Andrew Bergman, Norman Steinberg and Alan Uger.

His film CV also lists Lady Sings The Blues, Uptown Saturday Night, Car Wash and The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings.

Already severely ill, Pryor's last big-screen appearance was in a truly great film, David Lynch's 1997 brain-twister Lost Highway.

jerry · 12-11-2005, 09:35 AM

Seen that yester day. granted he wasn't a model citizen, but he was good at his craft.

Always exposed to his stuff. Him being from my home town probably had a bit to do ith it.

12-11-2005, 09:46 AM

“Richard will never be equaled for his depth of exploration into character during a period of war, civil rights issues, drugs, and political corruption. He was never a ‘joke-teller’; he was a performer of the caliber of (Thelonious) Monk, (Miles) Davis, Lenny Bruce… There was one, and only one, stand-up comic who covered this period (the '60s) and these experiences for me… with his jazz-like approach… Richard is the consummate comic/jazz artist, and no one will ever touch his genius.”
– Chevy Chase

“Seeing Richard Pryor on video tape for the first time just blew the top of my head off. I was like… look what this guy can do. Here's a twelve year old white kid watching Richard Pryor, not understanding it, but thinking… this is important, I don't know what this means yet, but this looks important.”
– Adam Ferrara

“For me, Richard represents the pinnacle of brilliant monologue – straight-up comedy and a dramatic flair that not even the best of the best can touch. In my opinion, Richard Pryor is the single greatest comic of my lifetime.”
– Whoopi Goldberg

“(His recordings…) lit the creative spark in me, which still burns to this day. The discovery of these timeless performances led me to realize what I am. Richard Pryor is truly one of the great artists of our time. His comic genius and influence remain unparalleled.”
– Eddie Murphy

“Richard Pryor's comedy is a mirror, a statement, a social commentary, and an explanation of a condition. Richard Pryor is a giant of American comedy… There are two periods of comedy in America: before Richard Pryor and after Richard Pryor.”
– Paul Rodriguez

“Richard Pryor is the greatest stand-up who ever lived. He opened the biggest door and turned the light on in the room.”
– Roseanne

“When I was a kid nothing gave me more pleasure than waiting for my parents to leave the house so I could listen to a Richard Pryor album. I didn't know it then, but by listening to those albums, I was preparing myself for what I'm doing today. If I hadn't listened to Richard as a kid, I'm sure I'd still be a comedian – the only difference is I'd really suck.
Richard Pryor is the greatest comedian of all time.”
– Chris Rock

“By telling the truth about his pain, Richard held a mirror up to society, and we were able to see our fears, our beauty, our prejudice, our wretchedness, our hopes, our dreams – all of our contradictions. What other man has no secrets? Richard Pryor shared all of his. He is truly the greatest comedian of our time.”
– Damon Wayans

“Richard is the master of open-soul surgery, cutting right to the bone.”
– Robin Williams

troy2000 · 12-11-2005, 10:26 AM

None of the news stories lists "moving" as one of his movies. I've always thought it was a mini-classic.

Big Dog · 12-11-2005, 06:53 PM

He also starred in a movie (the Title escapes me) in which he played the role of the first black stock car racer. A true story IIRC. That was a good movie!
We listened to his tapes in my younger days.
His stories of the old voodoo woman giving his buddy "little tiny feets!" was hilarious, as was the story of the old man driving a tractor across the county.
I didn't care for his stand-up, but his stories were classics.

12-11-2005, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Dog

He also starred in a movie (the Title escapes me) in which he played the role of the first black stock car racer. A true story IIRC. That was a good movie!

"Greased Lightning"
Synopsis:
Michael Schultz directs this charming bio-drama about America’s first black stock car racing champion. Richard Pryor plays Wendell Scott, a wide-eyed young man who has always loved the thrill of speed. After marrying the gorgeous Mary (Pam Grier), Wendell begins to sell bootleg moonshine with his partner Pee Wee (Cleavon Little). But when Sheriff Cotton (Vincent Gardinia) finally tracks him down, a business proposition keeps him out of the slammer. more »

MPAA Rating: PG

Runtime: 1 hour, 36 minutes

Outriderdark · 12-12-2005, 12:18 AM

Wasn't a big fan but I respect his role as an envelope pusher.
I've always been a Kinison type of guy.

12-12-2005, 07:14 AM

Kinison was funny but he's been dead for a really long time

Outriderdark · 12-12-2005, 07:16 AM

Kinison's dead? Gddmn it.

LOL I know, BP.

Stopper · 12-12-2005, 10:53 AM

I loved his story about his dogs that would hump anything, legs, cats etc...

Then he got his kid a shetland pony, the little dog asked the big dog what the "H" is that?
The big dog said - I don't know, but I'm gonna hump it!!!!!

Loved his albums.

Shaun · 12-13-2005, 12:23 AM

he was a good comic but he pickled himself with the drugs and after that was when I lost interest with his stuff.

12-11-2005, 09:25 AM	#1
Logansdad Guest Posts: n/a	Richard Pryor Died Yesterday Richard Pryor 1940 - 2005 Richard Pryor, the stand-up who arguably made likely the three funniest concert films ever committed to celluloid, passed away on Saturday morning at age 65. According to Reuter's website Pryor died of cardiac arrest at 7:58 a.m. after he was taken to a hospital in the Los Angeles suburb of Encino. Pryor had been suffering from multiple sclerosis, a degenerative nervous system disease, for almost 20 years. Considered by many to be one of the greatest stand up comedians who ever lived, he successfully managed to bring humour that normally stayed within the African American community into a wider, international forum, a quality shared by other great comedians like Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock. Pryor's comedy was perhaps more trailblazing and influential than any of them; for him, nothing was off limits. Racism was a major component of his routine and he even joked about a 1980 incident in which he nearly died after setting himself on fire while free-basing cocaine. Aside from his stand up performances, Pryor also proved a hit in the cinema. His breakthrough role came in the 1976 Gene Wilder comedy Silver Streak and the pair formed an unlikely partnership that saw them light up the screen together on several occasions. with starring roles in Blue Collar, Stir Crazy, The Toy and Superman III.. Perhaps his most enduring contribution to cinema may end up being 1974’s comedy classic Blazing Saddles, which he co-wrote with Mel Brooks, Andrew Bergman, Norman Steinberg and Alan Uger. His film CV also lists Lady Sings The Blues, Uptown Saturday Night, Car Wash and The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings. Already severely ill, Pryor's last big-screen appearance was in a truly great film, David Lynch's 1997 brain-twister Lost Highway.

12-11-2005, 09:35 AM	#2
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 11,199 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	Seen that yester day. granted he wasn't a model citizen, but he was good at his craft. Always exposed to his stuff. Him being from my home town probably had a bit to do ith it. __________________ Joe the plumber is screwed

12-11-2005, 06:53 PM	#5
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,412	He also starred in a movie (the Title escapes me) in which he played the role of the first black stock car racer. A true story IIRC. That was a good movie! We listened to his tapes in my younger days. His stories of the old voodoo woman giving his buddy "little tiny feets!" was hilarious, as was the story of the old man driving a tractor across the county. I didn't care for his stand-up, but his stories were classics. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

12-12-2005, 12:18 AM	#7
Outriderdark Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 1,125	Wasn't a big fan but I respect his role as an envelope pusher. I've always been a Kinison type of guy. __________________ "Would it make you feel better, little girl, if they was thrown outta windows?"-Archie Bunker

12-12-2005, 07:16 AM	#9
Outriderdark Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 1,125	Kinison's dead? Gddmn it. LOL I know, BP. __________________ "Would it make you feel better, little girl, if they was thrown outta windows?"-Archie Bunker

12-11-2005, 09:46 AM	#3
Logansdad Guest Posts: n/a	“Richard will never be equaled for his depth of exploration into character during a period of war, civil rights issues, drugs, and political corruption. He was never a ‘joke-teller’; he was a performer of the caliber of (Thelonious) Monk, (Miles) Davis, Lenny Bruce… There was one, and only one, stand-up comic who covered this period (the '60s) and these experiences for me… with his jazz-like approach… Richard is the consummate comic/jazz artist, and no one will ever touch his genius.” – Chevy Chase “Seeing Richard Pryor on video tape for the first time just blew the top of my head off. I was like… look what this guy can do. Here's a twelve year old white kid watching Richard Pryor, not understanding it, but thinking… this is important, I don't know what this means yet, but this looks important.” – Adam Ferrara “For me, Richard represents the pinnacle of brilliant monologue – straight-up comedy and a dramatic flair that not even the best of the best can touch. In my opinion, Richard Pryor is the single greatest comic of my lifetime.” – Whoopi Goldberg “(His recordings…) lit the creative spark in me, which still burns to this day. The discovery of these timeless performances led me to realize what I am. Richard Pryor is truly one of the great artists of our time. His comic genius and influence remain unparalleled.” – Eddie Murphy “Richard Pryor's comedy is a mirror, a statement, a social commentary, and an explanation of a condition. Richard Pryor is a giant of American comedy… There are two periods of comedy in America: before Richard Pryor and after Richard Pryor.” – Paul Rodriguez “Richard Pryor is the greatest stand-up who ever lived. He opened the biggest door and turned the light on in the room.” – Roseanne “When I was a kid nothing gave me more pleasure than waiting for my parents to leave the house so I could listen to a Richard Pryor album. I didn't know it then, but by listening to those albums, I was preparing myself for what I'm doing today. If I hadn't listened to Richard as a kid, I'm sure I'd still be a comedian – the only difference is I'd really suck. Richard Pryor is the greatest comedian of all time.” – Chris Rock “By telling the truth about his pain, Richard held a mirror up to society, and we were able to see our fears, our beauty, our prejudice, our wretchedness, our hopes, our dreams – all of our contradictions. What other man has no secrets? Richard Pryor shared all of his. He is truly the greatest comedian of our time.” – Damon Wayans “Richard is the master of open-soul surgery, cutting right to the bone.” – Robin Williams

12-11-2005, 10:26 AM	#4
troy2000 Resident Armed Liberal Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 10,017 Images: 9	None of the news stories lists "moving" as one of his movies. I've always thought it was a mini-classic.

12-12-2005, 07:14 AM	#8
Logansdad Guest Posts: n/a	Kinison was funny but he's been dead for a really long time

12-12-2005, 10:53 AM	#10
Stopper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kansass Posts: 2,212 Images: 1	I loved his story about his dogs that would hump anything, legs, cats etc... Then he got his kid a shetland pony, the little dog asked the big dog what the "H" is that? The big dog said - I don't know, but I'm gonna hump it!!!!! Loved his albums. __________________ They should have stopped at "Congress shall make no law"

12-13-2005, 12:23 AM	#11
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,619 Images: 1	he was a good comic but he pickled himself with the drugs and after that was when I lost interest with his stuff. __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/