Richard Pryor (1940 - 2005)
COMEDIAN, WRITER, ACTOR

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Richard Pryor used language as a weapon to draw attention to social issues, creating comedy from stories of pain & tragedy.


The son of a hustler and a prostitute, Pryor grew up in a brothel surrounded by crime. His performances confronted the realities of racism, addiction & mass incarceration.

 

Speaking directly and honestly about life on the streets, Richard Pryor rose from poverty to become one of the top entertainers of the 70’s and 80’s.