By:By:Devaughn GrayDevaughn Gray

AchievementsAchievements Richard Pryor Richard Pryor

Born December 1, 1940, Richard Franklin Born December 1, 1940, Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor III became one of Lennox Thomas Pryor III became one of the most influential comedians in the the most influential comedians in the history of comedy. Few comics today will history of comedy. Few comics today will talk about their own careers without talk about their own careers without mentioning the inspiration they received mentioning the inspiration they received from Pryor. from Pryor.

Richard PryorRichard Pryor In 1966, Pryor penetrated the medium of In 1966, Pryor penetrated the medium of

television, appearing in summer shows television, appearing in summer shows such as Rudy Vallee's On such as Rudy Vallee's On Broadway Broadway TonightTonight and the and the Kraft Summer Music HallKraft Summer Music Hall. . These appearances, as well as several on These appearances, as well as several on the the Ed Sullivan ShowEd Sullivan Show, and the Johnny , and the Johnny Carson and Merv Griffin shows brought Carson and Merv Griffin shows brought Las Vegas calling. Las Vegas calling.

Richard PryorRichard PryorYears before Eddie Murphy became the Years before Eddie Murphy became the

Klumps, Pryor took on three roles in the Klumps, Pryor took on three roles in the movie movie Which Way Is UpWhich Way Is Up, appearing as a , appearing as a young man and his father as well as the young man and his father as well as the wayward minister Lennox Thomas. In wayward minister Lennox Thomas. In 1983, Pryor was paid $4 million (a 1983, Pryor was paid $4 million (a unprecedented amount for a black actor unprecedented amount for a black actor and a million more than the film's star and a million more than the film's star Christopher Reeve) for his role as Christopher Reeve) for his role as accomplice to the villain in accomplice to the villain in Superman IIISuperman III. .

Richard PryorRichard Pryor He turned to films, starring in He turned to films, starring in The Busy BodyThe Busy Body

with Sid Caesar, and the classic with Sid Caesar, and the classic Wild in the Wild in the StreetsStreets, and released his first album, Richard , and released his first album, Richard Pryor. More movies followed, including Pryor. More movies followed, including Lady Lady Sings the BluesSings the Blues, which earned him strong notice , which earned him strong notice as Billie Holliday's drug-addicted piano player. In as Billie Holliday's drug-addicted piano player. In all, Pryor, who in 1980 formed his own all, Pryor, who in 1980 formed his own production company, Indigo (under the banner of production company, Indigo (under the banner of Columbia Pictures), appeared in almost 50 Columbia Pictures), appeared in almost 50 movies, including several with Gene Wilder and movies, including several with Gene Wilder and the autobiographical the autobiographical Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is CallingCalling. .