Richard Pryor Biography

Fast Facts

• After visiting Africa in 1979, he announced that he would no long use the word 'n****r' in his stand-up routines
• Awarded the first-ever Mark Twain Prize by the Kennedy Center in 1998
• After years of drumming in local clubs as a teen, he began formally acting on stage in 1963 after moving to New York City for big names such as Bob Dylan, Woody Allen and Nina Simone
• Quote: "Comedy rules! Don't let anybody tell you otherwise, and there are no rules in stand-up comedy, which I really like․ You can do anything you want and you can say anything that comes to mind - just as long as it's funny․"
• Quote: "I live in racist America and I'm uneducated, yet a lot of people love me and like what I do and I can make a living from it․ You can't do must better than that․"
• Began writing for television comedy series in the 1970s which would eventually include "Sanford and Son", "The Flip Wilson Show" and his own sitcom, "The Richard Pryor Show" that debuted in 1977 on NBC
• Gained mainstream success after moving to California in the late '60s and signed a comedy album contract with Laff Records and later Stax Records
• Accidentally set himself on fire after reportedly freebasing cocaine and downing 151-proof rum at his California home in 1980 which resulted in a six-week stint in physical rehab to care for the burns suffered on more than half of his body
• Invited to a private screening of "Animal House" by director John Landis who sought his opinion about the potentially offensive African American nightclub scene, however, he thoroughly enjoyed the scene and said to keep it in the final cut
• Was the first guest host as well as African American host on "Saturday Night Live" during season one