Black History: Richard Pryor

Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor III (December 1, 1940 – December 10, 2005) was an actor, writer, MC, and highly recognized as the greatest stand-up comedian of all time.
Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful, vulgar and profane language, he reached a broad audience with his trenchant observations and storytelling style. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential stand-up comedians of his era: Jerry Seinfeld called Pryor "The Picasso of our profession"; Bob Newhart has called Pryor "the seminal comedian of the last 50 years".

His body of work include countless standup comedy movies and recordings as well as numerous films that he starred in as an actor, such as Superman III (1983) but was usually in comedies such as Silver Streak (1976), or Harlem Nights (1989) which was a financial success, grossing 3½ times the amount it cost to make it (worldwide) and is well known for starring three generations of black comedians (Pryor, Murphy, and Redd Foxx).

Pryor won an Emmy Award in 1973, and five Grammy Awards in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1981, and 1982. In 1974, he also won two American Academy of Humor awards and the Writers Guild of America Award. Pryor is listed at number one on Comedy Central's list of all-time greatest stand-up comedians.

by @Jetsetting_Ju