Thursday, December 1, 2022

The Ground Breaker : Richard Pryor Born December 1, 1940



Richard Pryor was the most influential and groundbreaking comedian of all time, a performer and writer who shattered stereotypes and boundaries. Pryor survived a youth of violence and abuse and cultural racism. Pryor used all of that history to create his stage performances and writing. Live on stage his comedy was profane and socially astute, provoking thought as well as laughter. As a writer, he earned an Emmy, in addition to five Grammy Awards for his comedy albums. A veteran of more than 40 feature films Pryor survived a debilitating drug addiction, in fact, he nearly died after lighting himself on fire while he "freebased" cocaine in 1980. To the astonishment of many, recovered and went on to become one of the biggest movie stars of the day in films like "Stir Crazy" (1980) and "Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip" (1982). Unfortunately, the effects of multiple sclerosis began to erode his once formidable ability, beginning in 1986 and ultimately debilitating the comedian by the end of the decade. Cited as a major influence by the likes of Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock, Pryor not only expanded the definition of comedy, but also the social and racial boundaries that had previously defined its audience. 

 

No comments:

Post a Comment