i can't believe this....


--gm--

GeneMohawk said:

Pathbreaking Comedian Richard Pryor Dies By JEREMIAH MARQUEZ, Associated Press Writer
1 minute ago



LOS ANGELES - Richard Pryor, the caustic yet perceptive actor-comedian who lived dangerously close to the edge both on stage and off, has died, his ex-wife said Saturday. He was 65.

Pryor died of a heart attack at his home in the San Fernando Valley sometime late Friday or early Saturday, Flyn Pryor said. He had been ill for years with multiple sclerosis, a degenerative disease of the nervous system.

The comedian was regarded early in his career as one of the most foul-mouthed comics in the business, but he gained a wide following for his expletive-filled but universal and frequently personal insights into modern life and race relations.

His audacious style influenced an array of stand-up artists, including Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall and Damon Wayans, as well as Robin Williams, David Letterman and others.

A series of hit comedies in the '70s and '80s, as well as filmed versions of his concert performances, helped make him Pryor one of the highest paid stars in Hollywood. He was one of the first black performers to have enough leverage to cut his own Hollywood deals. In 1983, he signed a $40 million, five-year contract with Columbia Pictures.

His films included "Stir Crazy," "Silver Streak," "Which Way Is Up?" and "Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip."

Natisse said:

co-signed

thanks for the laughter

we'll miss your ass richard.. u was the funniest mutha fucka on earth as i sit here and tears flowin down my face, you were and still are and inspiration to me and many other young comedians and you are now with freddie,Redd,Nipsey

R.I.P Richard Pryor, we'll all miss you

I just turned to CNN and the news just broke. I'm just speechless. Lots of comedians and entertainers are sharing their stories and sentiments. He was, is, and will always be a legend. Dang it pretty much sums up the year of suprising passings.

I just heard it. A few mintes ago.

This is hard. Goodbye Richard.

oh FUCK

Godspeed...and thankyou Richard

For the Master...








From the funniest movie he ever made...



...Which Way Is Up?







...Goodbye Richard Pryor, The Greatest of All-Time



Always keep some sunshine on your face.
~Mudbone



tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431
[Edited 12/10/05 14:51pm]

oh my goodness...

A true legend and poineer has passed.
One thing that always gets overlooked is that, aside form his stand up and movies, he co-wrote the hilarious "Blazing Saddles"

8 years ago, I went to see Pryor do comedy on the Sunset Strip.
He came on after 3 hours of drinks and comedians who could never hope to acheive a tenth of what he did.
He did a 15 minute set in a wheelchair, mumbling through half of it, then asked to be taken off the stage.
No matter. The good will in the room was palpable. Everyone was just thrilled to see him.
Afterwards, folks lined up to shake his hand as het sat in the back of the room, a couple of bodygaurds on either side.
We all wanted to thank him for his genius, and tell him what a joy it was to see him.

RIP, Motherfucker!

fuckity fuck fuck!!!!!

I know Eddie Murphy is gonna be heart broken. Richard Proyor was the funniest comedian to step foot on stage. Many other comedians often copied Richard but they were never or come close to Richard. R.I.P and God Bless Rich

Richard Pryor was an intense man whose complex personality led him both to groundbreaking success and abject adversity. He did not die as much he was delivered from his painful condition, which had left him the shadow of the man who brought enlightment through groundbreaking stand up comedy. It is fair to say that he did as much for racial harmony as anyone else, by daring to express his blackness aggressively when the industry liked its black men safe and non threatening. He brought the anger to the stage and expressed it through an highly personal comedy style that made you laugh and think at the same time. He got the discussion going and it's still going on with the legions of comedians he has inspired and influenced. You can only name a few comedians that had a real social impact in terms of the themes they covered, and Richard Pryor is at the top of the list, plain and simple, for the voice he gave to what so many were feeling.
[Edited 12/10/05 15:23pm]

True genius thankyou Richard.

What a life.....what a legacy.....that's how you do it...leave a mark that one can take away from you.


RIP Richard!!!!!

Oh no... This is sad

I remember this line of him...(maybe not so appropiate but ..) 'I had a dick so hard it could split a diamond'

R.I.P. Mr Pryor!

Aerogram said:

that's so beautiful

TheRealFiness said:

I'm crying too

CreamyThighs said:

Anyone who has ever laughed or thought about laughing will miss you Richard. Your presence and importance is larger than life. We will all miss you.

GeneMohawk said:

[b]THANK YOU Richard....thanx for the MANY years of laughter!!
Rest ...and enjoy your next destiney!!!!![/b]
[Edited 12/10/05 16:38pm]

My sympathy and love goes out to his family and friends. He was a man who brought people of many ethnic, social and economic backgrounds together under the umbrella of laughter. He was his "own man". Richard Pryor evolved and shifted the comedic genre.
He was unafraid to speak on topics that many considered taboo, in doing so he brought subjects out in a unique,funny and real way.
I imagine if he would have been part of a piano, he would have been a note between the keys, i.e; he made people stop and listen.
He lived hard, and he loved hard and i thank him for giving (me and) many people the freedom and uninhibited energy to "laugh hard".

Perhaps he is now entertaining the "God(s)" and giving them time for long needed laughter.
[Edited 12/10/05 16:45pm]

from somebody who had such a crap start in life he was genius to turn it around and use it as comedy that cracked us up
[Edited 12/10/05 17:42pm]

Gosh, he was the funniest ever!!! I have to say, "Which Way is Up" is one of those movies that you just don't forget about. Whenever I know i want a laugh, that is one my choices that pops into my head. He was the Greatest.

he had been through so much in his life, he was often troubled and did horrible things to himself, so i guess now, he is peacefully resting.....

He deserves much respect for his genius. A legend.
[Edited 12/10/05 17:36pm]