Richard Pryor

Served with U.S. army, 1958-1960.

Father, Buck Carter (aka LeRoy Pryor), was a bartender, boxer and WWII Veteran, who died in 1968 when Richard was 28.

Pryor was originally slated to play Bart in Blazing Saddles (1974). Due to Pryor's background and controversial stand-up routines, Mel Brooks couldn't secure financing for the project. Brooks made Pryor a co-writer, and Cleavon Little played Bart.

Claimed to have seen the film The Man in the Glass Booth (1975) 40 times. His future wife Jennifer Lee had a role in the film.

Suffered a mild heart attack in November 1977.

He was invited to a private screening of Animal House (1978) by director 'John Landis (I)', who wanted Pryor's opinion about the scene at the black roadhouse. Landis and the film's backers were concerned that it would be offensive to black audiences. Pryor laughed out loud, and told them that it should definitely be kept in the movie.

Has admitted the fire that nearly killed him while free-basing cocaine in the early 1980s was in fact a suicide attempt. His management created the "accident" lie for the press in hopes of protecting him.

Was originally to co-star with Gene Wilder in Hanky Panky (1982) but backed out. His part went to Gilda Radner.

Was originally considered for the role of Billy Ray Valentine on Trading Places (1983), before Eddie Murphy ultimately won the part.

Appeared in Superman III (1983), the only film in the series in which Lex Luthor does not appear. However, he did eventually get to work with an on-screen Lex Luthor, by appearing in See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) with Kevin Spacey.

Admitted that he did Superman III (1983) and The Toy (1982) purely for the money.

Suffered from Multiple Sclerosis from 1986 until his death in 2005.

In 1990, he suffered a massive heart attack and underwent triple bypass surgery.

Awarded The First Annual Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize. [1999]

Reunited with fourth wife, Jennifer Lee. [2001]

In 2002, Sheridan Road, on the south side of Peoria, was renamed Richard Pryor Place.

Chosen as #1 in Comedy Central's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time. (April 2004).

One of his limo drivers was Freddy Soto, who later went became a stand-up comedian. He also died in 2005.