Richard Pryor

Best known as an Actor based on credits in that role in 26 films, with $824,438,235 worldwide aggregate box office (rank #4,931)
Best-known acting roles: Harry Monroe (Stir Crazy), Sugar Ray (Harlem Nights), Wallace "Wally" Karue (See No Evil, Hear No Evil), Gus Gorman (Superman III), Balloon Vendor (The Muppet Movie)
Best-known technical roles: Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (Story Creator), Blazing Saddles (Screenwriter), Bustin' Loose (Producer), Bustin' Loose (Story Creator), Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling (Director)
Born: December 1, 1940
Died: December 10, 2005
                                    

  1. Summary
  2. News
  3. Acting Credits
  4. Technical Credits

Career Summary


  MoviesDomestic
Box Office
International
Box Office
Worldwide
Box Office
As an ActorLeading6$245,033,640$40,000,000$285,033,640
Supporting3$45,541,217$45,028$45,586,245
Cameo1$76,657,000$0$76,657,000
Lead Ensemble Member1$42,913,571$0$42,913,571
Documentary Subject1$0$0$0
(Unclassified)14$353,998,402$20,249,377$374,247,779
In Technical RolesScreenwriter2$137,534,150$603$137,534,753
Story Creator2$49,072,382$22,354,756$71,427,138
Producer1$31,261,000$0$31,261,000
Director1$18,034,150$0$18,034,150

Career Trend

This graph shows Richard Pryor’s score on our annual analysis of leading stars at the box office. The Star Score represents points assigned to each of the leading stars of the top 100 movies (based on box office) in the current year and two preceding years. For appearing in the number one movie in a year a star gets 100 points, the number two movie 99 points and so on..

Latest Ranking on Selected Box Office Record Lists


RecordRankAmount
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 701-800) 774 $287,947,211
Top Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,701-1,800) 1,716 $764,143,830
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the International Box Office (Rank 2,401-2,500) 2,464 $40,000,000
Top Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 28,001-28,100) 28,045 $60,294,405
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,201-1,300) 1,232 $327,947,211
Top Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 4,901-5,000) 4,931 $824,438,235
Top Grossing Director at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,701-1,800) 1,728 $18,034,150
Top Grossing Producer at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 2,101-2,200) 2,176 $31,261,000
Top Grossing Screenwriter at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 901-1,000) 910 $137,534,150
Top Grossing Story Creator at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,201-1,300) 1,220 $49,072,382
Top Grossing Screenwriter at the International Box Office (Rank 8,301-8,400) 8,348 $603
Top Grossing Story Creator at the International Box Office (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,514 $22,354,756
Top Grossing Director at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 2,601-2,700) 2,668 $18,034,150
Top Grossing Producer at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 2,901-3,000) 2,953 $31,261,000
Top Grossing Screenwriter at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,536 $137,534,753
Top Grossing Story Creator at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,301-1,400) 1,365 $71,427,138

See the Acting Credits tab for all Acting Box Office Records and the Technical Credits tab for all Technical Box Office Records.


Featured Blu-ray Review: The Muppet Movie

August 11th, 2013

The Muppet Movie came out 34 years ago, which makes it a little strange they are releasing a 35th Anniversary edition Blu-ray this week. Then again, I'm glad I don't have to wait another year to get this movie on Blu-ray, because I loved it as a kid. Does it still hold up decades later? And is the Blu-ray worth picking up if you are a fan of the movie? More...

All Acting Credits



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Release
Date
TitleRoleDomestic
Box Office
International
Box Office
Worldwide
Box Office
Mar 19, 2019I Am Richard Pryor Himself
May 6, 2003Car Wash
Feb 21, 1997Lost Highway Arnie $3,814,727$45,028$3,859,755
Nov 8, 1996Mad Dog Time Jimmie the grave … $80,026$80,026
Jul 26, 1991Another You Eddie Dash $2,697,777$2,697,777
Nov 17, 1989Harlem Nights Sugar Ray $60,857,262$35,000,000$95,857,262
May 12, 1989See No Evil, Hear No Evil Wallace "Wally" K… $46,900,000$46,900,000
Mar 4, 1988Moving Arlo Pear $10,815,378$10,815,378
Jan 16, 1987Critical Condition Eddie/Kevin $20,240,502$20,240,502
May 2, 1986Jo Jo Dancer, Your Lif… Jo Jo Dancer/Alte… $18,034,150$18,034,150
May 22, 1985Brewster's Millions Montgomery Brewster $40,800,000$5,000,000$45,800,000
Oct 28, 1983Richard Pryor Here and… Himself $16,156,776$16,156,776
Jun 17, 1983Superman III Gus Gorman $59,950,623$20,249,377$80,200,000
Dec 10, 1982The Toy Jack Brown $47,118,057$47,118,057
Apr 2, 1982Some Kind of Hero Corporal Eddie Ke… $20,400,486$20,400,486
Mar 12, 1982Richard Pryor Live on … Himself $34,970,309$34,970,309
May 22, 1981Bustin' Loose Joe Braxton $31,261,000$31,261,000
Dec 12, 1980Stir Crazy Harry Monroe $101,300,000$101,300,000
Sep 26, 1980In God We Tru$t G.O.D. $5,215,015$5,215,015
Jun 13, 1980Wholly Moses! Pharaoh $14,155,617$14,155,617
Jun 22, 1979The Muppet Movie Balloon Vendor $76,657,000$76,657,000
Dec 15, 1978California Suite Dr. Chauncey Gump $42,913,571$42,913,571
Oct 24, 1978The Wiz The Wiz $22,000,000$22,000,000
1977Which Way Is Up? Leroy Jones/Rufus… $17,000,000$17,000,000
Dec 3, 1976Silver Streak Grover Muldoon $51,079,064$51,079,064
Oct 20, 1972Lady Sings the Blues Piano Man $19,726,490$19,726,490
 
Averages $31,839,326$15,073,601$34,351,593
Totals 26 $764,143,830$60,294,405$824,438,235


Leading or Lead Ensemble Roles


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Release
Date
TitleOpening
Weekend
Maximum
Theaters
Domestic
Box Office
Worldwide
Box Office
Domestic
Share
May 6, 2003Car Wash
Nov 17, 1989Harlem Nights $16,096,8082,180$60,857,262$95,857,26263.5%
Mar 4, 1988Moving $4,022,7821,404$10,815,378$10,815,378100.0%
May 22, 1985Brewster's Millions $9,858,9051,521$40,800,000$45,800,00089.1%
May 22, 1981Bustin' Loose $4,798,289833$31,261,000$31,261,000100.0%
Dec 12, 1980Stir Crazy $8,691,886813$101,300,000$101,300,000100.0%
Dec 15, 1978California Suite $42,913,571$42,913,571100.0%
 
Averages $8,693,7341,350$47,991,202$54,657,86992.1%
Totals 7 $287,947,211$327,947,211


Supporting Roles


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Release
Date
TitleOpening
Weekend
Maximum
Theaters
Domestic
Box Office
Worldwide
Box Office
Domestic
Share
Feb 21, 1997Lost Highway $212,710337$3,814,727$3,859,75598.8%
Oct 24, 1978The Wiz $22,000,000$22,000,000100.0%
Oct 20, 1972Lady Sings the Blues $19,726,490$19,726,490100.0%
 
Averages $212,710337$15,180,406$15,195,41599.6%
Totals 3 $45,541,217$45,586,245

Latest Ranking on All Acting Box Office Record Lists


RecordRankAmount
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 701-800) 774 $287,947,211
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 32,401-32,500) 32,454 $45,541,217
Top Live Action Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,601-1,700) 1,653 $687,486,830
Top Above the Line Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,201-1,300) 1,287 $406,330,701
Top Below the Line Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 52,401-52,500) 52,451 $3,814,727
Top Stars in Cameo Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 601-700) 629 $76,657,000
Top Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,701-1,800) 1,716 $764,143,830
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the International Box Office (Rank 2,401-2,500) 2,464 $40,000,000
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the International Box Office (Rank 59,701-59,800) 59,794 $45,028
Top Live Action Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 25,601-25,700) 25,699 $60,294,405
Top Above the Line Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 5,101-5,200) 5,142 $40,000,000
Top Below the Line Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 53,601-53,700) 53,659 $45,028
Top Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 28,001-28,100) 28,045 $60,294,405
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,201-1,300) 1,232 $327,947,211
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 41,601-41,700) 41,605 $45,586,245
Top Live Action Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 4,801-4,900) 4,857 $747,781,235
Top Above the Line Stars at the Wordwide Box Office (Rank 2,201-2,300) 2,214 $446,330,701
Top Below the Line Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 54,601-54,700) 54,629 $3,859,755
Top Stars in Cameo Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 801-900) 849 $76,657,000
Top Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 4,901-5,000) 4,931 $824,438,235
Highest Grossing Stars of 1980 at the Domestic Box Office 10 188
Highest Grossing Stars of 1981 at the Domestic Box Office 12 177
Highest Grossing Stars of 1982 at the Domestic Box Office 10 177
Highest Grossing Stars of 1983 at the Domestic Box Office 73 79
Highest Grossing Stars of 1985 at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200) 122 80
Highest Grossing Stars of 1986 at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200) 126 80
Highest Grossing Stars of 1987 at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200) 126 80
Highest Grossing Stars of 1988 at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 201-300) 209 18
Highest Grossing Stars of 1989 at the Domestic Box Office 70 98
Highest Grossing Stars of 1990 at the Domestic Box Office 63 98
Highest Grossing Stars of 1991 at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200) 107 80
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 401-500) 404 $247,147,211
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 701-800) 717 $40,800,000
Top International Leading Stars for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,570 $35,000,000
Top International Leading Stars for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 1,101-1,200) 1,126 $5,000,000
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 701-800) 727 $282,147,211
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 908 $45,800,000
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 501-600) 531 $287,947,211
Top International Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 1,901-2,000) 1,965 $40,000,000
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 801-900) 865 $327,947,211
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 301-400) 386 $227,089,949
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 301-400) 325 $60,857,262
Top International Leading Stars for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 2,401-2,500) 2,484 $5,000,000
Top International Leading Stars for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 501-600) 514 $35,000,000
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 601-700) 668 $232,089,949
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 401-500) 409 $95,857,262
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Comedy Movies (Rank 101-200) 136 $287,947,211
Top International Leading Stars for Comedy Movies (Rank 401-500) 500 $40,000,000
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Comedy Movies (Rank 101-200) 188 $327,947,211
Top Domestic Leading Stars for R Movies (Rank 301-400) 309 $172,972,640
Top Domestic Leading Stars for PG Movies (Rank 601-700) 663 $83,713,571
Top International Leading Stars for R Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 954 $35,000,000
Top International Leading Stars for PG Movies (Rank 1,201-1,300) 1,254 $5,000,000
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for R Movies (Rank 501-600) 511 $207,972,640
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for PG Movies (Rank 801-900) 899 $88,713,571
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Warner Bros. Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 994 $10,815,378
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Universal Movies (Rank 301-400) 371 $72,061,000
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Paramount Pictures Movies (Rank 401-500) 406 $60,857,262
Top International Leading Stars for Universal Movies (Rank 601-700) 664 $5,000,000
Top International Leading Stars for Paramount Pictures Movies (Rank 401-500) 436 $35,000,000
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Warner Bros. Movies (Rank 1,001-1,100) 1,032 $10,815,378
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Universal Movies (Rank 501-600) 528 $77,061,000
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Paramount Pictures Movies (Rank 401-500) 451 $95,857,262

All Technical Credits



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Release
Date
TitleRoleDomestic
Box Office
International
Box Office
Worldwide
Box Office
Jul 15, 2022Paws of Fury: The Legend of… Story Creator $17,811,382$22,354,756$40,166,138
May 2, 1986Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is … Director
Screenwriter
$18,034,150$18,034,150
May 22, 1981Bustin' Loose Producer
Story by
$31,261,000$31,261,000
Feb 7, 1974Blazing Saddles Screenwriter $119,500,000$603$119,500,603
 
Averages $46,651,633$11,177,680$52,240,473
Totals 4 $186,606,532$22,355,359$208,961,891


Director Credits


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Release
Date
TitleOpening
Weekend
Maximum
Theaters
Domestic
Box Office
Worldwide
Box Office
Domestic
Share
May 2, 1986Jo Jo Dancer, Your Lif… $4,879,1071,203$18,034,150$18,034,150100.0%
 
Averages $4,879,1071,203$18,034,150$18,034,150100.0%
Totals 1 $18,034,150$18,034,150


Producer Credits


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Release
Date
TitleOpening
Weekend
Maximum
Theaters
Domestic
Box Office
Worldwide
Box Office
Domestic
Share
May 22, 1981Bustin' Loose $4,798,289833$31,261,000$31,261,000100.0%
 
Averages $4,798,289833$31,261,000$31,261,000100.0%
Totals 1 $31,261,000$31,261,000


Writer Credits


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Release
Date
TitleOpening
Weekend
Maximum
Theaters
Domestic
Box Office
Worldwide
Box Office
Domestic
Share
Jul 15, 2022Paws of Fury: The Lege… $6,321,4233,481$17,811,382$40,166,13844.3%
May 2, 1986Jo Jo Dancer, Your Lif… $4,879,1071,203$18,034,150$18,034,150100.0%
May 22, 1981Bustin' Loose $4,798,289833$31,261,000$31,261,000100.0%
Feb 7, 1974Blazing Saddles $119,500,000$119,500,603100.0%
 
Averages $5,332,9401,839$46,651,633$52,240,47386.1%
Totals 4 $186,606,532$208,961,891