Richard Pryor

Best known as an Actor based on credits in that role in 26 films, with $824,443,407 worldwide aggregate box office (rank #5,101)

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), Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip (Screenwriter), Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip (Producer), Bustin' Loose (Producer)

Born: December 1, 1940

Died: December 10, 2005

Summary
News
Acting Credits
Technical Credits

Career Summary

		Movies	Domestic Box Office	International Box Office	Worldwide Box Office
As an Actor	Leading	6	$245,033,640	$40,000,000	$285,033,640
	Supporting	3	$45,541,217	$50,200	$45,591,417
	Lead Ensemble Member	2	$57,069,188	$0	$57,069,188
	Cameo	1	$76,657,000	$0	$76,657,000
	Documentary Subject	1	$0	$0	$0
	(Unclassified)	13	$339,842,785	$20,249,377	$360,092,162
In Technical Roles	Screenwriter	3	$172,882,648	$1,181	$172,883,829
	Producer	2	$66,231,309	$0	$66,231,309
	Story Creator	2	$49,072,382	$22,354,756	$71,427,138
	Director	2	$34,190,926	$0	$34,190,926

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

Record	Rank	Amount
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 701-800)	796	$302,102,828
Top Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,701-1,800)	1,779	$764,143,830
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the International Box Office (Rank 2,901-3,000)	2,925	$40,000,000
Top Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 28,801-28,900)	28,805	$60,299,577
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,301-1,400)	1,304	$342,102,828
Top Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 5,101-5,200)	5,101	$824,443,407
Top Grossing Director at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,301-1,400)	1,367	$34,190,926
Top Grossing Producer at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,501-1,600)	1,552	$66,231,309
Top Grossing Screenwriter at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 801-900)	810	$172,882,648
Top Grossing Story Creator at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,301-1,400)	1,305	$49,072,382
Top Grossing Screenwriter at the International Box Office (Rank 9,401-9,500)	9,467	$1,181
Top Grossing Story Creator at the International Box Office (Rank 1,601-1,700)	1,696	$22,354,756
Top Grossing Director at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 2,101-2,200)	2,196	$34,190,926
Top Grossing Producer at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 2,301-2,400)	2,316	$66,231,309
Top Grossing Screenwriter at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,501-1,600)	1,532	$172,883,829
Top Grossing Story Creator at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,401-1,500)	1,474	$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

Release Date	Title	Role	Domestic Box Office	International Box Office	Worldwide Box Office
Mar 19, 2019	I Am Richard Pryor	Himself
May 6, 2003	Car Wash
Feb 21, 1997	Lost Highway	Arnie	$3,814,727	$50,200	$3,864,927
Nov 8, 1996	Mad Dog Time	Jimmie the grave …	$80,026		$80,026
Jul 26, 1991	Another You	Eddie Dash	$2,697,777		$2,697,777
Nov 17, 1989	Harlem Nights	Sugar Ray	$60,857,262	$35,000,000	$95,857,262
May 12, 1989	See No Evil, Hear No Evil	Wallace "Wally" K…	$46,900,000		$46,900,000
Mar 4, 1988	Moving	Arlo Pear	$10,815,378		$10,815,378
Jan 16, 1987	Critical Condition	Eddie/Kevin	$20,240,502		$20,240,502
May 2, 1986	Jo Jo Dancer, Your Lif…	Jo Jo Dancer/Alte…	$18,034,150		$18,034,150
May 22, 1985	Brewster's Millions	Montgomery Brewster	$40,800,000	$5,000,000	$45,800,000
Oct 28, 1983	Richard Pryor Here and…	Himself	$16,156,776		$16,156,776
Jun 17, 1983	Superman III	Gus Gorman	$59,950,623	$20,249,377	$80,200,000
Dec 10, 1982	The Toy	Jack Brown	$47,118,057		$47,118,057
Apr 2, 1982	Some Kind of Hero	Corporal Eddie Ke…	$20,400,486		$20,400,486
Mar 12, 1982	Richard Pryor Live on …	Himself	$34,970,309		$34,970,309
May 22, 1981	Bustin' Loose	Joe Braxton	$31,261,000		$31,261,000
Dec 12, 1980	Stir Crazy	Harry Monroe	$101,300,000		$101,300,000
Sep 26, 1980	In God We Tru$t	G.O.D.	$5,215,015		$5,215,015
Jun 13, 1980	Wholly Moses!	Pharaoh	$14,155,617		$14,155,617
Jun 22, 1979	The Muppet Movie	Balloon Vendor	$76,657,000		$76,657,000
Dec 15, 1978	California Suite	Dr. Chauncey Gump	$42,913,571		$42,913,571
Oct 24, 1978	The Wiz	The Wiz	$22,000,000		$22,000,000
1977	Which Way Is Up?	Leroy Jones/Rufus…	$17,000,000		$17,000,000
Dec 3, 1976	Silver Streak	Grover Muldoon	$51,079,064		$51,079,064
Oct 20, 1972	Lady Sings the Blues	Piano Man	$19,726,490		$19,726,490

Averages			$31,839,326	$15,074,894	$34,351,809
Totals	26		$764,143,830	$60,299,577	$824,443,407

Leading or Lead Ensemble Roles

Release Date	Title	Opening Weekend	Maximum Theaters	Domestic Box Office	Worldwide Box Office	Domestic Share
May 6, 2003	Car Wash
Nov 17, 1989	Harlem Nights	$16,096,808	2,180	$60,857,262	$95,857,262	63.5%
Mar 4, 1988	Moving	$4,022,782	1,404	$10,815,378	$10,815,378	100.0%
May 22, 1985	Brewster's Millions	$9,858,905	1,521	$40,800,000	$45,800,000	89.1%
May 22, 1981	Bustin' Loose	$4,798,289	833	$31,261,000	$31,261,000	100.0%
Dec 12, 1980	Stir Crazy	$8,691,886	813	$101,300,000	$101,300,000	100.0%
Jun 13, 1980	Wholly Moses!	$3,625,280	608	$14,155,617	$14,155,617	100.0%
Dec 15, 1978	California Suite			$42,913,571	$42,913,571	100.0%

Averages		$7,848,992	1,227	$43,157,547	$48,871,833	93.2%
Totals	8			$302,102,828	$342,102,828

Supporting Roles

Release Date	Title	Opening Weekend	Maximum Theaters	Domestic Box Office	Worldwide Box Office	Domestic Share
Feb 21, 1997	Lost Highway	$212,710	337	$3,814,727	$3,864,927	98.7%
Oct 24, 1978	The Wiz			$22,000,000	$22,000,000	100.0%
Oct 20, 1972	Lady Sings the Blues			$19,726,490	$19,726,490	100.0%

Averages		$212,710	337	$15,180,406	$15,197,139	99.6%
Totals	3			$45,541,217	$45,591,417

Latest Ranking on All Acting Box Office Record Lists

Record	Rank	Amount
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 701-800)	796	$302,102,828
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 32,901-33,000)	32,975	$45,541,217
Top Live Action Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,601-1,700)	1,697	$687,486,830
Top Above the Line Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,301-1,400)	1,317	$420,486,318
Top Below the Line Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 53,301-53,400)	53,306	$3,814,727
Top Stars in Cameo Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 601-700)	643	$76,657,000
Top Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,701-1,800)	1,779	$764,143,830
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the International Box Office (Rank 2,901-3,000)	2,925	$40,000,000
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the International Box Office (Rank 61,101-61,200)	61,117	$50,200
Top Live Action Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 26,301-26,400)	26,384	$60,299,577
Top Above the Line Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 5,701-5,800)	5,712	$40,000,000
Top Below the Line Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 54,501-54,600)	54,502	$50,200
Top Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 28,801-28,900)	28,805	$60,299,577
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,301-1,400)	1,304	$342,102,828
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 42,201-42,300)	42,290	$45,591,417
Top Live Action Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 5,001-5,100)	5,020	$747,786,407
Top Above the Line Stars at the Wordwide Box Office (Rank 2,301-2,400)	2,307	$460,486,318
Top Below the Line Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 55,501-55,600)	55,550	$3,864,927
Top Stars in Cameo Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 801-900)	863	$76,657,000
Top Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 5,101-5,200)	5,101	$824,443,407
Highest Grossing Stars of 1980 at the Domestic Box Office	7	237
Highest Grossing Stars of 1981 at the Domestic Box Office	8	226
Highest Grossing Stars of 1982 at the Domestic Box Office	8	226
Highest Grossing Stars of 1983 at the Domestic Box Office	82	79
Highest Grossing Stars of 1985 at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200)	125	80
Highest Grossing Stars of 1986 at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200)	131	80
Highest Grossing Stars of 1987 at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200)	129	80
Highest Grossing Stars of 1988 at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 201-300)	236	18
Highest Grossing Stars of 1989 at the Domestic Box Office	70	98
Highest Grossing Stars of 1990 at the Domestic Box Office	66	98
Highest Grossing Stars of 1991 at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200)	108	80
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 401-500)	424	$261,302,828
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 701-800)	756	$40,800,000
Top International Leading Stars for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 1,901-2,000)	1,974	$35,000,000
Top International Leading Stars for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 1,201-1,300)	1,249	$5,000,000
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 701-800)	795	$296,302,828
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 1,001-1,100)	1,002	$45,800,000
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 501-600)	538	$302,102,828
Top International Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 2,301-2,400)	2,357	$40,000,000
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 901-1,000)	922	$342,102,828
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 301-400)	398	$227,089,949
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 301-400)	350	$60,857,262
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Fantasy Movies (Rank 501-600)	596	$14,155,617
Top International Leading Stars for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 2,901-3,000)	2,931	$5,000,000
Top International Leading Stars for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 601-700)	628	$35,000,000
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 701-800)	738	$232,089,949
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 401-500)	454	$95,857,262
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Fantasy Movies (Rank 801-900)	808	$14,155,617
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Comedy Movies (Rank 201-300)	207	$200,802,828
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Black Comedy Movies	26	$101,300,000
Top International Leading Stars for Comedy Movies (Rank 601-700)	642	$40,000,000
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Comedy Movies (Rank 201-300)	275	$240,802,828
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Black Comedy Movies	83	$101,300,000
Top Domestic Leading Stars for R Movies (Rank 201-300)	277	$204,233,640
Top Domestic Leading Stars for PG Movies (Rank 601-700)	661	$97,869,188
Top International Leading Stars for R Movies (Rank 1,001-1,100)	1,024	$35,000,000
Top International Leading Stars for PG Movies (Rank 1,301-1,400)	1,334	$5,000,000
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for R Movies (Rank 401-500)	495	$239,233,640
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for PG Movies (Rank 801-900)	895	$102,869,188
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Warner Bros. Movies (Rank 1,001-1,100)	1,060	$10,815,378
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Universal Movies (Rank 301-400)	379	$72,061,000
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Sony Pictures Movies (Rank 701-800)	794	$14,155,617
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Paramount Pictures Movies (Rank 401-500)	432	$60,857,262
Top International Leading Stars for Universal Movies (Rank 601-700)	681	$5,000,000
Top International Leading Stars for Paramount Pictures Movies (Rank 401-500)	464	$35,000,000
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Warner Bros. Movies (Rank 1,101-1,200)	1,104	$10,815,378
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Universal Movies (Rank 501-600)	537	$77,061,000
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Sony Pictures Movies (Rank 801-900)	846	$14,155,617
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Paramount Pictures Movies (Rank 401-500)	479	$95,857,262

All Technical Credits

Release Date	Title	Role	Domestic Box Office	International Box Office	Worldwide Box Office
Jul 15, 2022	Paws of Fury: The Legend of…	Story Creator	$17,811,382	$22,354,756	$40,166,138
May 2, 1986	Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is …	Director Screenwriter	$18,034,150		$18,034,150
Oct 28, 1983	Richard Pryor Here and Now	Director	$16,156,776		$16,156,776
Mar 12, 1982	Richard Pryor Live on the S…	Screenwriter Producer	$34,970,309		$34,970,309
May 22, 1981	Bustin' Loose	Producer Story by	$31,261,000		$31,261,000
Feb 7, 1974	Blazing Saddles	Screenwriter	$119,878,189	$1,181	$119,879,370

Averages			$39,685,301	$11,177,969	$43,411,291
Totals	6		$238,111,806	$22,355,937	$260,467,743

Director Credits

Release Date	Title	Opening Weekend	Maximum Theaters	Domestic Box Office	Worldwide Box Office	Domestic Share
May 2, 1986	Jo Jo Dancer, Your Lif…	$4,879,107	1,203	$18,034,150	$18,034,150	100.0%
Oct 28, 1983	Richard Pryor Here and…	$3,701,609	1,411	$16,156,776	$16,156,776	100.0%

Averages		$4,290,358	1,307	$17,095,463	$17,095,463	100.0%
Totals	2			$34,190,926	$34,190,926

Producer Credits

Release Date	Title	Opening Weekend	Maximum Theaters	Domestic Box Office	Worldwide Box Office	Domestic Share
Mar 12, 1982	Richard Pryor Live on …	$7,780,693	1,277	$34,970,309	$34,970,309	100.0%
May 22, 1981	Bustin' Loose	$4,798,289	833	$31,261,000	$31,261,000	100.0%

Averages		$6,289,491	1,055	$33,115,655	$33,115,655	100.0%
Totals	2			$66,231,309	$66,231,309

Writer Credits

Release Date	Title	Opening Weekend	Maximum Theaters	Domestic Box Office	Worldwide Box Office	Domestic Share
Jul 15, 2022	Paws of Fury: The Lege…	$6,321,423	3,481	$17,811,382	$40,166,138	44.3%
May 2, 1986	Jo Jo Dancer, Your Lif…	$4,879,107	1,203	$18,034,150	$18,034,150	100.0%
Mar 12, 1982	Richard Pryor Live on …	$7,780,693	1,277	$34,970,309	$34,970,309	100.0%
May 22, 1981	Bustin' Loose	$4,798,289	833	$31,261,000	$31,261,000	100.0%
Feb 7, 1974	Blazing Saddles			$119,878,189	$119,879,370	100.0%

Averages		$5,944,878	1,699	$44,391,006	$48,862,193	88.9%
Totals	5			$221,955,030	$244,310,967

Latest Ranking on All Technical Box Office Record Lists

Record	Rank	Amount
Top Grossing Director at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,301-1,400)	1,367	$34,190,926
Top Grossing Producer at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,501-1,600)	1,552	$66,231,309
Top Grossing Screenwriter at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 801-900)	810	$172,882,648
Top Grossing Story Creator at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,301-1,400)	1,305	$49,072,382
Top Grossing Screenwriter at the International Box Office (Rank 9,401-9,500)	9,467	$1,181
Top Grossing Story Creator at the International Box Office (Rank 1,601-1,700)	1,696	$22,354,756
Top Grossing Director at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 2,101-2,200)	2,196	$34,190,926
Top Grossing Producer at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 2,301-2,400)	2,316	$66,231,309
Top Grossing Screenwriter at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,501-1,600)	1,532	$172,883,829
Top Grossing Story Creator at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,401-1,500)	1,474	$71,427,138