Richard Pryor died last night , really sad, this guy was a true pioneer of comedy. His comedy particularly his no holds barred stand up acts will always be a tribute to him. What a guy! RIP
"Pryor was married seven times, including twice to Jennifer and twice to Flynn Belaine, and had seven children.
Pryor grew up in a brothel run by his grandmother in Peoria, Illinois. After a stint in the US army, he pursued a comedy career that landed him spots on television shows in the 1960s.
Pryor used hustlers, pimps and other characters he had encountered at his grandmother's whorehouse as inspiration for his acts, the result was a routine that was both profound and profane.
Heart and spirit
"He had a courage and a heart and a spirit that was unmatchable and, of course, he was controversial," Jennifer Pryor said. "That was wonderful Richard. He told the truth, didn't he? ... he told the truth and he was very proud.
"Bigoted rednecks came up to Richard and told him, 'Thank you for opening my eyes,' because he was so in touch with the truth and only spoke the truth ... people respond to that."
Pryor won Grammy Awards for his comedy albums and portrayed Billie Holiday's piano player in the 1972 Oscar-nominated film "Lady Sings the Blues".
His other movies included "Uptown Saturday Night", "The Bingo Long Travelling All-Stars and Motor Kings", "Blue Collar", "Stir Crazy", "Superman III" and "Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling", which was based loosely on his life.
"He was an innovator, a trailblazer," director Spike Lee told CNN. "It's a great loss."
Comic Genius Passes
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RIP to a comic genius - many other comedians owe a lot to him for his ground breaking act. Anyone who has never seen or heard him should check out 'Richard Pryor Live In Concert', recorded and released as a movie in 1979 - I saw it in a cinema at the time and people were literally falling out of their seats laughing!
