Richard Pryor was a highly influential American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. He was born on December 1, 1940, in Peoria, Illinois, and passed away on December 10, 2005. Pryor is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential comedians of all time.

His comedy often focused on social issues such as race, politics, and the African American experience, and he was known for his raw, honest, and often controversial humor. Pryor’s comedy albums and stand-up specials, such as “That [N word]’s Crazy” and “Live on the Sunset Strip,” are considered classics in the genre.

In addition to his stand-up career, Pryor also found success as an actor, starring in numerous films, including “Silver Streak,” “Stir Crazy,” “Brewster’s Millions,” and “Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip.” He received critical acclaim for his performances and was nominated for several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in “Lady Sings the Blues.”

the pryor fire
Some sources (including Pryor himself) say that late in the evening of June 9, 1980, Pryor poured 151-proof rum all over himself and lit himself on fire. Other sources (including the LAPD) say that what burned him that night was an explosion that happened while he was freebasing cocaine. While he was still burning, he ran down Parthenia Street from his Los Angeles home until he was subdued by police. He was taken to a hospital, where he was treated for second- and third-degree burns covering more than half of his body.