Pryor, Richard

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Portrait of Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor
Name
Pryor, Richard Gender: M
born on 1 December 1940 at 13:02 (= 1:02 PM )
Place Peoria IL, USA, 40n41, 89w35
Timezone CST h6w (is standard time)
Data source
Quoted BC/BR Rodden Rating AA
Astrology data s_su.18.gif s_sagcol.18.gif 09°28' s_mo.18.gif s_capcol.18.gif 11°49 Asc.s_piscol.18.gif 23°45'



Biography

American comedian and actor. A sharp, brash star of night clubs, TV and films who thrived on chaos, he was elected to the Comedy Hall of Fame. His earthy, profane humor and low-life characterizations brought him great popularity and he went on to win two Grammy's for his comedy albums, appear in movies and TV specials and in guest shots. He was also a writer and film director.

Raised in seedy poverty amidst sleazy pool halls and whorehouses, he was a school dropout by 14, working at menial jobs. While serving two years in the military, he was stationed in Germany. He made his first appearance as a stand-up comic on 8/31/1954, but it was not until he left the service that he set his sights on performing in local clubs. He achieved national fame on TV's "Ed Sullivan Show," and the "Tonight Show."

Pryor made a screen debut in 1968 and his films include "Lady Sings the Blues," 1972, "Silver Streak," 1976, and "Stir Crazy," 1980. In 1974 he won an Emmy for Best Writing for a Lily Tomlin TV special, and he collaborated with Mel Brooks on their comedy classic "Blazing Saddles," 1974.

Progressing heavily into booze and drugs, while free-basing cocaine he set himself on fire and was badly burned over 50% of his body in 1980. After recovery, he toned down both his act and his incendiary personal life.

In 1986 he began to lose weight and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. By 1991 he had quadruple heart surgery, failing vision and balance. The M.S. was not fatal but debilitating, Pryor received an overwhelming wave of support from his community with a loving Hollywood gala testimonial on 11/25/1991. By 1993 he was confined to a life of wheelchairs, canes and physical therapy.

Pryor had five marriages, and paid child support for the son of an actress.

Just nine days after his 65th birthday, the comedian suffered a heart attack on December 10, 2005 at his home in the San Fernando Valley. Paramedics rushed him to nearby Encino Hospital near Los Angeles where he died at 7:58 AM PST, according to his wife.

Link to Wikipedia biography

Events

  • Work : New Career 31 August 1954 (First stand-up comedy performance)
  • Work : New Job 1968 (Screen debut)
  • Work : Prize 1974 (Emmy award for Best Writing)
  • Work : Published/ Exhibited/ Released 1974 (Famed movie "Blazing Saddles")
  • Health : Accident (Non-fatal) 1980 (Set himself on fire, 50% burned)
  • Health : Medical diagnosis 1986 (M.S.)
  • Health : Medical procedure 1991 (Quadruple heart by-pass surgery)
  • Work : Gain social status 25 November 1991 (Recipient of testimonial dinner)
  • Health : Change in Appearance 1993 (Retricted to canes, wheelchair and P.T.)
  • Death by Heart Attack 10 December 2005 at 07:58 AM in Los Angeles, CA (Age 65)

Source Notes

Gauquelin Book of American Charts

Categories

  • Notable : Awards : Grammy (Two)
  • Notable : Awards : Emmy (One)
  • Vocation : Entertainment : Comedy (Stand-up, TV and film)
  • Vocation : Entertainment : Actor/ Actress (Over 20 films)
  • Vocation : Writers : Playwright/ script
  • Vocation : Entertain/Business : Director
  • Family : Relationship : Number of Marriages (Five)
  • Family : Parenting : Kids 1-3 (One)
  • Lifestyle : Financial : Rags to riches
  • Traits : Mind : Education limited (School dropout age 14)
  • Vocation : Military : Military service (Two years in Germany)
  • Diagnoses : Major Diseases : Multiple Sclerosis (Debilitating)
  • Diagnoses : Psychological : Abuse Alcohol
  • Diagnoses : Psychological : Abuse Drugs (Excessive)
  • Vocation : Entertainment : Voice-Over
  • Vocation : Entertain/Business : Entertain Producer
  • Notable : Awards : Hall of Fame (Comedy)
  • Diagnoses : Body Part Problems : Heart (Quadruple by-pass)
  • Traits : Body : Weight (Weight loss due to disease)
  • Diagnoses : Body Part Problems : Accident/Injury (Set himself on fire, 50% burned)
  • Diagnoses : Major Diseases : Heart disease/attack (Fatal)

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