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Stars Pay Tribute to Richard Pryor
13 December 2005 (WENN)
A host of stars have paid tribute to late comedian Richard Pryor, who died on Saturday aged 65. The funnyman lost his battle with multiple-sclerosis, a disease which robbed him of his ability to walk and, during his final months, his speech. Famous co-stars, contemporaries and admirers have expressed their sadness and hailed his impressive talent for making people laugh. Steve Martin, who starred with Pryor in 1979's The Muppet Movie says, "By expressing his heart, anger and joy, Richard Pryor took comedy to its highest form." Bill Cosby, Pryor's co-star in 1978 film California Suite, adds, "I wish that every new and young comedian would understand what Richard was about and not confuse his genius with his language usage." And music producer Quincy Jones adds, "He was the Charlie Parker of comedy, a master of telling the truth that influenced every comedian that came after him. The legacy he leaves will forever be with us."

Comedy Great Richard Pryor Dead
12 December 2005 (WENN)
Comedy legend Richard Pryor died of a heart attack on Saturday, nine days after celebrating his 65th birthday. The funnyman's wife, Jennifer, has confirmed his passing, revealing she tried to resuscitate him at their home in Encino, California. Pryor had been fighting degenerative nervous system disease multiple sclerosis for the past 20 years. Fans began gathering at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles soon after hearing the sad news yesterday. Pryor starred in a number of hit comedy movies like Stir Crazy, Brewster's Millions and Car Wash, but he really shone as a standup comedian, often poking fun at race issues and his own well-publicized drug problems. Pryor, who was married seven times and fathered seven children, grew up in a brothel in Illinois, run by his grandmother. He started his comedy career as a touring stand-up in the 1960s and quickly became a cult act. He won several Grammy Awards for his comedy albums and went on to influence many of today's top comedians. As well as his most obvious movie hits, listed above, Pryor also appeared in Superman III in 1983 and The Muppet Movie in 1979. He also starred in innovative musical documentary Wattstax. In paying tribute to Pryor yesterday, movie-maker Spike Lee said, "He was an innovator and a trailblazer. It's a great loss."