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An actor, writer, director, two-time Oscar host and pioneering stand-up comedy artist, Richard Pryor got his start appearing on TV variety shows and releasing bestselling comedy albums. He made his film debut in 1967 with the William Castle comedy The Busy Body and took on a well-regarded dramatic role in Lady Sings the Blues with Diana Ross, and in addition to co-writing the comedy classic Blazing Saddles, he soon became a lauded big screen actor in films including Car Wash, Silver Streak and Stir Crazy, in addition to directing, writing and starring in the autobiographic Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling. Now with rare videos and photos from the Academy archives, let's take a look at the uncompromising, utterly unique brilliance of Richard Pryor through the years.
