Richard Pryor on Letterman, January 15, 1987

Richard Pryor makes his only appearance on Late Night, promoting his film "Critical Condition" (clip edited out due to copyright caution).

[@7wolfman78]

He was a sensitive and thoughtful man. Not to mention one of the funniest 😬

[@zenpaganwarrior]

Richard proved that you can come from the most disadvantaged upbringing and still, with hard work, become a huge success. One of the funniest men who ever lived!

[@93Jubilee]

Hard work . . . and incredible talent!

[@gregamerson9172]

Richie wasn't impoverished his family had money

[@3340steve]

Richard was a survivor, he plays it gracefully but that pain is wriiten on his face. His humor reflected that . He was so full of life. I miss that man.

[@Esotereclectic]

Sad because, by this time, the effects of MS were just starting to show here.

[@briancannon3987]

See how powerful media is today. If he was in his prime today he'd get me too'd in a minute

[@gdweed420smkalot8]

Thats cocaine on his face bro

[@lucashenderson2775]

@@Esotereclectic Yeah, from about 85-86 on, he looked noticeably more haggard in appearances and movies. That was the clearest sign.

[@falishamote1059]

He was really special… sent here on this hell called earth to entertain people, who was having rough times in their lives. He had abandonment issues, been raped saw things little kids shouldn’t see living in a H$e house before he was 12 years old and still made something for himself and made people laugh. Continue resting And thank you for visiting (this is How I cope with death in my own family)

[@xanlysphynx8839]

His looks changed so drastically from 83-87 cause of the accident and drugs....poor baby so happy he had lots of good in his life....his impact here forever

[@flora-3603]

He was suffering from MS here he was diagnosed in 86

[@glassarthouse]

nothing to do with drugs. he quit drugs. this is because he has an auto-immune disease.

[@624radicalham]

@@glassarthouse Is MS an auto immune disease?

[@yeayeh7266]

All of our impacts are here to stay

[@jawsquid]

To me, easily the greatest standup comic ever. Remarkable grace and vulnerability, but never cloying or pathetic. Just a genius artist.

[@Vaughan2323]

The goat no doubt

[@waynej2608]

Well said and accurate.

[@martinhousemuse]

Definitely someone, among the famous, I would have loved to have met. His comedy showed him to be a great story teller, and he seemed like a kind and grateful person in his interviews.

[@ideastoragedb]

I think Richard's drug addiction kept him quite humble. You would be surprised how many movie scripts were written with him in mind and because of his reputation the part went to Eddie Murphy. When I say this I'm basing it off of all of the interviews that I'm currently binge watching. What a pleasure. Richard was amazing.

[@mfhorn01]

mel brooks wanted him for blazing saddles but his reputation preceded him...sad but true

[@TEACHERSSEES]

My Father loves Richard... one of the only times I would hear my Father crackin up hard... good old days...

[@freddiemontanez8461]

He looks humble and shy. You can tell he had a good heart 💔💓. R.I.P. Richard.

[@jeahavvalentin980]

Eddie Murphy is the exact same way in real life always humble and shy. During that same year Eddie Murphy would always wear his leather clothes to his interviews

[@Blackman19498]

Jeahav Valentin ,troll dick!!!!r.i.p Richard!!

[@jeahavvalentin980]

@@Blackman19498 Eddie Murphy is a way better actor and comedian than Richard Pryor

[@Blackman19498]

Jeahav Valentin ,wow

[@jeahavvalentin980]

@@Blackman19498 Which explains why that has been was jealous of Eddie Murphy on the set of Harlem Nights 😂 😂

[@justinzaff]

It was a better world with Richard in it .

[@jeahavvalentin980]

Eddie Murphy made it way better and at least Eddie Murphy is still alive

[@Blackman19498]

Jeahav Valentin , what a dick

[@jeahavvalentin980]

@@Blackman19498 Yup that's exactly what I am, so what are you going to do about it?

[@davidperez5089]

@@jeahavvalentin980 are you 11 years old?

[@tulsacaupain2882]

It really was

[@MsLizziebeth1]

This is so sweet, to watch two comedian friends together again. Letterman is so real and kind, reaching out to a fragile-looking Richard, still just loving the man. And Pryor remembering why they liked ea other when they were both struggling. 18yrs later Richard was gone. Sniff....

[@KaySloan]

Sorry to say, but Letterman doesn't even come close to Richard Pryor. He knows it -- it's on full display here. It's obvious from the way Pryor stands up and just leaves with barely a handshake after Letterman gets his laughs about the age difference in his marriage.

[@chriskramer5297]

It's always weird to see dave truly fascinated by someone

[@allencollins6031]

Knows he's sitting with a living legend and icon.

[@hippydippy]

Jesus... Talk about a humble man. He is truly a legend.

[@kc4699]

i'll never forget being in primary school & one of my friends secretly playing her older brother's Richard Pryor albums for us while her parents were out. thank you Ramona, and thank you Mr Pryor. what an outstanding early 80s experience!

[@Danimal77]

It's cool that Richard seemed to like David. He even said at one point that it's good to see you David with affection. They worked the clubs together in the 70's.

[@seamac206]

Specifically The Comedy Store

[@jeahavvalentin980]

Eddie Murphy is way way better and a whole lot funnier than Richard Pryor.

[@Danimal77]

@@jeahavvalentin980 What does that have to do with what I wrote?

[@jeahavvalentin980]

@@Danimal77 Eddie Murphy's Movie which also came out in 1987 Beverly Hills Cop 2 was way way way way way more successful at the box-office than Richard Pryor's 1987 mediocre movie critical condition

[@cha5]

Jeahav Valentin I wouldn’t piss on Beverly Hills Cop 2 if it was on fire in front of me.

[@stevencardenas2661]

Richard was a natural! One of the greats of all time!

[@rytvdinners5064]

Dave seemed a bit nervous, but Richard is so cool!

[@el6178]

,He answers with 100% honesty.

[@PatriciaMcAll]

We still love you, Richard.

[@jeahavvalentin980]

Eddie Murphy is way way better

[@yvonneregulus5642]

Loved me some Richard Pryor.

[@tiernyt2051]

I loved Richard Pryer,he had genuine personality...

[@jeahavvalentin980]

Same thing with Eddie Murphy

[@Shawn-ne6ld]

Loved Richard...one of the best ever. He is sorely missed.

[@MrBlackbutang]

Richard. The greatest! Rip

[@dianephillips8879]

One of the very best comedians ever.

[@jeahavvalentin980]

Eddie Murphy is way way better

[@davsaltego]

Another sorely missed comedic genius. And ironically, there always seemed like there was something very shy about him.

[@claudiasiefer8495]

Many many performers are shy. Not "celebrities" mind you or worse "influencers" who LOVE being the center of attention. Being on stage is SAFE. There's an invisible 4th wall that makes it possible for them (us) to overcome our shyness.

[@djf750]

after his "accident" he went to AA in the LA area and some people I knew said he WAS very shy and told them how nervous he was hosting the Academy Awards because it was one of the first things he did sober. apparently a very nice, insecure and shy like most addicts/alcoholics (I speak from experience)

[@jeahavvalentin980]

Eddie Murphy is way way better and a whole lot funnier than Richard Pryor. Anything Richard Pryor did in the 1980's, Eddie Murphy did it a billion times better

[@Easy420skate]

@@djf750 You say you speak from experience but most addicts are just shy about their AA, not in general. You're just sounding like an ass.

[@kensalazar5066]

@@jeahavvalentin980 without Richard there is no eddie! Are you really that naive? AND how much of Richard have no actually watched? He's was able to be funny WITHOUT using profanity...as well as with! AND WHY SUCH CRITICISM?Your OBLIVIOUSLY in the minority on this one!!

[@lauremehrkens5891]

What a sweetheart he is. Real shame he’s not still with us. Great upload thank you!!!

[@jeahavvalentin980]

At least Eddie Murphy is still with us

[@CrystalHotSauce1]

What a legend. He will forever be the GOAT of comedy 💜

[@Bill_Woo]

My God, you've been putting these amazing footages together for over 3 years? I should devote the rest of my life to your channel. GREAT S--T. Well done.

[@demonslayer5923]

Shit

[@datebytype]

I love it. Richard seems relaxed with Dave

[@jeahavvalentin980]

Eddie Murphy too

[@vickenator]

@@jeahavvalentin980 Are you his publicist or something? What is your obsession with trying to insert Eddie Murphy into every comment thread here?

[@jeahavvalentin980]

@@vickenator What are you going to do about it? 😂 😂

[@retiredcatlady]

Love this man. Thankyou youtube

[@corvavw6447]

Richard, ja de beste commedian welke ik gezien heb. talent, en intelligent.

[@philipsimpson566]

Greatest stand up comedian of all time, no one has ever come close

[@jeahavvalentin980]

What are you talking about? Eddie Murphy has succeeded and way way surpassed Richard Pryor as the greatest stand-up comedian

[@jeahavvalentin980]

@@lostinspacerobinson1527 I know so

[@jeahavvalentin980]

@@lostinspacerobinson1527 I don't care Eddie Murphy is still better than Richard Pryor and that's that, you're not changing my mind about it!

[@gregamerson9172]

@@jeahavvalentin980 if u love Ed so fkn much go to his channels n run yr damn mouth

[@abc-bu7nr]

People said Babe Ruth was the greatest then along came Willie Mays

[@tomcourteney-hoare1421]

Critical condition.Epic movie.He was an absolute genius.RIP Richard prior

[@cherriphelps0108]

Miss Richard and David!

[@victorrobertperry]

very moving. I love that the band was doing "Life" by Sly & The Family Stone as the commercial exit music in the middle, that's so choice.

[@nancyseidel1132]

I love both of these men

[@renhoek3851]

Thanks once again pal, these are superb

[@timharrod]

Wow! Richard and Mr. Rogers were two of the guys I never realized were interviewed by Dave. As always, you're doing amazing work.

[@dongiller]

Someone had requested this some months ago. It was only recently when I had reached digitizing shows from this month. So finally... And thanks!

[@jeahavvalentin980]

Eddie Murphy was a bigger and better movie superstar than Eddie Murphy

[@timharrod]

@@jeahavvalentin980 I dunno, Eddie Murphy was pretty huge in his day.

[@jeahavvalentin980]

@@timharrod Eddie Murphy gave Richard Pryor the run 🏃 for his money back then in the 1980's

[@93Jubilee]

@@jeahavvalentin980 Again? Why do you do this? Just let people appreciate both of them.

[@StevenFallonOfficial]

Funny AF but also did great drama too. Just one example, "Blue Collar" also with Yaphet Kotto and Harvey Keitel. Pryor is incredible in that flick ( as are his co-stars).

[@jazzmanchgo]

True -- I don't think he really ever got the opportunity to work in a really serious dramatic film, though. He certainly could have done it -- a lot of comedians were/are gifted serious actors, and Pryor could certainly have been a master at it.

[@jenningj1105]

Thank you very much for mentioning Blue Collar - I hadn't thought about that special film in years. Yes, Pryor and his co-stars were wonderful in it. Pryor's sensitivity, intellect, and struggle/demons shine through everything he did.

[@Bootrosgali]

Blue Collar is a classic "midnight movie" of the old days when you randomly come across it on the second channel of a broadcaster.. 1997, BBC2, past midnight.. I will never forget it,,,,,real dirty 70s feel right from the start,, then BLUE COLLAR comes up written really stark and simple with the inside this factory filmed verité style ,, and your going this seems realistic , genuine,, and then you see Richard fucking Pryor acting his ass off apparently until you realise he IS acting his ass off and this is a serious movie and you know this has just got to be a secret gem , because its well done too, and you care about this character, and shit if it isn't Richard Pryor and you,are all the more blown away by the experience because it him. Yep my night with Blue Collar .

[@KungEMuller]

This is really marvelous, sir. This must've been one of the biggest nights of David Letterman's life, wasn't it?

[@dongiller]

It was his first major guest of the new year.

[@KungEMuller]

Don Giller Wow! That's awesome! Of course, he did have bigger guests than Richard Pryor, though.

[@rickdynes]

Kung-E Muller blasphemy

[@ORagnar]

@@KungEMuller "Wow! That's awesome! Of course, he did have bigger guests than Richard Pryor, though." True. Andre The Giant was on his show.

[@KungEMuller]

@@ORagnar Not just in height, man! I'm talking about in popularity.

[@RandomTvv]

Rip the greatest

[@jeahavvalentin980]

At least Eddie Murphy is still alive

[@RandomTvv]

@@jeahavvalentin980 true eddie murphy is the man

[@comedydan3155]

This is top Stuff, I really wish I could of met Richard Pryor or I wish I could travel back in time to meet him. He is brilliant just Top R.I.P Legend Richard

[@jeahavvalentin980]

Would you like to meet Eddie Murphy?

[@comedydan3155]

@@jeahavvalentin980 yea I would i like lots of comedians

[@richards.johnson8755]

Jeahav Valenti

[@yoplay1717]

🍍🍍just say tax colletter and people puff they run ..really fast.ok.yea. $$$

[@forevershampoo]

love richard pryor! my man!

[@jeahavvalentin980]

What about Eddie Murphy?

[@sohooded]

Always miss you Richard. 💕💓💕💓

[@davidleedutton]

The Cafe Wha? is still there and still open.

[@jonyang9272]

the concept of "burying the show" is amazing..... @7:05

[@krisf9639]

Jon Yang why is it amazing

[@blackbridge7043]

RICHARD LOOKS VERY CALM AND CLEAR,AT THIS PART OF HIS LIFE.

[@alwaysengines]

Richard Pryor = GOAT

[@Illumirage]

nah

[@MrNewktrane]

Absolutely! When he switch up his style in the late 60s, he forever changed the face of comedy in America by bringing portions of the black experience of living in America on stages throughout the country in blunt, unapologetic, funny ways & managed to also convey on the other side of that coin the heart & resilience of a people all at the same time. King Richard's three important influences of his game changing skills on the mic were Dick Gregory, Bill Cosby, & Redd Foxx. Rich broke another wall in that he pulled constantly from his personal life- struggles & all- onto nightly stand up audience in ways that no comedian standup or otherwise has ever done before or since. On all of his classic & award winning albums from 1971's "Craps...After Hours" to 1983's " Here & Now" is an audio tour of a genius.

[@Illumirage]

@@MrNewktrane meh

[@MrNewktrane]

@@Illumirage Meh is indicating ones age & shoe size. History class is over & your meh would suggest a future failing grade on next week's test.

[@Illumirage]

@@MrNewktrane I wear a size fifteen shoe

[@mrczz6690]

Good guy, legend. Mafia skit is insanely good

[@tabathabrabham6384]

Rest in Person Richard....THANK YOU 😊

[@deborahdefelice8692]

Well said ! Bravo!

[@APOCALYPSE_X-MEN]

This is when Richard was in the very early stages of multiple sclerosis. His first episode of symptoms occurred while he was filming Critical Condition.

[@constantinvaldor3742]

How do you know?

[@hevyonez97]

@@constantinvaldor3742 Richard told everybody what was up....he started developing his MS problems in the middle of 1986....he was on these talk shows making jokes about and we all laughed with him, but it was slowly happening to him...by 1991 all the symptoms were visible....everybody knew the MS started hitting him hard....

[@constantinvaldor3742]

@@hevyonez97 I hear that thanks for the info.

[@Bermondseybob]

@@constantinvaldor3742 It's also mentioned in the booklet that came in a box set of all his live albums that I've got. He even did a small routine about finding out while filming. The MS affected his eyesight first and he couldn't tell the difference between left and right. That's when he had the tests run and was diagnosed.

[@pillettadoinswartsh4974]

I love watching Richard make interviewers squirm.

[@jeahavvalentin980]

What about Eddie Murphy?

[@Artist21st]

Legendary

[@goldiesincity8005]

Richard Pryor tried to maintain and be normal without the drugs and alcohol , but you can see the nervousness in his actions and behavior , it makes him more funny ,he was nervous when he was on drugs that's part of the reason why he did them . its good he chose to live a sober lifestyle in his later years .

[@elik3239]

Yea but the damage was already done

[@goldiesincity8005]

@@elik3239 Yeah

[@buckybucky8596]

My God that man was genius!

[@RobertWalker560587]

Funniest man that ever was. RIP

[@ViralTuber]

Richard sure did want to get the heck out of there. He'd already mentioned wanting to go back to the hotel.

[@jeahavvalentin980]

Eddie Murphy was way better than Richard Pryor in the 1980's

[@greggifford1752]

Jeahav Valentin K.

[@aaronm.3581]

@@jeahavvalentin980 😌

[@marleyjanim5033]

Everyone favorite comic, favorite comic

[@m.a.c.8366]

wow... great memory of Richard here... ... missing you RP.. RIP sir

[@jeahavvalentin980]

At least Eddie Murphy is still alive

[@brendafleming6443]

This was A classic & what an a/h

[@-RAMS-FAN]

Brilliant one of a kind

[@elirang22]

Richard we miss you so much😢

[@jeahavvalentin980]

At least we still have Eddie Murphy

[@jeffkyler5660]

Pryor quietly had a creativity and verbal ability on par with Robin Williams but where Robin was manic Pryor, especially pre-accident Pryor, had a hard edge. Brilliant.

[@allencollins6031]

Sensitive man.

[@Jett-xz9vu]

When Richard Pryor worked in the Village George Carlin appeared at the same time.

[@user-fn2pe5ym9x]

Richard and George was good friends they also was in Car Wash the Movie

[@jeahavvalentin980]

Eddie Murphy was a baby back then in the 1960's when Richard Pryor was doing his thing in the village

[@ronnieprice7722]

I can't believe David Letterman said know as the current funny man Richard Pryor cause how the hell say current funny man back then Richard Pryor is the funniest man we've back in the day and he will still be the funniest man we've causes I don't see nobody as funny then him so RIP TO THE LATE RICHARD PRYOR......

[@malcolmmilliner7827]

RICHARD ❤THE KING OF CRAY CRAY 😊😁😂

[@brennanplummer]

35 years ago today

[@seanmarsh8411]

Damn, 15 days before I was born.

[@realsense3943]

Legend

[@squarebearderry]

His eyes look fragile here, man was flawed but beautiful

[@squarebearderry]

@Jessica Hicking im not judging the man im seeing him for how he was, ive been through the same, i ended that he was beautiful, stop your judgement.

[@squarebearderry]

@Jessica Hicking fuck all cowardly about it were human its part of the make up ya fool, get of the internet and talk to somebody that cares. head melter

[@irontribeissues9104]

That jacket is huuuuge on him.

[@ztoxtube]

Pretty sure Johnny wore the same suit Richard is wearing on a Pryor visit to the Tonight Show.

[@dongiller]

I see what you did there.

[@bjt81366]

Richard had a great relationship with Carson, you can see he did not have the same with Dave. I think it took a long time for Dave to invite him to the show for some reason.

[@joebeltran8769]

I think that comment by David pissed Richard off. Cuz usually guest stay till the music take the show into commercials. But, here you can see Richard take off as soon as he was done shaking his hand.

[@chuckfan1]

No, not really. Appears Pryor just was a little antsy, and got up and left. No ill will or anything come across. Again, these guys were friends from way back in the Comedy Store days.

[@stanleyglover7797]

I think he was sick at the time of this show as well. Early stages of MS

[@1986SSMONTECARLO]

LOL.....The Cologne on the hand thing happened to me when I shook Ken Griffey Jr's hand back in '99

[@xxmanx1]

2018..Cafe wah is still goin

[@johnw8984]

Charlie X Hendrix played there also at the Cafe Wha'

[@redlazer3]

dumb question - what is the song playing out into commercial break around the 6 minute mark? I don't know why I can't for the life of me remember the name.

[@dongiller]

You actually just identified it: “Life” by Sly and the Family Stone (1968). Original recording here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/emiUh4lpZbKMpck

[@victormcdaniel4669]

Is it wrong if I start laughing before Richard says one word?

[@mitchelldenise3507]

Why is Letterman'schair so high. They should have been on even plain

[@briancannon3987]

And you ever notice that Dave has to sit down after the fuest. Hers a dick. It's polite to sit at the same time.

[@michaelmyerrs9795]

Never noticed that, interesting.

[@jeahavvalentin980]

Eddie Murphy is the true king 👑 of comedy

[@Swamp_gas12]

Not sure why your worried about it.

[@davelowinger7056]

I like Richard he step out from behind his facade

[@Blondie42]

9:09 Now they care even worse than 50 years ago. No idea the level of "scandal" that would emerge were that image of Richard was released everywhere other than just on a few random archive KZbin videos.

[@kevinjudy2459]

Pryor is hillarious, not so in person.

[@johnny6610]

Kevin Judy Watch his interview high on coke, best thing ever lol

[@kshinokevin]

ILLinois and Indiana.

[@user-fn2pe5ym9x]

He always talk about he loves Chicago and Peoria IL his home Town

[@skahler]

Kind of a... tense interview...

[@dmxclay2393]

The kind of question they used to ask was funny.

[@yarchism]

high off the ready roc

[@jeanellecheramie8856]

No body like him!! EVER!!!

[@gart9680]

Powder eyes.

[@Jasedadon82]

0:35 almost loses his balance stepping on the stage... tried to grab the chair.... the Parkinson’s was setting in 😪

[@sohooded]

Parkinson's? Do you mean multiple sclerosis?

[@RICHBLACKCOCK]

well theschool bus was late taking her home the other day. genius

[@markissboi3583]

🎙Johnny Carson🎙 has to be worth every💲 they paid him- The Guys A Natural Talent Interviewer 🎙 Generally always right in there having fun 🏌️‍♀️👨‍💻👍 took a few shows ok weeks & weeks to get used to a new interviewer -UTUBE reruns thanks everyone who post these days & days just watching reruns 🎙👍🤪 we NEVER got to see in OZ

[@jameswarner300]

Richard Pryor was truly starting to look way past his age on that show

[@meeeka]

By that time, he had been burned up, had his face rebuilt, had had several heart attacks and had been married several times, not to mention having been brought up by his grandma in a brothel, that would make even a young doohickey like you look old.

[@jameswarner300]

@Tracey Wu what are you talking about?

[@noradosmith]

The disease he had was kicking in, that's why.

[@jerome8601]

He looks so different ? You

[@kenanmusa4421]

the date when ray bolger died in 1987 .

[@justindavis7435]

Richard was not playing young gyals keep you young classic interview

[@jeahavvalentin980]

Eddie Murphy does funnier interviews with Dave Letterman than Richard Pryor

[@briancannon3987]

Funny the times were in. If Richard was alive today he'd get metood in a second

[@copaceticunleaded4390]

And that was the last time Dave ever talk to Richard Pryor. Holy shit

[@dongiller]

No, they were together the following year during the Comedy Store’s “15th Year Reunion.” Dave displayed a group photo of the two of them, Mitzy Shore, and Robin Williams when he eulogized Robin in 2014.