(born 1940) Film actor and comedian known for his crude humor and hilarious characterizations of African American life. A great influence on comedians such as Eddie Murphy, Pryor provided the counterpoint to Bill Cosby’s more genteel and genial wit. In addition to movies of his live comedy routines, he also starred in Lady Sings the Blues (1972) with Diana Ross, Mel Brook’s Blazing Saddles (1973), Stir Crazy (1980) with Gene Wilder, and the third Superman movie. He injured himself badly in an accident involving cocaine, which later became a source for some of his routines. More recently he has been stricken with multiple sclerosis.