Richard Pryor Would've Been 80 Today — Remembering the Comedy Legend with Sweet Tributes

Richard Pryor, one of the brilliant comedians in Hollywood, would have turned 80 on December 1. Many paid special tribute to the late comedy legend online.

One of the most influential stand-up comedians of all time, Richard Pryor, who passed away due to a heart attack on December 10, 2005, was remembered by his friends, family, and fans on his birthday. Though he is gone, his legacy in the entertainment industry remains alive.

The late comedian’s Twitter account posted a 45-second old video showing iconic celebrities describing Pryor in one word. In the clip, comedian Eddie Murphy said Pryor is a "complete genius."

REMEMBERING A COMEDY LEGEND

Pryor's verified account added that they honor the legacy and his body of work as the late comedy actor has "forever changed" the game in the industry.

More entertainment groups paid tribute to Pryor. The Hot 105 FM radio station also took to Twitter their greetings to the "Stir Crazy" actor. Their post read:

"Happy Birthday to the late stand-up comedian @richardpryor! He is one of the greatest and most influential stand-up comedians of all time. #HOT105"

The Comedy Store, a popular comedy club in the US, took the time to honor the comedy legend on Twitter as well. They posted a funny video clip that reminded them of how skillful Pryor was onstage.

Meanwhile, Iranian-American retired professional wrestler Hossein Khosrov Ali Vaziri, also known as The Iron Sheik, also sent his birthday greetings to Pryor, whom he considered his brother.

Crime fiction author Megan Abbott did not let the day pass without remembering Pryor. She posted an old black-and-white snap of Pryor with Murphy sitting on a car.

HIS HARD CHILDHOOD

Behind Pryor’s hilarious comedy stints onstage was a heartbreaking childhood, as shared by his widow, Jennifer Lee Pryor, whom he married twice, in 1981 and in 2001. Jennifer was among the seven women Pryor had a relationship with in the past.

Jennifer said that her late husband’s childhood was filled with violence. When Pryor turned 5 or 6, his mother left him because she wanted to stop prostituting.

Before MGM’s biopic film for Pryor, the latter’s life was documented by ABC last January in a film titled "The Last Days of Richard Pryor."

A BIOPIC FOR THE ICONIC COMEDIAN

After more than a decade since Pryor’s death, media giant MGM, won a heated film rights auction to create a movie based on the late comedy actor’s life.

To realize Pryor’s film, MGM will partner with “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris to direct and write the film. He will also have Jennifer as one of the film producers.

Before MGM’s biopic film for Pryor, the latter’s life was documented by ABC last January in a film titled "The Last Days of Richard Pryor." The two-hour documentary featured the life and legacy of the iconic comedian.

Like Pryor, another iconic actor was remembered on his birthday. Late actor Chadwick Boseman, who's best known for his role as King T’Challa in the groundbreaking movie “Black Panther” was honored by his friends and family.

Many of his acting colleagues, including Lupita Nyong’o and Michael B. Jordan, paid an emotional tribute on social media to Boseman, who would have turned 44 last November 29.