Eddie Murphy may pay tribute to Richard Pryor by playing his dad in the biopic Pryor
NewsEddie Murphy was always upfront about his heroes. He always said his biggest influence in comedy was the legendary Richard Pryor. Murphy often said in interviews that his earliest routines, while he was still finding his voice, was rehashing Pryor classic routines. Murphy cast Richard Pryor in his directorial debut, the as-far-as-I’m-concerned underrated gangster comedy Harlem Nights, as his mentor. Now, Murphy has a chance to turn that around. The 54-year-old comedian, actor, writer and director is in talks to play the father of legendary comedian, who would be 75 years old if he were alive today.
Eddie Murphy is in negotiations to play Richard Pryor’s dad Leroy Pryor in Lee Daniels’ upcoming biopic Pryor. Pryor will be played by Mike Epp.
“Strap in and brace yourself. They done let me and him out of our cages! #idonteventhinkimreadyforthisone! #excited #proud #OMG,” Daniels wrote on Instagram by way of an announcement.
Richard Pryor blasted through comic boundaries in his work, mining personal stories to paint a bigger picture of race, sex and social unease from a place that was more easily accessible and funny as hell. According to Richard himself, Pryor’s father was an alcoholic. Pryor was raised by his grandmother, who ran a cathouse. Pryor’s father was a professional boxer known as “Buck Carter.” He took turns with Pryor’s grandmother beating the young comedian.
Entertainment Tonight, who first reported casting news, previously announced that Kate Hudson will be playing Jennifer Lee Pryor, Pryor's fourth wife. Jennifer Lee Pryor is producing the movie along with Bruce Cohen.
