Episode Details

Richard Pryor grew up in his grandmother's brothel, was molested as a child, and set himself on fire while freebasing cocaine. He turned every one of those experiences into material so honest and so funny that he redefined what stand-up comedy could be. Before Pryor, comedians told jokes. After Pryor, the best ones told the truth.

This episode traces Pryor from his childhood in Peoria through his breakthrough on the comedy circuit, his self-immolation, his multiple sclerosis diagnosis, and his lasting influence on every comedian who followed him.

• He grew up in a brothel run by his grandmother in Peoria, Illinois
• He set himself on fire while freebasing cocaine in 1980 and nearly died
• He is widely considered the most influential stand-up comedian of all time
• His concert films Live in Concert and Live on the Sunset Strip set the standard for stand-up specials