Like ‘Daddy Rich,’ Pryor was a true king

One of his most famous sketches came on “Saturday Night Live,” when he paired with Chevy Chase. Pryor played a job applicant and Chase was the man interviewing him. Chase engaged him in a word association test. But as each word became more racist than the next, Pryor became more agitated. Near the end, Chase tossed out another racist pejorative, to which Pryor replied, “Honky.” When Chase followed that with the “N” word, Pryor answered ominously, “Dead honky.” It remains one of the signature moments in SNL history.

Like any good ruler, the Daddy Rich-like influence from Richard Pryor extended to fellow comics far and wide. He touched untold numbers of followers, from Eddie Murphy to Whoopi Goldberg to Robin Williams to Rosanne. Said Chris Rock of Pryor’s effect on his career: “When I was a kid, nothing gave me more pleasure than to wait for my parents to leave the house so I could listen to a Richard Pryor album. I didn’t know it then, but by listening to those albums I was preparing myself for what I’m doing today. If I hadn’t listened to Richard as a kid, I’m sure I’d still be a comedian. The only difference is I’d really suck. Richard Pryor is the greatest comedian of all time.”

Although Daddy Rich was a schemer and a manipulator, the real Pryor in his standup act was the complete opposite. If he saw racism at work, he would call the culture on it, making us split our sides in the process. If he had a particular opinion of the way men related to women, he would educate us in the most unadulterated manner, to great applause and uncontrollable laughter. He was certainly no saint in his personal life, and maybe he lied to himself on more than one occasion. But when he grabbed the microphone, he never lied to his audiences.

In the early 1980s, he burned himself while freebasing cocaine, and it was later reported that the incident might have been a suicide attempt. In 1986, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and began fading from view. Much like Muhammad Ali was taken away from the public too early, Pryor receded from view, and his comic genius became available only through his films and TV appearances, concert DVDs and CDs.

But just like Daddy Rich, his place of honor is unassailable. He will be remembered for presiding over a comic citizenry that hung on his every word, even the dirty ones. Especially the dirty ones.

He made more people laugh — and inspired more people to make people laugh — than perhaps anyone who ever lived. Because of that, he’ll always rule.

Michael Ventre lives in Los Angeles and is a regular contributor to MSNBC.com.

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