Jun 11, 1980 · LOS ANGELES (UPI) -- Comedian Richard Pryor told doctors he was mixing cocaine with ether - a new drug craze known as "freebasing" - and the materials exploded in his face, causing …

Aug 5, 2021 · June 9, 1980, will always be remembered as the day Richard Pryor escaped death after he did the unthinkable. Let's take a deeper look into the happenings of that fateful day.

Feb 3, 2026 · Burn injuries left Pryor with lasting physical limits unrelated to later illness, which affected endurance and movement. Performance adapted through posture and delivery as his body no longer …

On June 9, 1980, Richard Pryor set himself on fire during a freebasing session at his home in San Fernando Valley, California. The incident left Pryor with severe burns on over 50% of his...

A television documentary, Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet,#*%$#@!! (2003) consisted of archival footage of Pryor's performances and testimonials from fellow comedians, including Dave Chappelle, Denis …

Sep 19, 2025 · He wasn’t just telling jokes; he was building a legacy that proved comedy could be rebellion, confession, and survival all at once. Richard Pryor didn’t just set himself on fire one night. …

Comedian Richard Pryor, who nearly died in a freak fire at his home three months ago, tells a nationwide television audience that he was "just happy to be alive."

Dec 12, 2005 · Comedian Richard Pryor talks with newswoman Barbara Walters in an interview after he was badly burned in an accident in his home one month earlier in this July 24, 1980 photo in Sherman...

Sep 16, 2023 · Yes, Richard Pryor suffered severe burns while freebasing cocaine in 1980, resulting in significant injuries. He incorporated this traumatic experience into his later comedy routines and...

As he ran on fire through traffic — panicked and in pain — he fought for his life. The burns scarred his body, but he wore them like a trophy. He was a changed man — all his demons burned down. Only …