On Thursday, May 2nd, Richard Pryor Jr. offered fans, friends and some of his farther's co-stars a glimpse into the life of his iconic parent, Richard Pryor Senior, discussing his own self-proclaimed "Freakish Life" that paralleled his namesake and famous father's life in many ways, found in his new memoir. In A Pryor Life, already in its second printing only days after its release. The event began with the unveiling of a costume worn by Richard Pryor Jr in the film "College Debt" co-starring Lucille Ball's granddaughter, Katherine Luckinbill, Janet Carroll and Academy Award winner, Celeste Holmes, in what would be her last film. The costume will be included in the museum's upcoming Real to Reel: Perceptions and Portrayals of LGBTQ History in Film and Television.
Among the celebrated colleagues on hand to reminisce were
Teresa Ganzel (The Toy/The Duck Factory),
Alison Arngrim (Little House on the Prairie),
Geri Jewell (Facts of Life/Deadwood),
Kate Linder (The Young & the Restless),
Jaime Monroy (Comedian/TV Host),
Chrystee Pharris (Queens of Drama),
Jim Meskimen (Comedian/Inpersonator),
Barbara Van Orden (Producer),
Jeanne Russell (Denise the Menace), Elaine Ballace (The Rich & The Ruthless),
Alice Amter (Big Bang Theory),
Tracy Weisert (The Neighbors),
Jeremy Miller (Growing Pains),
Billy Van Zandt (Martin/The Hugelys), and more
Among the glitz, the glamour and the gutter topics discussed were how he was sexually abused by a friend of the family, Performing in drag (his father simply said "Just be the best at it."), a parallel life to his fathers and the addictive personality they shared and how his father talked him down from the drugs, doing drugs while working on "The Color Purple"the differences between life in his moms home and the other side of the family coin in a world of fame, celebrities, etc at father's home and how his father once said "Had I know I would become famous, I would never have cursed you with my name."
The Hollywood Museum (1660 N Highland Ave, LA 90028) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that houses over 10,000 Authentic Show Business Treasures spotlighting more than 100 years of Hollywood history - from the Silents to Talkies, to Hollywood's Golden Era, Film Noir, Television and its Pioneer Years, through the rebellious 60s, special effects 70s, evolving 80s, involved 90s, technological 2000s, and beyond to current day heartthrobs! The Hollywood Museum's exhibits showcase the best in film, network and cable television, and new digital platforms featuring iconic and fan favorites! Located in the heart of Hollywood, at the corner of Hollywood Blvd and Highland Ave - The Hollywood Museum in the historic Max Factor Building is the Official Museum of Hollywood and offers visitors the most extensive collection of Hollywood memorabilia in the world featuring the glamour of Hollywood legends and stars - past, present and in the making. The museum offers one-of-a-kind costumes, props, photographs, scripts, stars' car collections, personal artifacts, posters, and memorabilia from favorite stars, films and TV shows. Just a few steps from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Museum has been named the #1 top tourist attraction in Hollywood by LA Weekly, and one of the "Top 10" Museums in LA by the LA Tourism and Convention Board and Trip Advisor.
Photo Credit: Bill Dow Photography
