Premium Content:

Wife of comedian Richard Pryor says he had 'dalliances' with men

A little over a year ago Producer Quincy Jones was criticised for suggesting a number of departed high profile stars were bisexual. In an interview Jones said that actor Marlon Brando, soul star Marvin Gaye and comedian Richard Pryor were all bisexual.

- Advertisement -

Now in a new documentary one of Richard Pryor’s wives has shared that the comedian often had “dalliances’ with men and was open with her about his bisexuality.

Pryor was married seven times, to five different women. He also had seven children from six women, three of which he was married to. He married two of his wives twice.

Jennifer Lee Pryor was married to the comedian from 1981 until 1982, but the remarried in 2001 and stayed together until Pryor’s death in 2006.

In a new interview with People magazine Jennifer, who is now 79, says her late husband was mostly interested in women, but did have encounters with other men. She says Quincy Jones suggestion that her husband had an affair with screen legend Marlon Brando was an overstatement.

“It certainly wasn’t an affair, it was a dalliance with Brando, as he had with other men,” Jennifer said. “Richard wasn’t gay, he just had dalliances. He preferred women over any other kind of experience, but he wasn’t loathe to have those experiences.”

The complicated life of the comedian is explored in a new documentary I Am Richard. While the comedian had a hugely successful stand up and film career, he also struggled with substance abuse and reportedly was a perpetrator of domestic violence.

Pryor suffered several heart attacks during his life, the first when he was just 38. In 1986 we was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis

For many years a film version of the comedians life has been in the works, OPrah WInfrey is attached as a producer on the project.

OIP Staff


 

 

Latest

On This Gay Day | Merle Miller declared what it means to be a homosexual

The essayist came out in 1971 when he published an landmark essay about homosexuality.

Queer Screen reveals exciting Mardi Gras Film Festival program

The festival will screen two weeks of LGBTIQA+ cinema as Sydney celebrates Mardi Gras across the city.

Equality Australia urges government to work with The Greens on hate speech laws

“Leaving any group unprotected implies their safety matters less and that violence against them is tolerated."

2026 WA Premier’s Book Awards open for nominations

This year's awards will have a total prize pool of $120,000 spread across eight categories.

Newsletter

Don't miss

On This Gay Day | Merle Miller declared what it means to be a homosexual

The essayist came out in 1971 when he published an landmark essay about homosexuality.

Queer Screen reveals exciting Mardi Gras Film Festival program

The festival will screen two weeks of LGBTIQA+ cinema as Sydney celebrates Mardi Gras across the city.

Equality Australia urges government to work with The Greens on hate speech laws

“Leaving any group unprotected implies their safety matters less and that violence against them is tolerated."

2026 WA Premier’s Book Awards open for nominations

This year's awards will have a total prize pool of $120,000 spread across eight categories.

‘Campfire’: Award-winning circus show heading to Fringe World

Fusing comedy, horror and circus, Campfire is taking audiences into the wilderness this Fringe World season.

On This Gay Day | Merle Miller declared what it means to be a homosexual

The essayist came out in 1971 when he published an landmark essay about homosexuality.

Queer Screen reveals exciting Mardi Gras Film Festival program

The festival will screen two weeks of LGBTIQA+ cinema as Sydney celebrates Mardi Gras across the city.

Equality Australia urges government to work with The Greens on hate speech laws

“Leaving any group unprotected implies their safety matters less and that violence against them is tolerated."