Eddie Murphy to Portray Richard Pryors Father in Biopic

In Eddie Murphys stand-up classic Raw, the comedian reveals, Richard [Pryor] is the one who made me want to do comedy. When I was young, I wanted to be Richard Pryor so bad I used to sneak in the basement, put his albums on, and just listen I wanted to be Richard so bad, I used to go out on stage when I was 15 and talk and act and walk and everything like Richard Pryor. With that admiration in mind, Murphy has been cast to play an unexpected role in the upcoming Lee Daniels-directed Pryor biopic: LeRoy Buck Carter Pryor, the comedians abusive father.

Entertainment Tonightreports that Murphy has been recruited to portray Pryors boxer father in the film, which will star fellow comic Mike Epps in the role of the legendary comedian. Daniels Instagram later confirmed that he and Murphy were discussing the role when he posted a photowith the caption, Strap in and brace yourself. They done let me and him out of our cages!

Pryors routines were frequently informed by his relationship with his father, whether it was a bit about LeRoy Pryors early and unusual deathor a love of the sport of boxingthat often worked its way into his comedy.Entertainment Tonight writes that Kate Hudson was also cast to play Pryors fourth (and, after divorcing and then remarrying, his seventh and final) wife, Jennifer Lee Pryor. Murphy and Hudson will join a cast that already features Oprah Winfrey in the role of Pryors brothel-running grandmother Marie Carter.

In February, Murphy, who placed Number Two on Rolling Stones Saturday Night Live cast rankings, made his long-awaited return tothe show that helped launch his career for the series 40th anniversary special. As Norm Macdonald later revealed, Murphy turned down a cameo appearanceportraying the beleagueredBill Cosby in the Celebrity Jeopardy sketch because he would not kick a man when he is down. Both Cosby and Pryor were influential figures on Murphy as he entered the world of comedy, as this clip from Raw shows: