Paul Mooney was a pioneering comic who was the writer for Richard Pryor, “In Living Color,” and “Chappelle’s Show.”
- Died: Wednesday, May 19, 2021. (Who else died on May 19?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 79 from a heart attack at his home in Oakland, California.
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Pryor’s comedy writer
Mooney had a long relationship with legendary comedian Richard Pryor (1940–2005), writing for his stand-up act, his skits on “Saturday Night Live,” and for Pryor’s popular comedy albums. He was also the head writer on “The Richard Pryor Show.”
Actor and writer
Mooney was also an actor who played characters on “Chappelle’s Show,” where he was also a writer. He was in Spike Lee’s “Bamboozled” and played legendary soul singer Sam Cooke in “The Buddy Holly Story.” Mooney was also a stand-up comic and wrote a memoir in 2007 titled “Black Is the New White.”
Mooney on his bond with Richard Pryor
“Opposites attract. It’s something I can’t really put my finger on. It was just supposed to be. And Richard and I really had nothing to do with it. It just had to be, like old souls.” – Popmatters interview – 2010
Tributes to Paul Mooney
Full Obituary: Variety
