Happy Friday! Today’s Famous Friday features the actress Rain Pryor.
Pryor is of White and African-American descent and was born in 1969 to Shelly R. Bonus and Richard Pryor. Her mother was a Jewish dancer, and her father is a well-known comedian. Growing up, Pryor was mainly raised by her grandparents who taught her their Jewish culture.
Throughout her career, she starred in several series’ such as Head of the Class, Rude Awakening, guest starred in series including The Division and Chicago Hope, and appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and The Tavis Smiley Show.
Furthermore, she has performed as Billie Holiday in the Billie Holiday Story located in the UK in addition to playing Ella Fitzgerald in the UK show of Ella, Meet Marylin. Also, she continued her career in LA by performing in productions such as Joan by Linda Chambers where she played Joan of Arc, Cookin’ with Gas, The Exonerated with the famous actor Aidan Quinn, and The Who’s Tommy.
During her career, she received several awards including the 2015 British Urban Film Festival honorary award, the 2008 Marin Services For Women Founders Award, the 2005 NAACP Theatre Award, Best Female Performer Equity, and the 2005 Invisible Theatre’s Goldie Klein Guest Artist Award. She was also nominated for the 2007 NAACP Image Award, Best New Author Biography, 2007 African American Literary Award, 2005 NAACP Best Original Playwright Equity, and the 2004 Los Angeles Ovation Awards, Best Solo Performance. Throughout her life, she has argued against anti-semitism and fought for Black Lives Matter. As a Multiracial actress and representative, her accomplishments continue to remind other Multiracial individuals around the world that one can participate in all aspects of their culture.
Ella Garrison, Project RACE Teen Vice-President
Photo Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_Pryor