According to a 1999 profile article about Pryor in The New Yorker, Pryor was incarcerated for an incident that occurred while he was stationed in West Germany.

Jun 11, 1980 · LOS ANGELES (UPI) -- Comedian Richard Pryor told doctors he was mixing cocaine with ether - a new drug craze known as "freebasing" - and the materials exploded in his face, causing …

Mar 15, 2019 · Richard Pryor remains known for channeling his misfortune into groundbreaking comedy. But he was lucky to be alive after setting himself on fire in June 1980.

Aug 5, 2021 · After a few minutes, the fire department medics arrived, and Richard was transported in an ambulance to Sherman Oaks Community Hospital. Even though the talented comedian survived …

On June 9, 1980, comedian Richard Pryor set himself on fire while free-basing cocaine and drinking 151-proof rum. Pryor ran down his street in Northridge, Calif., until subdued by police.

He was on coke and freebase when he got severely burned. His widow, Jennifer Pryor, who was not married to him at the time, said she was at the house before the fire and feared he would hurt himself.

On this date in 1980, comedian Richard Pryor attempted suicide by setting himself on fire. After freebasing for several days at his Northridge, CA, home, he was in a cocaine-induced haze. He …

May 14, 2025 · That was Richard Pryor’s reflection, grim, sardonic, unforgettable, about the night he ignited himself while freebasing cocaine. He ran down the street, lit like a torch, chased by his own...

Apr 22, 2024 · On June 9, 1980, Richard Pryor was at home with some friends when his entire body caught on fire. He jumped out of the window and ran down the street while his clothes melted and …

Apr 8, 2024 · Richard Pryor may have been one of the funniest men to ever pick up a microphone, but his life was often characterized by misfortune and tragedy.